Visiting a Townmate and Other New Places: Photos

Visiting a Townmate and Other New Places

There was this email circulating once in the internet said to be
authored by the Dalai Lama encouraging readers to visit at least
one unknown place once a year. I did that last week but only
after I met up with a townmate whom I have not seen in years.
I discovered Linda M., my townmate through FB but her phone
number was given to me by her brother when I was visiting the
home country last year. How funny that we live in the same state
but really have not met in all the years that we are both residing
in Alemanya. We have to renew contact, exchange more stories
and keep in touch. Some of those perks in keeping an account
with such social networking: sharing funny incidents in the
past, in the village where we both spent our childhood,
recalling names of people and events, and exchanging some
heartaches and frustrations about the situation back home.
Could we imagine settling there for good? I think we both have
the same thing in mind just like other migrant women.
In the meantime, we will follow what the Dalai Lama is sending
through the internet...go somewhere where you've never been
to before...at least once a year.

Concert with the University of Santo Tomas Singers

For a change...Germany in the midst of football fever, we found out
that a visiting Philippine choral group was to give a concert in
Grevenbroich. Emma B. and Manang Agnes arranged for the
reservation of the tickets with lunch and merienda at the home of
one Ella T. in Rheydt. Lunch with concert! A rare treat. Kare-kare
with fried fish and guinataang sari-sari. Concert was not in
Grevenbroich but in Korschenbroich...also with broich but
definitely another place in NRW.
To keep the story short as I have to see another match, Spain vs.
Switzerland, I'm posting a video clip of one of my fav songs
rendered by all visiting choral groups...Waray-Waray...the song
of the strong Waray-Waray women.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvdCGbXkJcI

60th Anniversary of DIG, Deutsch-Indonesische Gesellschaft e.V.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-yVoNx4mbg

In celebration of the 60th Anniversary of DIG,
Deutsch-Indonesische Gesellschaft e.V. (German-Indonesian Society),
a series of cultural program has been initiated by the association
since the start of the year 2010. The latest event organized by DIG
was a benefit concert to support an alternative program for girls'
football training in West Papua.
Here's a snippet of news on the benefit concert as published by
the local newspaper, KSTA.

Musik und Tanz fürs Nationalteam

Von Norbert Ramme, 07.06.10, 18:16h, aktualisiert 08.06.10, 12:34h
Balinesische und kölsche Klänge gab es bei einem Konzert zugunsten des Mädchenfußballs in der indonesischen Provinz Papua. Die Brüder Rainer und Timo Scheunemann hatten zeitweilig das indonesische Frauenteam trainiert.
Frauenfußball in Indonesien

Bestseller-Autorin Sabine Kuegler (2. v. l.) und Straßenmusiker Klaus der Geiger teilten sich das Programm in der Musikhochschule mit den Tänzern (v. l.) Wayan Pica, Nyoman Sukahajai und Monica van der Haagen-Wulf. (Bild: Rakoczy)
Frauenfußball in Indonesien

Bestseller-Autorin Sabine Kuegler (2. v. l.) und Straßenmusiker Klaus der Geiger teilten sich das Programm in der Musikhochschule mit den Tänzern (v. l.) Wayan Pica, Nyoman Sukahajai und Monica van der Haagen-Wulf. (Bild: Rakoczy)
Köln - Mit balinesischen Tempeltänzen und kölscher Straßenmusik wurde in der Musikhochschule für den Mädchenfußball in Papua geworben. Fußball zählt in dieser Provinz im Osten Indonesiens zu den beliebtesten Freizeitbeschäftigungen. Und aus Papua stammten kürzlich auch einige Mitglieder der indonesischen Frauennationalmannschaft, die zeitweilig von dem evangelischen Pfarrer Rainer Scheunemann („Ich hab die B-Lizenz der Uefa“) und dessen Bruder Timo Scheunemann (besitzt den A-Schein des DFB) trainiert und betreut wurde. Trotz einiger Erfolge - die Mädels hatten sich nach einigen Siegen bei Turnieren in der Weltrangliste auf Platz 68 vorgearbeitet - wurde das Projekt Nationalmannschaft vor einigen Monaten wieder eingestellt. „Das hängt auch mit der Korruption im indonesischen Fußballverband zusammen“, sagt Pfarrer Scheuneman. „Wenn kein Geld fließ, lässt man es lieber sein.“

