Forcing a New Perspective

Attending another theatre class last night, I was wrapping up my shortened answer to ‘why did you move here’: “I had been working in a corporate setting, and it simply was not where I wanted to spend my life.”  I was about the reciprocate the question, as would be my reflex, but stopped short as the answer would be obvious; he was fleeing the war in Syria.  It was then that my elevator speech for my decision to do something new and selfish became an extremely privileged response.  ‘I was attempting to switch from one comfortable life style to try out a different one.’  I attempted to shift the focus by chatting about being apart from family.  With all that is happening in the world, it has become too easy to forget to be thankful.

The German elections took place a couple weeks ago.  The results proved that xenophobia and nationalism are prevalent in every country.  During my time here, I have listened to many people talk about the immigration and refugee issues – from taking jobs from Germans to living off the welfare from the state.  Someone even asked me if it’s true that women should no longer feel safe walking through the plazas at night for fear of the foreigner men leering/cat-calling at them.  I assured them that we foreign men have a WhatsApp group so we can coordinate ogling women in force.

Yes, it sucks for Germany that these people can now openly state these opinions; it is no longer a social faux pas.  However, I can assure them that these attitudes exist in every country and every culture.  “Change is bad.”  “We need to somehow make something ‘great’ again.”  The reality is that I am now in a foreign land where I am the one not wanted.  And it is bizarre.

The far-right party here received 12 percent of the national vote; keep in mind that this is not an either-or vote as one can generalize in the US.  This political system offers a slew of parties that are intended to represent your heartfelt beliefs, from a Green Party to a Socialist (Left) Party to a Liberal (FDP) Party.  With the six major rings in which to throw your hat, one in eight Germans voted for an anti-immigration, anti-LGTBQ, traditionalist, climate change denying party.  However, it was East Germany that led the charge; over 22 percent of Thuringian voters chose this party.  Almost one in four people in this state would rather I not be here.  (Although a couple people assured me that I was a better type of foreigner, which is moreover the wrong answer.)

But just like the US, politics do not define the individuals one meets.  Having a flexible schedule has allowed me to gain some fantastic experiences.  Teaching a beginning tap class has forced me to work on my German – specifically the use of the plural you (or y’all).  I really had no use of that prior to this experience.  And not only am I implementing these awkward conjugations in sentences, but also much of my instruction is in the imperative case.  And, still too few people are impressed at my level of fluency; Germans seem to have high expectations.

Sadly, the attendance of my intro tap class has diminished.  A friend pointed out that I may be too ‘anspruchsvoll’ – demanding, exacting, too high of expectations.  The truth is that I am, and I will continue to be.  However, that may have played a role in no one showing up to my third class and only one attending my fourth.  I blame the abundance of German vacation.  I expect, nay demand, better attendance in the coming weeks.

My tap instructor (and owner of the studio) makes the rounds tapping and drumming.  I was lucky enough to be able to see him perform at a local venue.  I am dropping hints to see if I can get some stage time, too…

He will be performing again this Saturday at the same venue where the beginner choir is performing that evening.  Perhaps I’ll catch his act again.  Yes, the beginner choir has its first concert at a bar/cafe in Erfurt.  We are singing five songs, all in English, and all in two- or three-parts.  Luckily, there is no need to stash a flask; there is liquor on site.

Being involved in the theatre group has introduced me to a film director, who seems to have a slew of projects.  He had a shoot this past Saturday in which he aspired to show the women’s movement throughout various eras, ending with an homage to the Women’s March in January 2017.  I was asked to participate.  It was not extremely fancy; in fact, every participant was an amateur.  It didn’t hurt that is was a beautiful fall day with enough wind to have it continually rain leaves.  And there was free food.

The theatre class is putting up a show in a month.  There will be a variety of skits, which makes it feel more like a cabaret than a show.  I have been assigned a couple non-speaking roles.  And it looks like I will be doing a rendition of “Free Fallin'” on my ukulele in honor of Tom Petty’s life.  The revue will definitely have some … entertainment value.

And while getting the opportunity to perform agin feels good, there are some red flags that have me second-guessing my continuation with the group (namely excessive gossiping and one-upmanship).  I was supposed to start paying (i.e., enter into a contract) for my participation in the group as my trial-month has expired; however, the leader of the program suggested we wait until after the show to determine if we should enter into a long-term relationship.  It appears that I am not the only one having second thoughts about my involvement.

All in all, life is fantastic.  And while I find all of these offshoot adventures, I am still achieving my original goals of learning more about fermented products from the area.  I was recently challenged to make Kimchi, which I attempted yesterday (look forward to that future post).  Beer and cheese production is going well.  And I have my second baker internship starting next Monday.  Thirty-five is starting out strong!