Update 05.01.2010
Happy New Year!
Now it is official: after long considerations and amicable negotiations I have signed a new employment contract today and will thus start working on April 1st this year as managing director (and co-owner) of BSH Group in Germany, being based in Bremen, where I already have a beautiful appartement.
July 30th
Apologies for not keeping up with my English edition of many reports written in the meantime. Now back in Singapore, I hope to catch up on it soon.
The other day, when walking the rotunda in the La Trobe Reading Room in the dignity laden Victoria State Library, I stopped at the poetry section, grabbed a heavy, leather-bound book by random and started reading at one of the many old desks in the magnificent room:
"A Fantasy of Man", Henry Lawson, Complete Works 1901 - 1922,
and found the following poem:
The Two Poets
Two poets were born where skies were fair,
To live in the land hereafter;
And one was a singer of sorrow and care,
And one was a bard of laughter.
With simple measure and simple word,
The feelings of mankind voicing -
And light hearts listened and sad hearts heard,
And they went on their way rejoicing.
The glad rejoiced that the world was gay -
Who took no thought of the morrow -
And it ever has lightened the sad heart's way
To hear of another's sorrow.
The poets died while none were aware,
(For no one could see the token),
That light of heart was the bard of care,
But the heart of the other was broken.
June 2oth: amendment re Bangkok
Alas, Bangkok, vow, what a mad city. The approach was brief: the Lonely Planet, bought at the airport and partially consumed on the 2-hour flight, gave me an idea of what I was up to, which has nonetheless, looking back now, fallen short of the experience proper. The whole fascination unfolds, and is most ideally expressed with the description of a wet market in Khlong Toey, which appears like a mirror of all the symphonies and contradictions of this city.
An unknown variety of fish, meat, fruit and vegetable, mostly not seen before, alive or dead, raw and processed, lies half-heartedly cooled in the stuffy stinking heat. At noon, no other Caucasian except for me can be found near or far, the Thais are among themselves, astonishing with regards to the central location, not far from Lumphini Park, and the experience as such. Like the already cut catfish still jerking so strongly that they jump the bowl, only to be put back by the annoyed young man. Beautiful, young women slaughter here and there, cutting poultry or disembowelling fish, first unimpressed, then smiling once they realise my wonder. And on I go, into each lane! On the cage utterly filled with poor chicken, lie, in high piles, their dead and naked cousins. A fate shared by the ducks. The coolies in red vests push their carts hastily through the crowd or stand and talk idle. A friendly older woman, already done with her shopping for an expectantly delicious thom yam soup, addresses me in surprisingly good English and explains this and that to me, especially the boneless chicken feet, I don’t believe it. She donors me a mangosteen and disappears as quick as she came. From afar we wave to each other most friendly, before I dive into the next market stand…
Much is to be said about the nightlife and of the cultural wonders, but I wish to leave some to everyone’s fantasy.
June 13th, 2009
After moving house within Singapore an a brief trip to Bangkok 10 days ago, I have just returned to beautiful Bali: www.bali-seminyak-villas.com/villas/akara/index.html
May 4th, 2009
After six weeks of abundant travel I’m back again in Singapore. The intensity of experiences and impressions has almost been too dense. Still all captivated by the charms of Bali, after brief stays in Singapore, northern Germany and Zurich, I found myself suddenly standing on top of a mountain in Austria in a sunny landscape of snow, wondering if I would make it down the slope on my skies in one piece – well, I did. Over Easter I stayed at my birthplace, naturally, and travelled between Bremen and Oldenburg thereafter. And even made it to Berlin. On April 25th I reached Singapore with my beloved mom and sister-in-law and showed them the city for a few days. Alone for a few days now, I take time to reflect a little on the recent past, to get things done and to prepare moving house.
Sydney
doesn’t smell like other cities in the summer, no, Sydney scents. I couldn’t find the source for
it, but surely that most beautiful flora, especially in the Botanical Gardens,
has to do with it. Even within the famous Opera House, which has come into its
years a little, I meant to sense the perfume of flowers during a performance of
“Madame Butterfly”. It is a pleasance wherever you are, besides the already
nice parks and shorelines, not to mention the Harbour Bridge.