Um die Begeisterung der Frauen und Mädchen auf Papua für den Fußball weiter zu unterstützen, hatte die in Köln beheimatete Deutsch-Indonesische Gesellschaft (DIG) um den Vorsitzenden Karl Mertes , die in diesem Jahr ihr 60-jähriges Bestehen feiert, in der Musikhochschule eine Benefiz-Veranstaltung organisiert. Motto: „Kicken für die Zukunft.“ Während Schriftstellerin Sabine Kuegler einige Passagen aus ihrem Bestseller „Dschungelkind“ vorlas und mit dem Publikum diskutierte , stimmte Scheunemann zur Gitarre Volkslieder aus Papua an und erläuterte die Hintergründe der Fußball-Initiative: „Ziel ist, diesen Mädchen durch Fußball zu Selbstbewusstsein und Selbstwertgefühl zu verhelfen und gleichzeitig ein Nationalteam aufzubauen.“

Dazu zeigten Nyoman Sukahajai und Wayan Pica Tänze aus Bali, Monica van der Haagen-Wulf präsentierte traditionelle Tänze mit Masken und Klaus der Geiger stimmte einige seine bekannten Protestsongs an. „Das ist hier ein buntes Programm für ein sinnvolles Projekt. Da mache ich gerne mit.
http://www.ksta.de/html/artikel/1273823380676.shtml

www.dig-koeln.de

Bhutan, Heilige Kunst aus dem Himalaya

The kingdom of Bhutan, wedged between the major powers of India and China, is the only country in the world where Tantric Buddhism is the official religion. The government does not merely measure its achievement in terms of economic growth, but has made “Gross National Happiness” for its roughly 700,000 inhabitants and the protection of the environment its most important guiding principle.
This exhibition was realised after five years of preparatory work by a team of American experts under the aegis of the Honolulu Academy of Arts in cooperation with the Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs of the Royal Government of Bhutan and the leaders of the monastic body. The exhibition will present sacred objects from monasteries and temples which are still in active use in Buddhist rituals. For this reason they are only accessible to the general public on special ceremonial occasions. The 117 objects from the 8th to the 20th century comprise Thangkas (religious scroll paintings) executed in bright mineral colours, gilded sculptures and ritual objects. It will be the most representative and comprehensive exhibition of sacred art from Bhutan ever shown.
In Europe, these sacred objects from the Himalayan kingdom will – after their first stop in Paris – be shown only at the Museum of East Asian Art in Cologne and the Museum Rietberg in Zurich. Two monks from Bhutan will accompany the exhibition and offer visitors the rare opportunity to experience the ritual practices of Tantric Buddhism at first hand in Buddhist cleansing ceremonies, which will be conducted twice daily. In addition, the monks will create a sand mandala in the exhibition rooms over a period of several weeks. The ritual Cham dances – another aspect of religious life in Bhutan – will be presented in impressive video displays.
Taken from
http://www.museenkoeln.de/museum-fuer-ostasiatische-kunst/default.asp?s=240

Alltags...one poster about a bank

On my way to the weekend market to fetch fresh fish coming from
Holland,I saw this poster. It carries the message..."every person
has something which moves him...we make the way free for you."
Instantly, I thought of one thing. Where are the women?
Just tellers and typists in this country where Gleichberectingung
or equal opportunity is written with capital G.
Calling German CEOs, come to my country and see how women are
handling high positions in banking business.

Film for the day, Robin Hood

Robin Hood
engl. Originalversion
12 J.
täglich um 16:45 Uhr + 21:15 Uhr
USA 2010 - Action/Drama - 140 Min. - D.: Ridley Scott - C.: Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett, Mark Strong

In 13th century England, Robin and his band of marauders confront corruption in a local village and lead an uprising against the crown that will forever alter the balance of world power. And whether thief or hero, one man from humble beginnings will become an eternal symbol of freedom for his people. Robin Hood chronicles the life of an expert archer, previously interested only in self-preservation, from his service in King Richards army against the French. Upon Richards death, Robin travels to Nottingham, a town suffering from the corruption of a despotic sheriff and crippling taxation, where he falls for the spirited widow Lady Marian, a woman skeptical of the identity and motivations of this crusader from the forest. Hoping to earn the hand of Maid Marian and salvage the village, Robin assembles a gang whose lethal mercenary skills are matched only by its appetite for life. Together, they begin preying on the indulgent upper class to correct injustices under the sheriff.
Taken from Metropolis-Koeln

