Black History Month in Germany

by Jamie Rhein on

There is nothing finer than learning something new and interesting. Thanks to Joerg W., a gadling reader who dropped a comment on my post about the first African American Baptist church in the United States, I’ve hooked into finding out more information about Black History Month in Germany. Although I haven’t come across events travelers can go to in Germany, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. has a section on the topic. There are photographs and archives that chronicle the experience of black people in Nazi Germany between the years 1933 and 1945. Details about the 1936 Olympics in Berlin and the role of African American soldiers who helped liberate the camps are part of the offerings.

Black History Month in Germany focuses on African-Germans. This month African- German artists are getting some notice. For example, at the Berlinale International Film Festival there was a series of films by African-German filmmakers about the African-German experience. Atlantic Review: A Press Digest on Transatlantic Affairs, the publication Joerg contributes to also presents information about African-German visual artists.

As a traveler, it interests me to come across details that give me a fuller picture about where I am traveling. So, if you are traveling in Germany any time soon, here is another lens from which to view the world you are seeing.

“Aaron In Africa” Shows Us the Real Togo

by Willy Volk on

When I first landed in Zambia to volunteer with the Peace Corps, my impressions were not at all in line with my expectations. For example, I expected to see lions romping through the bush. Didn’t happen. I expected I’d be celebrated as the Bringer Of All Good Things and Haver of So Many Unbelievably Wise Ideas. Yeah…that wasn’t so spot on, either. I also expected to be very active in the promulgating the so-called third goal of the Peace Corps: talking about your experience and bringing a little of your PC-life back home. I guess I do a measure of that here on Gadling, but nothing like Aaron.

You see, Aaron’s currently serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Togo. In addition to his work at the local school, he maintains a blog about his experience, and in this way he’s satisfying the third goal before he even returns home. Of all the third-goaling Aaron does, I particularly enjoyed reading about The Market (and watching the video); learning about the ritual of Greetings; hearing about Clean (?) Underwear; and, of course, learning about eating dog and cat. If you want to know what the “real Togo” is like, this is it. It don’t get no realer, folks.

Not too knock Aaron, but he seems to be living large, with a multi-room, cinderblock house, a sink, a propane stove, and more. That said, imagine trying to forge ahead with a computer center project for this school:

The Morning News Guide to Urban Etiquette

by Justin Glow on

One of the easiest ways to spot a tourist in places like New York and Chicago is on mass transit. Locals breeze through the turn-styles and right to their train while the visitors fumble with the automated pass machine and blindly navigate the tunnels with a map stuck to their face. My first trip to Chicago was exactly like that — where does the brown line go? which way is the train going? someone help, please! But after a few visits I figured out how it all works and I was riding the train like a pro, blending in with the best of them.

Though I really wish I originally had this Morning News guide on urban etiquette for reference, as my big-city acclimation process would have been quite a bit quicker. It’s geared towards New York City, but much of the often snarky (and quite funny) suggestions apply to any big city. It covers everything from subway riding to proper deli, tax, and bar etiquette. Have a look; it may save you some embarrassment the next time you think picking a fight with a homeless guy is the right thing to do.

How To Travel America

by Willy Volk on

While learning what to do is an integral component of pre-trip planning, learning about a nation’s people and their attitudes is just as important — yet often overlooked. To that end, foreigners visiting America may be interested in checking out How To Travel America.

Developed by Kenneth Hulick & Francesca Campbell Hulick, How To Travel America is a website offering a variety of resources and information on the practical aspects of traveling to and within the USA. Less focused on where to go, and more concerned with how to visit America as safely and comfortably as possible, How To Travel America has information ranging from tipping, to hints on electricity, to attitudes of Americans toward foreigners. There’s also a listing of popular activities that might be of interest, and a handy travel tips section that even Americans could benefit from reading.

Since you can’t print out a website, the Hulick’s also have a companion book available. Compared to the website, the 160-page How To Travel America contains more detailed information about shopping, dining, health care, what to wear, and much more. The book runs an affordable $19.95.

Photos of Kings Across Africa

by Justin Glow on

One of my favorite scenes in a movie is from Joe vs. The Volcano, when a young Tom Hanks lands on Waponi Wu Island, home of the fictitious Waponi tribe. Aside from lacking any sense of direction (navigationally speaking), the tribe are also hopelessly addicted to an orange drink called Jump Soda. How bizarre is that?

Anyway, I ran across this photo gallery of African kings and it reminded me of that movie, with a bit of Coming to America thrown in for good measure. In all seriousness, these photos are truly amazing. They offer up a unique look at the lives of a handful of kings across Africa — each with their own style and way-of-life.

Check out my man in the loin cloth up there — I wonder if he knows there’s a cat about to rip is head off?