Nonetheless, I joyfully left the city for an afternoon to get to Bondi Beach
by bus, in less than an hour. Bondi
Beach: the post card
panorama that has become real: sand beach, rocks, strong waves and blue-green,
clean waters. Melbourne, on the contrary, is different with
the characteristic, likeable smell of a city, and a completely diverse charm,
which often is referred to as European. Here I enjoyed cafes that are second to
none I had thus far. In my opinion there is good reason to rank Melbourne, next to Vancouver,
among the most liveable cities in the world. And adorable: how the society in
the morbid charm of the Windsor Hotel tries to imitate British class during
High Tea and fails without regrets. Running in the early morning, in Botanical
Gardens just the same, which are likewise to Sydney near the city centre, with a hot morning sun and
subtropical vegetation, is heart warming indeed. And again we go for a trip, to
Phillip Island (instead of the Great Ocean Road), southeast of the city, to try
some of the astonishingly good products of small winemakers. The land is hot
and meagre. What a contrast to the very cool and pristine ocean waters in the
south of Tasmania,
into which I jumped finally after a few rounds with a kayak. Here, just outside
of the capital Hobart,
all is width and drought, inhabited by few people, but many wallabies (small
kangaroo). The friendliness, hospitality and practicability of the folks are
even more stunning than in the other two places I visited. Naturally, there is
a barbecue every day, with heavy steaks and lots of booze, but also oysters
that could be eaten directly from a private beach – there is no fresher way! Two weeks
have passed already since this trip to Australia,
and my enthusiasm with the country and its folks lingers on while reading Bruce
Chatwin’s “Songlines”, for no one can escape the fascination and the tragedy of
the Aboriginals when dealing with Australia. The enthusiasm isn’t
difficult to uphold, next to the above mentioned, because the culinary
pleasures earn highest respect, while being quite affordable. Of course I have
to mention the positive impact of having my good friend Harveen with me, except for Sydney. In the
meantime I managed to get a lot of things done with regards to my professional
exit and the activities ahead. Coming Tuesday I will travel to Bali for a week, some days alone, then friends will
follow. After a couple more days in Singapore
I will head to Europe for the Easter break.
Feb 20th, 2009
Well, here we go with my travels! Last night I reached Melbourne with my buddy Harveen, and of course I am all excited about the European flair with beautiful sunshine and a nice breeze. Small alleys with cafes and bars invite to a light lunch with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc, and the coffee culture here is very sophisticated. Until tomorrow I will have a look at the StarIntellect office, the start up company whose Advisory Board I joined some two years ago, and of course this charmingly inviting city. Saturday afternoon we will fly to Hobart, Tasmania, until coming Tuesday, when I will proceed to Sydney via Melbourne - since I'm in the area. The last weeked in February I will come back to Melbourne for a planned trip along the Great Ocean Road, before heading back to Singapore.
I was quite busy recently, which is why I didn't manage to answer all the very friendly and encouraging mail I have received subsequently to my farewell announcement from the bank - which I will do still, only in March now. Thus: soon more!
Feb 10th, 2009
For more than a week I have stayed at home so far and enjoy my so called “garden leave”, the absence from office until my contract expires March 31st. Other than expected, this unfolds nicely and calmly. Since I can’t start any new job activities for the time being, I take care of myself, living a sportive and healthy life, exploiting the nice facilities of my condo and get things done that usually remain untouched. Nevertheless, the abundance of time spent alone needs getting used to. The same counts for the fact that my attention is not being pulled anymore, but rather requires my active approach. But that way I can develop the necessary peace of mind to develop solid future perspectives.
My exit from the bank was quite relaxed after all. I cleared my office right on time and could thus amuse myself on the farewell party that dear colleagues had organised for me.
To sum it up: I’m doing pretty good at the moment!
Jan. 27th, 2009