WITH BEETHOVEN UNDER PALMS (IV)

 

Chapter IV:  FREEZING COLD AND A CAMEL'S KISS

Summer 1977. I resided there for three years in West Berlin, the "free enclave" surrounded by the communist East Germany, the so-called German Democratic Republic. Guarded by the three major powers Great Britain, France and the United States of America. Leaving this enclave by car or train always meant to pass several checkpoints and countless controls. It did not bother me. Such journeys belonged to my adventurism. I saw it as a kind kind of sport. And I really never got problems ... .

Of course, my grandmother was happy to see me so often. Every time I visited her, she had a surprise in store for me. A baked duck, a new bottle of Russian Vodka or a new long play vinyl record with wonderful classical music - mostly from Russian composers such as Rimsky--Korsakoff, Peter Tschaikowky and amazing East German stars such as Peter Schreier. 

The singer, who lives in Dresden and was artistically at home in (East-)Berlin, was one of the most famous artists in his field in East Germany. Ludwig van Beethoven joined our circle too. Even if only in the background and performed by East German or Russian artists.

During the 1970's In the seventies I developed another passion. There were many television show recordings in Berlin. I just attended this chance and tried to look behind the scenes, and they let me. I became a regular guest in one of the most loved TV-shows, the German Hitparade, hosted by the unforgettable Dieter Thomas Heck. Sitting beside famous singers made me even more prominent in my country's home side.  That made it easy for me to join Heck's show PYRAMIDE in 1990 in Munich as a successful contestant.

My new car took me anywhere. To my grandmother in East Germany. To my parents, 500 km away, by getting on the transit routes from West-Berlin, via East Germany and entering again West Germany there. Tiring but enjoying it. A commuter between two different kinds of worlds - East and West! My buddy Jürgen was still with me. "When are you planning to fly to Moscow with me?" he asked me. I replied, "Wait buddy, Tunisia in North Africa is still waiting!". My buddy looked at me in disbelief.

My thirst for knowledge to get to know other peoples and cultures made me very lonely at home in Germany. Today I know that all of these trips have brought me more than any history or geography course in high school or college. The ride on a camel and its kiss was one of my greatest adventures in Tunisia/North Africa.

The Russian propeller plane took an eternity to finally take off. My buddy and I got -as always-  Seat 1 a and b. We were like that too as the first to raise a glass of water after the takeoff. One should have seen our astonished and wide eyes. Yes, it was the "cleanest water in the world". It was Vodka. At 8 o'clock in the morning... . Caviar followed. Airline of friendship. German Democratic Republic and Soviet Union back then.

Our hotel Russia was right on the Red Square. It was really freezing cold. 1977/1978 was a winter of the century across Europe. I know, I wasn't allowed to leave our hotel so easily. But I did. I was already a risk taker at that time. The underground train took me to the station "Nowokusnezkaja". Radio Moscow lay in front of me. Natalia Tschernowa waited already.

The German language program aired the Classical Request Concert. A program, a show that I had listened to on 'Shortwave' (not FM) for years already. And my "life wish" was granted: Ludwig van Beethoven, Concerto for piano and orchestra No. 3 in c-minor, third movement Rondo:Allegro. 

On the return flight to East Berlin, "water" was served again. 

When I got home, I couldn't believe my eyes when I found a letter from the German foreign Aid Project. But it became true. My trip to Jamaica was up next.

(To be continued!)

WITH BEETHOVEN UNDER PALMS (III)

Chapter 3: Land of the setting sun

Our touch down in Tokyo was precise to the minute. "Like in Germany", commented my buddy Jürgen. And he continued, "The Japanese have a lot in common with the Germans, they are always on time and love to work a lot". 

Well, this was 1976. I am not sure about nowadays. Fact was, I plunged into a world with many opposites to mine. It also meant that in the future I would make many mistakes that could not be consistent with Japanese tradition.

Our family stays were designed in such a way that we could get to know typical Japanese life in different social classes. In Tokyo, my "papa-san" was a television director. In Kyoto, my "papa-san" worked as a bank employee. In Osaka, I found myself in the countryside - my "papa-san" was a rice farmer. The great moment, Michiko would enter my life.

Tokyo - a breathtaking city where we lived in a small space. I got the impression that the TV studios where I was allowed to go in and out were bigger than our home. My "papa-san" made it possible to put me on screen in different TV-shows as "his son from Germany". I was overwhelmed... . 

My appetite for media of all kinds grew. It was television first.

Kyoto followed. And a bank manager. I remembered that my parents always wanted me to become a bank manager one day. But even then, I already knew I wanted to be a journalist one day.

Osaka follows. An awesome and wonderful life in the province remains with me from my childhood - just a little bit different. Now I had countless rice fields in front of me. Only many years later in the Philippines would I get the same feeling that I did here. And in Osaka, I met my first love at sight in Asia - Michiko.

It was the love story of my life at this time. I learned that we couldn't walk hand-in-hands behind the public. I learned that she could never travel to Germany and marry me there. I learned a lot more about Japanese traditions.

