Immigration - 8 -
TO BE OR NOT TO BE,
THAT IS THE QUESTION!
Every Event has its course,
And Nothing, Not The least wind that blows,
Is Accident or Caused By?
And Nothing, Not The least wind that blows,
Is Accident or Caused By?
DEATH!
LIVE!
SHAKESPEARE, WILLIAM
1550 to 1664
1550 to 1664
It is odd that this rather vague-sounding phrase is so much quoted all over the world. It`s properly because, the end of the line states, "that IS the question." What are we doing here, and is there any point? Most of us wonder this at some time, although most people would not take as bleak a view as Hamlet did. Why do we go on living? It concludes that we stay alive because we are afraid, not does much of death itself as of what might come after. (That is how I felt when preparing my departure from all things familiar. Should I go, would it work, it was very confusing, but I coped. It was very hard to stick to my plans. I found plenty understanding in "Hamlets" To Be or Not...!)
Death and unknowns are "the undiscovered country": Nobody comes back; you have "to be" Hamlet ends by saying, because "not to be" is just too frightening. There is no hint that life is enjoyable, "being ". Not living". It is the darkest line in our literature; and yet goes to heart of our existence. I never thought about it as "being" as in excising. Not being is what? We do not have any answered do that, nor did Shakespeare Hamlet.
Information about the life of William Shakespeare is often open to doubt. Some even doubt whether all plays he wrote ascribed to him. He married an older woman .Anna Hathaway. Soon after they had their first daughter Susanna, They had two more children, but her son Hummel
Death and unknowns are "the undiscovered country": Nobody comes back; you have "to be" Hamlet ends by saying, because "not to be" is just too frightening. There is no hint that life is enjoyable, "being ". Not living". It is the darkest line in our literature; and yet goes to heart of our existence. I never thought about it as "being" as in excising. Not being is what? We do not have any answered do that, nor did Shakespeare Hamlet.
Information about the life of William Shakespeare is often open to doubt. Some even doubt whether all plays he wrote ascribed to him. He married an older woman .Anna Hathaway. Soon after they had their first daughter Susanna, They had two more children, but her son Hummel
died at age 11. The life of Shakespeare is sketchy but it seems he sent most of his time in London writing and performing in his plays. It seemed he didn`t mind being absent from his family. During the 1590`s he wrote the majority of his works, like Othello and Hamlet. There is some evidence of Shakespeare received a variety of criticism from People of prominent. He also received lavish praise for his plays, which were very popular and commercially successful. Shakespeare died in 1964; it is not clear how he died although his vicar suggested it was from heavy drinking. PS, The conclusion I to all The myth about "To Be Or Not Be" in my opinion is, You and You alone will and have to find the Answers, otherwise the well feeling so desired might never be reality. Hoping might be the Thing, too! The quotation to be or not to be, will be revisited, in Section "Sayn" Something happened there during the war.
The Village of Sayn
Hope Is The Thing!
Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune with no words
And never stops at all,
And sweetest in the gale is heard
And ore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm.
I have heard it in the chilliest land,
And on the strangest sea;
Yet, never, in extremity,
It asked a crumb of me.
SAYN RHINE!
1945 to 1948
Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune with no words
And never stops at all,
And sweetest in the gale is heard
And ore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm.
I have heard it in the chilliest land,
And on the strangest sea;
Yet, never, in extremity,
It asked a crumb of me.
SAYN RHINE!
1945 to 1948
Where is Sayn? Situated about 8 miles north of Koblenz, which is a beautiful city built on the confluence of the rivers Rhine and Moselle. We are on the edge of Germany` wine growing area and the scenery is simply majestic. Both the Rhine and Moselle rivers are steep in history, and along the banks of both rivers can be a multitude of mediaeval castles, of which are still in use today, although many are also in ruins. Sayn nestles peacefully in the Brexbach (brook) valley surrounded by forestry. The surrounding hills and forest were once strongholds of the Roman army, and indeed many artifacts remain to bear witness to their occupation. Here on this beautiful place was I born many years ago. Now emotions and terrible experiences force me to leave. My departure was a painful separation from my Paradise and started again to recapture another one. The following text will tell some happing of mine during time 1945 to 1948. Soon after we came home from our temporary confinement, I started correspondence with several Countries. Nazi activities which I denied, didn`t help either. Defending the Fatherland was my duty as a German citizen at that time. USA refused my entry completely, in as much as I had no job offering and no relatives willing to vouch for me. It would have been nice. Australia was not contacted. The contact with the Canadian Government developed into the most promising and the exchanges of information's flourished until the early 50`s. At the time, when the idea entered my head, it was clear to prepare myself. An old saying: Who gives - will receive! What did I have to give? A trade to learn was one the best to do. It took about roughly 3 years to complete the conversion to become a credited Bricklayer and Mason with all the necessary legal papers. I was so proud. The first step was done but many more to go. There were so many Questions but very few answers. My parents never discouraged me, but on the other hand, didn`t give any meaningful advise. My best "Friend" never deserted but kept guiding. After all, what a lucky person I was!