State Election in NRW

Two important happenings in a day. One, the traditional
Mother's Day falling on the second Sunday of May and the
other one is the State election in North Rhine-Westphalia.
Above are some of the posters which are still hanging on
some lamp posts in our village and the local papers for the day.
The winners will be left hanging there for a while with renewed
posters saying thanks to the voters while the losers would surely
be removed even on the night after election.
Now, we will just to have to wait which promises would be
kept...no more tuition fees for example and which colors of parties
would form a coalition.
In the meantime, we would still see lots of talk shows and
interviews with political personalities and hear the reasons
for their victory or defeat.

Network of Imaginary Mothers, A Special Prayer on Mother''s Day

Cheers to all Mothers!

Network of the Imaginary Mother

Blessed be my brain
that I may conceive of my own power.
Blessed be my breast
that I may give sustenance to those I love.
Blessed be my womb
that I may create what I choose to create.
Blessed be my knees
that I may bend so as not to break.
Blessed be my feet
that I may walk in the path of my highest will.

Robin Morgan

Same procedure as in every first of May...der Maibaum

(Photo is taken from Koelner Stadt Anzeiger. Photographer:
Kathy Stolzenbach)
Spring weather since start of the week. Am feeling thankful
for wishes granted and did a short walk in the village
into the open fields colored now yellow, green and brown.
Sunny first day in May. While demonstrations are being
planned in most cities by labour unions with Berlin's
First of May demonstration getting the most media coverage,
I'm on the lookout for these Maibaueme in our neighborhood.
Yesterday, I saw a young man riding on a bike carrying
a Maibaum which was still wrapped in a white net...a modern
Romeo carrying the proof of his love. When will he put it
up, I was wondering and where? Got the trees but did not
see any lovers outside. Maybe they are all still sleeping
from the late dancing on the eve of May 1st.




Ending my brisk walking at the neigborhood flower shop, I saw
a young man carrying a pot of a tall hibiscus plant to the cashier.
He is more practical, I thought. I waited for my turn to pay for my
two bottles of white wine for my Romeo...well, also for me to drink
with our first asparagus for this season, our first asparagus in the
month of May.

What a Feast! Spring at its most beautiful...in Keukenhof, Holland

Capturing the splendour of a Dutch spring season in some photos
taken during my visit to Keukenhof this April.
Theme for this year: From Russia with Love

Start of Art Cologne 2010 and not to forget Eyjafjallajoekull

"Art is still not where you think you're going to find it."...from
the French artist, Patrick Mimran. I was reading it our local
papers Koelner-Stadt-Anzeiger featuring the preparation for this
year's Art Cologne.
Stealing the limelight from this event is the eruption of
Eyjafjallajoekull vulcan in Iceland producing tons and tons of
ashes in the atmosphere which caused chaos in all European airports
and financial loses reaching more than 200 million dollars or
148 million Euro for airline companies per day.
I'm wondering what happens to all those expensive airflown
papayas and mangoes?

Volcanic activities in Iceland affecting Germany

The weather this Friday is sunny but mostly cloudy.
Would like to attribute it to the reported gathering of ash
covering Western Europe caused by a vulcan eruption in Iceland.
I remember one news report mentioning that Pinatubo ashes were
reaching as far as Munich when it erupted in 1991.
Hmmmm, how many extinct volcanoes are there actually in
Germany, I wonder.

Celebrating Abitur

Was shortly at the city today and got attracted to these
colorfully clad girls munching bread in front of this
huge bakery in Cologne. They seemed to be preparing
for something and I waited. Soon they were spreading
their Isomatten/mats. Screaming and whistling followed.
I found out that they were candidates for Abitur, the
school-leaving examinations for high school in Germany.
To celebrate their graduation or finishing school, they
planned to hold a five-day impromptu performances on the
shopping streets of Cologne.
Today was Fitness for fun. Asking some of
them if they have especial message or why they are doing
the instant shows, the answer was simply they want to have
fun. School is over. University life starts soon.