Six months after returning back to Germany, I got a very sad message from another Japanese close friend. A terrible earthquake had killed her and her family.

Hiroshima was one one of my saddest experiences in Japan that was never forgotten in my heart. Visiting the atomic bomb memorial left me with a lot of doubt and negative thoughts. As an opponent of the arms and war, in 1974 I had moved to West Berlin -  a place, where, as German citizen, I couldn't be drafted into the army. West Berlin is a place that would dramatically shape my future. Not only because one day I would even meet Nora Aunor there personally.

After my return from Japan, another big event awaited me in West-Berlin. A trip to Moscow. A trip and invitation. Radio Moscow - German Language Production had written a letter. For me a journey into uncertainty. A journey in between the world powers during the Cold War. I asked my buddy Jürgen to accompany me. "What do you want in Moscow, man? It's already in winter", he asked me.

I could convince him to travel with me. 5 days - not longer! I agreed.

(To be continued!)

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IATF approves test-before-travel for Davao

 

RALPH LAWRENCE G. LLEMIT, Manila Bulletin

THE Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) approved the Davao City Government's request to impose a test-before-travel requirement to all passengers arriving at the Francisco Bangoy International Airport (Davao International Airport).

In a statement issued by the City Information Office on February 5, Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat bared the approval of the request made by Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio dated February 3.

According to the City Government, Duterte-Carpio wrote to Puyat on January 22, requesting the assistance of the DOT in negotiating with the IATF for the imposition of mandatory real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing for all travelers before they arrive at the DIA.

"We wish to inform you that the IATF has approved your request," Puyat said in the letter.

Puyat also said, "The DOT is one with the City of Davao in its efforts to curb the spread of the virus. We look forward to working with you as we pursue our goal of a slow but sure recovery of the tourism industry."

The request of Davao City for guidelines on the test-before-travel requirement, without prejudice, for travel by land, sea, and air was approved during the 97th meeting of the IATF on January 28.

The City Government said the Department of the Interior and Local Government will also convene a small group and come up with a recommendation in a week's time following the approval from the IATF.

Meanwhile, the city suspended the free RT-PCR testing at the DIA on January 14 and will only resume once the Los Amigos Covid-19 Laboratory goes into full operation.

Arriving passengers with negative RT-PCR tests are prioritized in exiting the DIA after checking their health declaration forms (HDFs).

Non-Davao City flight passengers may still exit the airport even without the RT-PCR negative test as long as their LGUs will fetch them and they can present other needed documents. Neighboring local government units (LGUs) are urged to pick up their locally stranded individuals (LSIs) at the DIA.

For Davao City residents without negative RT-PCR test results to show, HDFs and other necessary documents will be checked. They must follow the requirements and will be given their health monitoring forms since they need to check-in with their BHERTS (Barangay Health Emergency Response Team). The 14-day home quarantine is mandatory. (With CIO)

Yonnex Inc.

 

MAKE MUSIC - BEAT THE BLUES

Have you noticed that there is hardly any article, no column, no television program, or no radio show without mentioning  the pandemic and the virus. I am telling you "Beat the blues". Yes, by making music! If you're not playing an instrument, you'll surely find ways to listen to music.

Music - from the Greek "mousikos" and pertaining to one of the nine muses in the Greek mythology - is the art of combining sounds or sequences of notes into harmonious patterns hopefully playing to ears and satisfying our emotions. An insipid and dry explanation - I must confess.

Can you, my dear reader, imagine a life without music? For me, it would be such a monotonous and boring world. I don't think only about the musical "mayfly" or the so-called "musical nine days wonder". Music doesn't consist of Groove or Techno alone. I am not against these or other music trends, because each generation has its own music development. But we have greater riches of different kinds of music by going back to the Middle Ages, the Renaissance (which means 'rebirth'), the Baroque Age, the Classical Period, and the Romantic Era up to 1900. The Western tradition of music has its origins in the chant tradition of the Early Christian Era.

Everybody can develop his  or her own passion for music. When I was four or so, I grew up already with those kinds of music. I asked my parents voluntarily if I could get piano lessons. It was easy for us because the church organist at that time was our neighbor and a proud owner of a grand piano. I listened to my first organ recital composed by Johann Sebastian Bach. My passion for music was in the stage of development that made it possible for me to join the school band. The Beatles - and Rolling Stones later - era followed - much to the disappointment of my parents and grandparents, who still dreamed of their music, such as Jazz and Swing back to the Golden Twenties.

Everybody has his or her own music philosophy. I learned from my dentist friend in Los Angeles, that her patients lose their state of anxiety by listening to soft background music while having their teeth attended to. A gynecologist explained that if a pregnant woman mostly listens to classical music, her child might hear, learn, find out and experience another (better?) development then other children.