I liked to explain, at this time, the similarity between Sayn and To Be? According to the elders of the village, the fate of the German Reich was very depending on the happenings in the village Sayn. Their motto was, how it goes in the village so will it go with the war. It was false pride, only a big joke. In the German language be , like in To be are Not be, Sayn sound the same than" be" in English ,Therefore everything depends on Sayn and not on "Be" If anyone of You needs more clarification ,please get in contact with me, thank you.
I liked to explain, at this time, the similarity between Sayn and To Be? According to the elders of the village, the fate of the German Reich was very depending on the happenings in the village Sayn. Their motto was, how it goes in the village so will it go with the war. It was false pride, only a big joke. In the German language be , like in To be are Not be, Sayn sound the same than" be" in English ,Therefore everything depends on Sayn and not on "Be" If anyone of You needs more clarification ,please get in contact with me, thank you.
TRIER/MOSEL
1948 TO 1952
1948 TO 1952
Before we move again on our Journey, started in the distant past, Let us touch some important milestones. It might beneficial to readers who visited the Website and newcomers to give a chance to catch up:
A long time ago in the village of SAYN, I was born, In STROMBERGI learned to walk and to love, Came to ST.GOARSHAUSEN, added more to know, In TRIER supplemented the above, got ready for a JOURNEY!
These four Places were supportive, instrumental to my FUTURE
A long time ago in the village of SAYN, I was born, In STROMBERGI learned to walk and to love, Came to ST.GOARSHAUSEN, added more to know, In TRIER supplemented the above, got ready for a JOURNEY!
These four Places were supportive, instrumental to my FUTURE
Triers, Inner City Market Place and Porta Niagra
Not only is Trier a Roman city, it is also the oldest city in Germany, then a poor civilian city,70 miles away from the Rhine and the Germanic tribes. It began around a wooden bridge from 18 B.C. at the site of a ford used by the Celtic Treveri and soon occupied the wide valley with extensive grid patterns of streets on the site of sporadic Celtic settlements. Because it was founded under Caesar Augustus in the area of the Trevere, it was called Augusta Trevorium and later shortened to Treveri.
In the 4th century the city numbered around 80,000 inhabitants. Saw six empowers reign from here and, under Constantine the Great (306-316), became an early center for the spread of Christianity north of the Alps. The Porte Nigra (Black Gate) was a part of the Romans defense Wall built all around the City to secure their Empire. Watch out the Germans got into the action, but didn't do so good.
In the 4th century the city numbered around 80,000 inhabitants. Saw six empowers reign from here and, under Constantine the Great (306-316), became an early center for the spread of Christianity north of the Alps. The Porte Nigra (Black Gate) was a part of the Romans defense Wall built all around the City to secure their Empire. Watch out the Germans got into the action, but didn't do so good.
Want to Look Into the Future, Study History, Which Has Shown To Repeat Itself
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The Francs took over by force and brought destruction, at 485 AD and imported their Germanic language. Treveris as it now was called, had dwindled down to perhaps 3,000 inhabitants, but the elevation of the Trier bishop to archbishop in 802 by Charlemagne signaled a new ascent when in 882 the Vikings destroyed Trier. The city never recovered its former splendor but at least it grew (more than 12,000 inhabitants in the 14th century). In the First World War Trier was bombed 50 times .It became a French garrison City. The Second World War seemingly brought the end: 40 percent of the inner city was destroyed and Trier was so poor that little was rebuilt immediately. Soon after, enough historical consciousness developed and reconstruction took place. At my time Trier, was an architectural showcase with buildings from a rich 2000-year history! Prior to my arrival in Trier in 1948, my Parents made the necessary arrangement for proper rooming and food. I knew my way around Trier very good.
I occupied a room with a look to the Portra Nigra.A symbol of Trier and of the Market place with an adjacent Cathedral. Every four years the Church displaced the alleged cloth of Jesus', dressed by, at the time of his crucifixion. My Parents paid the whole cost of my education. My education was the most valuable asset I ever received. According to certain equation, Knowledge is Power! University of Engineering and Science, it was in walking distance. Hardly ever did I have problems with comprehending or remembering. Naturedly that give me a lot of time for relaxing and getting involved in other activity, which I had no problem to visit often. I met in my class a very nice boy who came from a farm, a War veteran, which displayed a certain amount shyness and reluctance to fit in. He had such a nice aura around him, that I was drawn to him like magnet. I could say I felt privileged to be in the present of such a nice person. I spend a lot of time with him. I could go on for much longer, but the conclusion of this meeting with "Christopher" turned into a long friendship. He married and, has 4 children, who all working in his Consulting Firm, he founded. I wish and hope that all of you have or will have such an elevating experience.