Pasalubong Galore

Ordering pasalubongs is now easier...even the last minute
pasalubong order is possible with our access to internet and
texting possibilities. As hubby was doing a reportage during the
Easter week in Wow Country, I was pestering him this time
to bring me Pasalubong,
not the big travel souvenirs as dust collectors but just
heavenly tasting Ube Halaya,
a especialty of my elder sister, and the world famous
hopyas from Chinatown. It is my third order for hopyas
and no one as of writing has been successful in getting them.
I heard during my brief visit in Holland that bags are now rigidly
controlled, opened and even contents are thrown away which as
you could imagine cause so much heartaches for returning Pin@y
travellers. A returning Pinay lost the content of her delayed
suitcase which I learned later to be packs of tuyo (dried fish)
and maybe other intriguingly smelling goodies from the home
country. I wonder what happens to such confiscated goodies?
Thrown away, feed to the sniffing dogs or brought home
as doggie bags by Customs/airport officials and workers who know
by now that such smelling goodies could only enrich their
taste buds and culinary experience.

When the dear "kabiyak ng puso" returned recently from
a reportage travel in the Wow Country, he surprised me with
packs of Pasalubongs which I religiously reminded him
to bring back: my ube halaya (sweet violet yam jam), mangoes and
pandisal. There were small packets of dried, mini-mini anchovies,
(dilis) dried kamias, some pieces of Kalamansi (native citrus),
small heads of native garlic (hubby's most fav travel souvernir
in addition to his books), first home-grown papaya from
my elder sister who also did this labour of love in preparing
the Yam jam, small packets of sampaloc and other Phlippine spices.
What a especial treat from hubby who is learning to capitulate
to the texting and emailings of wifey for these treasures from the
homeland.
Forecast this weekend is sunny and with these precious
Pasalubongs to enjoy, I would not care if it rains cats and
dogs again. Meanwhile, hubby is still sleeping, recuperating from
the heroic act as Pasalubong carrier.


In return for his consideration, I think I would let him indulge in
his passion for garlic and just bear the garlicky days ahead in our flat.
Nope, he also did not get the world famous hopyas from Chinatown.
Nabitin na talaga ang hopyas!

Happy Easter!

...there's a never ending refrain in the return of nature, once
reading it but could not remember the author but I sent the
greetings to nice friends and social networking contacts adding
that whatever beliefs you have, have a nice Easter.
As additional blog post, I'm pasting here a short info on what
Easter is all about. I thought the word must be lacking in
letter N when I was learning English some light years away. It
reminds me all the time of a Manang Ester we had, actually two
Manang Ester (Manang-older sister)and thought then they had
beautiful, meaningful names, Ester.
So here's the brief info I found in another sites
It is celebrated as the religious holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Easter is also the time of spring festivals.
But the celebrations of Easter have many aspects that are pagan in origin and not associated with Christianity. The name Easter is thought to come from the goddess of mythology "Eastre,". She is associated with spring and fertility. Her festival was celebrated on the day of the vernal equinox. Traditions associated with her festival survive in the Easter Bunny, a symbol of fertility, and in colored easter eggs that were painted with bright colors to represent the sunlight of spring and given as gifts.
The Christian celebration of Easter encompasses a number of traditions with emphasis on the relation of Easter to the Jewish Passover. The early Christians, many of whom were of Jewish origin, were brought up in the Hebrew tradition and regarded Easter as a new feature of the Passover festival, a commemoration of the advent of the Savior as foretold by the prophets. Easter is observed on the first Sunday following the full moon that occurs on or following the spring equinox (March 21). So Easter became a feast which can occur as early as March 22 or as late as April 25. Easter is at the end of Lent. The Lent is a period of penitence in preparation for Easter. Lent ends with Easter Sunday, the day of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
http://persiankittens.net/Easter/

My Easter Thoughts
Earl J. Prignitz
March 31, 2007
The Resurrection is the most important event in the life of the
Christian Church! Not the birth of Jesus, nor his ministry, nor his
crucifixion are as critical as his Resurrection from the grave.
Obviously the Resurrection could not have happened without the
previous phenomenons occuring. But without the Resurrection the
Church of Jesus Christ would not have survived these many years.
That is my conviction and I hold it strongly.
I have been convinced of this for many years.

