Springtime in Germany

Yesterday I bought a book called Springtime in Germany, subtitled Or How I hearned to Love Lederhosen. I'm very interested in reading it because it touches on a topic that I have experienced but I've never discussed — and certainly one that I've read anything about. It is why people don't really want to travel to Germany.

I'll admit that — except for the fact that I have German roots —Germany was never on the top of my must-see list. The country's dark history hangs heavy, but I am impressed with the way the nation deals with it. It is never too far from their memory. There are small plaques with people's names in front of homes from which people were deported, every history museum includes a section on the rise and fall of the Third Reich, and visiting a concentration camp is mandatory for all German students.

Since living here I've also discovered many wonderful things about German people and German culture. This is — hands down — the most environmentally conscious country that I have ever been in. The people are quite progressive politically. The crime rate is very low. And the food is way better then I expected.

After I finish reading the book I’ll update you with any other interesting observations.