At first I wanted to study architecture but learned fast that I was not gifted enough to understand, disliked the rule of the trade. Switched over to Civil Engineering, which I liked much better the simple, straight and undisputable approach. Like Left/Right, Good/Bad, no Grey, only the total "Absolute". Every body to his own!! During my Fathers visits, occasionally he opened up a little more than usual, and talked about my future, in as much as he was concerned. He explained detailed plans about his vision how he would like to see the continuation of his Business. His explanation was very clear but as expected total against my ideas. It would not be of any value for me to go in more details on the issue. My Father and I did not understand each other good. He was a very caring and providing person I just did not understand him.
When graduation time came along our Semester had a big celebration. Many tears, but many happy memories were ex-changed. Many Farewells, but many See yours too. I came to this city as an innocent young man eager to inhale all what is there to know to "become a good man In St Goarshausen I yearned about it, in Trier I learned about it.
Last but not at least .in respect a little humorous, on the other hand an image of my father's occasion thoughts. At the evening of my return from Trier in late 1951, I was sitting in my room unpacking and reminiscing about the experience of the past in Trier. Suddenly my Father entered and set down. For a while, he did not say one word, than took a little notebook out of pocket and asked: Why did you not place all the books you brought back in the in the bookcase, and pointed to the place where it stood. I was wondering before what I supposed to do with it. Now I knew! In his little Notebook, he figured that so much money he sent to buy the books, and so many books he wanted to be re-turned. After I told that all the books were sold to have money for the graduation, he stormed out of the room, and peace returned!
One of the last works I did together with my Father, I supervised the reconstruction of the Saynbach Bridge, near our home and office. He designed and rebuilded the structure, which was demolished by the Allied Forces at the near end of the War. The Inhabitants of Sayn remember me by calling this bridge "Alfred`s Bruecke"(Bridge) What an honor!
I occupied a room with a look to the Portra Nigra.A symbol of Trier and of the Market place with an adjacent Cathedral. Every four years the Church displaced the alleged cloth of Jesus', dressed by, at the time of his crucifixion. My Parents paid the whole cost of my education. My education was the most valuable asset I ever received. According to certain equation, Knowledge is Power! University of Engineering and Science, it was in walking distance. Hardly ever did I have problems with comprehending or remembering. Naturedly that give me a lot of time for relaxing and getting involved in other activity, which I had no problem to visit often. I met in my class a very nice boy who came from a farm, a War veteran, which displayed a certain amount shyness and reluctance to fit in. He had such a nice aura around him, that I was drawn to him like magnet. I could say I felt privileged to be in the present of such a nice person. I spend a lot of time with him. I could go on for much longer, but the conclusion of this meeting with "Christopher" turned into a long friendship. He married and, has 4 children, who all working in his Consulting Firm, he founded. I wish and hope that all of you have or will have such an elevating experience.
At first I wanted to study architecture but learned fast that I was not gifted enough to understand, disliked the rule of the trade. Switched over to Civil Engineering, which I liked much better the simple, straight and undisputable approach. Like Left/Right, Good/Bad, no Grey, only the total "Absolute". Every body to his own!! During my Fathers visits, occasionally he opened up a little more than usual, and talked about my future, in as much as he was concerned. He explained detailed plans about his vision how he would like to see the continuation of his Business. His explanation was very clear but as expected total against my ideas. It would not be of any value for me to go in more details on the issue. My Father and I did not understand each other good. He was a very caring and providing person I just did not understand him.
When graduation time came along our Semester had a big celebration. Many tears, but many happy memories were ex-changed. Many Farewells, but many See yours too. I came to this city as an innocent young man eager to inhale all what is there to know to "become a good man In St Goarshausen I yearned about it, in Trier I learned about it.
Last but not at least .in respect a little humorous, on the other hand an image of my father's occasion thoughts. At the evening of my return from Trier in late 1951, I was sitting in my room unpacking and reminiscing about the experience of the past in Trier. Suddenly my Father entered and set down. For a while, he did not say one word, than took a little notebook out of pocket and asked: Why did you not place all the books you brought back in the in the bookcase, and pointed to the place where it stood. I was wondering before what I supposed to do with it. Now I knew! In his little Notebook, he figured that so much money he sent to buy the books, and so many books he wanted to be re-turned. After I told that all the books were sold to have money for the graduation, he stormed out of the room, and peace returned!
One of the last works I did together with my Father, I supervised the reconstruction of the Saynbach Bridge, near our home and office. He designed and rebuilded the structure, which was demolished by the Allied Forces at the near end of the War. The Inhabitants of Sayn remember me by calling this bridge "Alfred`s Bruecke"(Bridge) What an honor!
WHAT YOU ARE
DOES NOT MATTER
WHAT YOU BECOME
WILL MATTER
De`ELIJAMA
DOES NOT MATTER
WHAT YOU BECOME
WILL MATTER
De`ELIJAMA
"SOON" WE WILL SAIL TO ANOTHER "CONTINENT".
COME AND ENJOY THE JOURNEY!
TO NORTH AMERICA
COME AND ENJOY THE JOURNEY!
TO NORTH AMERICA