After the crucifixion and burial of their master the disciples were
terrified and disconsolate men, hiding fearfully behind barred
doors in an upper room in Jerusalem. They trembled at every
knock on the door; they feared the same fate that had befallen Him.
But after they had been convinced--and they were not easily
assured, as the various Resurrection narratives make quite clear--
they were men transformed.
Fear was transformed into courage, uncertainty into a strong and
radiant faith. Immediatly they were out in the open streets of the
city that had dealt so brutally with their master, proclaiming with
passion and joy the great salvation that had been wrought through
this mighty vindication of His son by the almighty God.

The Resurrection has very little to do with spring, except that we
celebrate Easter then. There is some symbolism involved in those
Easter eggs, in the idea of new life emerging, in the budding of
trees and the appearance of flowers, and in the earth's recovering
from the death-grip of winter. But the Resurrection is so much more.

The Resurrection is the power of God which raised Jesus Christ
from death to life. Ephesians speaks of that power "which He
exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him
at His right hand in the heavenly realms..." (Eph 1:20, NIV).
That is the Resurrection! It transcends season, and it even
by-passes revered religious rites and rituals, because it is
centered in the dust and trauma, the blood, sweat, tears, hopes,
and dreams of all human existence.

Yes, the Resurrection is the Good News that there is life after death
and we can look forward to it with great anticipation. HAPPY EASTER!
I am a retired Friends pastor - 93 years of age and a dedicated
peace lover. I have been a pacifist for well over 70 years. I spent
39 years of my life in one form of ministry or another in
4 different states. I am now living in Friends Fellowship
Community and have been for over 9 years after suffering from
two strokes just prior to that. I am married for the second time to
a lovely woman named Rosalie.My first wife died in 1996 after
we were married for over 61 years.
From
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/23159
******************************************************
Happy Easter whatever your beliefs are.

News Sharing: GMA's German Cut

Editorial
GMA’s German cut


Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 22:07:00 03/28/2010

Filed Under: Government

IT was when Philippine Ambassador to Germany and former foreign secretary Delia Albert received the “Most Outstanding Filipino Woman in Global Diplomacy” award from President Macapagal-Arroyo in ceremonies in Malacañang that she received confirmation, from the President herself, of the swirling rumors. She was being replaced.

The smile-while-I-stick-the-knife-in-your-back announcement was part of a wave of recent presidential appointments, all made despite the election-period ban. Justice Secretary Alberto Agra, himself a new appointee, said there was “nothing irregular” with the latest round of mass hirings and dismissals. In a sense, he was right. Albert’s sudden replacement, together with other secretive appointments such as those involving the National Historical Institute and the National Museum, are in fact characteristic of Ms Arroyo’s management style. The last-minute advice to affected parties, the general lack of transparency (the Senate and House representatives to the board of the National Museum, for instance, were not informed of a key meeting), the strained rationalizations offered after the fact and, above all, the plain lack of courtesy—this recent wave of appointments has the President’s signature down to the last flourish.

The rationalizing of her spokespersons was characteristic too. The Palace had violated the strict protocols that govern diplomatic appointments, in part by skipping certain necessary steps, but all deputy spokesman Gary Olivar could say was: “No, it wasn’t hasty.” And that was that; no elaboration or explanation.

If it wasn’t hasty, why wasn’t Albert told well beforehand, following the usual 60-day recall notice, so that she could prepare for her return and advise the German foreign ministry? If it wasn’t hasty, why did the announcement of her replacement by the 87-year-old taipan Alfonso Yuchengco catch the Department of Foreign Affairs flatfooted? A DFA spokesperson was left to say, awkwardly: “We have learned of Yuchengco’s appointment but we have not received official copy of his appointment. Ambassador Albert stays so far.”

More crucial is the fact of replacement. Why would the Philippines appoint a new ambassador to Germany who can, at most, and assuming all legal obstacles are hurdled, serve for only three months? Yuchengco, the man behind Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. and other business interests, served the country as ambassador, at various times, to Japan, China and the United Nations. But even a diplomat with his experience cannot hope to do anything substantial in a mere three months.

The president of the Union of Foreign Service Officers, Assistant Secretary Vicky Bataclan, expressed her peers’ main concern. “Our beef is that Mr. Alfonso Yuchengco’s appointment is void. There is no Commission on Appointments to confirm his nomination, which is [needed for] the necessary steps, like requesting his agrément from the German government. In any case, all political ambassadors are coterminous with [the President]. This is, thus, a useless nomination to a nonexistent CA, almost void ab initio, if not unconstitutional.”

