Karola Klier

Oh, we know our place. We know almost every corner, every tree and wall, every neighbor and dog in the place we live. We know every move and sound; we even know the smell of mornings and evenings. We know our place so well that we no longer see what all is so special about it, as it has already become something regular, something granted.

In December 2009 the Act on Economic Growth Acceleration passed the German Parliament. This act is a response to the world economic crisis and the intention is to reduce taxes so that people keep more money to spend on consuming. This - so the idea - should well promote the re-growth of German economy.

Unpack your sack, St. Nikolaus

I've been well-behaved, as everyone knows.

I am an honest child - you know this for sure -

listening to my Mom, not annoying her.

I never teased my sister all year,

never took her toys nor put her to fear.

Unpack your sack, St. Nikolaus

I've been well-behaved, as everyone knows

I'm nice and kind and early to bed

close my eyes right away. I am a good lad.

November 9, 2009. Paris is singing for freedom. Thousands have gathered on the Palace de la Concorde to celebrate Germany and Europe. In Los Angeles a wall is being torn down. In Warsaw people are dancing on a wall and another wall is bricked up on the Spanish Stairs in Rome. In London a wall of ice bricks is gradually fading, melting till disappear. November 9 is a day the world celebrates with Germany.

It is the day the Berlin Wall fell.

It is true, swine flu has spread across the world rapidly and the WHO has long warned of that global pandemic. Worldwide there were an estimated 28000 infections and more than 1000 kills in August '09 already, so the WHO. This had its effect on the entire world. They all got prepared for the pandemic, like the States and Australia, which immediately ordered pure vaccines.

Look around these days, and see all the people roaming the place. How different they all are, what various places and backgrounds they all come from; Nagueños and Bikolanos, but also Filipinos from other regions, young ones and elderly ones, kids and adults, men and women, priests, laymen, famous and ordinary people, ones are excited, others are cool, still others are serious or contemplative and again others are loud and shouting.

Last week I went to celebrate my sister in law's 50th birthday. As many times on such occasions, like on weddings, baptisms or other anniversaries, one gets to meet people from beyond one's usual circles. People, strangers in fact, who one suddenly shares stories to and gets to hear stories from.

It is summer time in Germany. June and July are the hottest months here in central Europe and gradually all the German countries have entered their summer break. Some, like Niedersachsen, Thüringen and Sachsen-Anhalt started it on June 26 already and Bayern being the last country in the line will be off duty after August 2.

Fruits alone are not enough?

Well, many a German would think so. The woman next door takes in food supplements in form of pills. Pills that contain pressed essence of fruit or vegetables. She would swear by those and thus she spends some 75 Euros (around Php 5000) a month for the additional supply of health.