Like we said, characteristic of the President’s management style.

There is also the matter of the election ban. In the Supreme Court’s most controversial ruling to date, it decided that the President could appoint the Chief Justice even during election season, when the Constitution expressly prohibits appointments except for urgent requirements in the Executive. The President’s latest wave of appointments crashes against the breakwater of this decision (it certainly makes the majority justices even more vulnerable to accusations of being used, whether willfully or naively, by a Machiavellian administration).

Belatedly, administration spokespersons have argued that the latest appointments were all done before March 10, the date the election ban started. But one of those dismissed, Clarence Paul Oaminal, until very recently vice chairman of the Dangerous Drugs Board, gave the lie to the Palace’s party line.

When he was informed of his misfortune, he said, he found out that his dismissal was made retroactive to March 5, or before the election ban took effect. Expect the same unkindest cut to be tried with Albert and the rest.

Good Neighborhood: Little Things Mean a Lot

There might not be any sun this weekend but my
dear neighbor Ursula S.was a shinning source of
joy when she knocked on our door and just handed me
this bunch of tulips saying "for simply being
a nice neighbor," and she meant me!

She declined to be my friend in Facebook as she wouldn't want
to have anything to do with any social networking. I also
prefer her that way...a friend, a thoughtful neighbor in person and
not just per clicking in virtual life.
Hmmmm, how do I return such simple gestures of niceness when
her husband got threatened when I knock on their door with
a plate of fingergoodies to taste. Would you care for a freshly
brewed gumamela (hibiscus) tea, dear Mr. S.?

Spring Again!

"It's spring again
and the birds on the wing again
start to sing again
the old melody"
Frank Sinatra

According to the calendar,it is the official
start of Spring, March 20.
Time to change the wardrobe, maybe get a new
haircut, new hair color,out of the greying zone,
get friends for brunch in street cafes, check
on the few potted tulips in the terrace. Emma B.,
a friend who has a green thumb even for cultivating
Alugbati* inside their
house suggested to loosen
the soil a bit so the tulips get out of their
wintry hiding. Nothing of that sort happens yet so one
buys ready to go tulips from the supermarket and
gets out with thick jacket and gloves not forgetting
the handy umbrella.
*Alugbati...I wrote the usual what is alugbati in
English, googled it and got this answer: Malabar Night Shade.
Other source said it is a kind of spinach. One more point
learned while waiting for spring.

A nook of your own

I love drinking coffee even if I am alone. Solo eating, no.
In Frankfurt, I found this place recommended by
friends who also frequent this cafe.

For this set of croissant with cappuccino rather caffe macchiato
you pay 4.90Euro.

Nice nook to read or just to observe.

City Tips

For those who are thinking of visiting some cities in Germany, here
are some photos I took while visiting Frankfurt.
Photos show the area near Dom/Roemer, the magnet for all
tourists.
Just to give you a rough idea how much fare costs:
With ICE train from Cologne to Frankfurt and back,
about 112 Euro. Check for cheaper tickets with
German trains. Trains could be b....expensive
in Germany.

Getting back to blogging...Lit Koeln

Sunday, March 14
Another rainy and grey Sunday this month of March.
Have to fight the addiction to click to my Farm
and talk to some avatars in this small network of buddies
I have created since I started virtual farming. You really
miss them and that's what this game is all about...you have
your own mini world of contacts, not just the thrill of getting
XP experience points and coins from virtual harvesting, plowing
and planting...you get wishes, greetings, small talks, weather
checks from countries of your buddies, their work situation.
I have one dancing partner every now and then, and one woman
who calls me Hun...or ends her sentence with that term. Funny,
but endearing somehow.So while waiting for my pineapples to
mature and hating the thought that I have to sort papers out again,
I'm getting back to blogging...adding spice to my own private
conversation.
I bumped into Manuel last Saturday while rushing to get my
train home. He said he had just returned from Lissabon the other
day but mentioned about a visiting Portuguese author who is
participating in this yearly LitCol,
http://litcolony.de/
said to be the biggest of its kind in Europe, a literary event.

What I have been missing by being a virtual farmer?
Read not reap the virtual fruits...the new slogan for me.