The church reformator Martin Luther (1483-1546) explained it in this way: "Many times, when I was in terrible darkness, I prayed - and I listened to music, which delivered and refreshed me!" The German poet and composer E. T. A. Hoffmann said in 1801, "If you start simply being speechless, music will take over!" And Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827), without doubt one of the true and just awesome Western composers voiced out, "Music is utmost revelation then wisdom and philosophy!"

"I feel like flying after entering a church, praying and listening to the music of heaven!" the German poet Friedrich Schiller (1759-1809) philosophized about music in his drama "Maria Stuart".

A simple melody can make us feel happy, sentimental, smiling or crying, aggressive or relaxed. A form of light entertainment in which songs, dialogue, dance, and humour are combined with a not too serious plot is as much as important then a dramatic opera or the single musician or street singer, not being a man of culture, but entertaining us people.

Let's develop our own passion for music, so that we might see the great resources for our daily life, if we accept, that music plays a role in it. Make music - not war! And beat the blues in times of the "Big C"!

How expats priorities have changed with the crisis

 voyageJoshua Woroniecki / Pixabay

The current global crisis has profoundly transformed the travel industry in recent months. With border closures and travel restrictions, many expats-to-be had no other choice than postponing their travel plans. Still, some of them are reviewing their plans, defining their new priorities.

New formalities

Entry formalities for foreign nationals now vary from country to country. In most of them, a negative PCR test carried out between 48 and 72 hours before arrival is essential. Many countries have also introduced a 10 to 14 days quarantine that is mandatory for all travellers. However, not everyone is willing to be quarantined for so long before they can actually start a new life abroad. For example, Victor, from France, is looking to relocate to Mauritius. "With vaccination campaigns spreading across Europe, is there a change planned in the entry policy of Mauritius for people who have been vaccinated? Is there any way to avoid quarantine or do we have to wait until Mauritians are vaccinated too? "

Health

According to a report published by Ipsos MRBI and Allianz Care, in July 2020, 62% of respondents had to postpone their travel plans. Of these, more than 53% said their priorities had changed since the start of the crisis. Today, health and well-being are now among the main concerns of 48% of expats-to-be, even more than before the crisis. And most of them are seeking answers to questions such as: What's the procedure to follow in case of COVID-19 infection? Will I have access to the local health system? Will I be covered by my health insurance?, etc.

Remote work

Irene is a young Californian who is planning her move to China where she has just got a language teaching job. She will be living in Xian for a year before travelling Southeast Asia as a digital nomad. "My plans haven't really changed. Still, I need to know, whether I will actually be able to do this, with the constantly changing visas and entry requirements", she says. In the meantime, she is waiting to be vaccinated, and for borders to reopen between the two countries. Florian, who is from France, wants to relocate to Spain. His priority is to know whether he can continue to work remotely for his current employer. "Can I keep my French contract while living in Spain? Should we make a new contract under Spanish law or simply amend my current contract?". Many like Florian are considering remote work during the crisis so that they don't have to look for another job in case things go wrong.

Find a job

Many expats move abroad for better career prospects. But with the global health crisis, resulting in a rising unemployment rate worldwide, finding a job abroad almost sounds like mission impossible. What are the most in-demand skills currently? Which countries are recruiting amidst the crisis? What other qualities do you need to stand out in a crumbling labour market? What types of contracts are currently on offer? You will mostly come across expats-to-be asking these questions on online forums and social networks as many are having to reinvent themselves.

What's the cost of living?

The crisis has obviously led to a rise in the cost of living in several countries and cities that used to be affordable for expats. According to the latest cost of living survey by ECA International, several European cities have moved up in the ranking of the world's most expensive cities, mainly due to the strength of the euro against other foreign currencies. This is one of Emilie’s concern. She is hoping to who move from France to Portugal by April. "I'll make a scouting trip first, many for 2 or 3 months, to have a better idea of ​​the cost of living and property prices", she says. She has already spotted a couple of property ads in the north of the country, but she can't wait to be there to see it on her own.

What about social life?

Moving abroad also means exploring a new country, learning more about its culture, but also meeting new people. In the COVID-19 era, with health restrictions in place in most countries and an extended lockdown in some of them, it is virtually impossible to get out and see people. Patrick is waiting for the situation to improve before relocating to Germany. “I have been planning this trip for several months, but with the new surge and the extended lockdown, I don't see what I can do about it. Bars, restaurants, museums and cinemas are also closed. I'm definitely not ready to spend days and nights locked down in my apartment".

Article translated from Quelles sont les priorités des futurs expats en 2021 ?

About Veedushi

Editorial Assistant/Content Writer at Expat.com. I have a deep interest for foreign cultures and traditions and looking to hear about your experiences abroad.

No child car seat? No fines for now, says DOTr and LTO

 

by Jane Kingsu-Cheng, Manila Bulletin

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Land Transportation (LTO) is now joining forces with Department of Health (DOH), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Department of Education (DepEd) and the private sector in coming up with an effective information, education, and communications (IEC) campaign with regards to the Republic Act 11229 or Child Safety in Motor Vehicles Act. This was posted by Assistant Secretary for Communications and Commuter Affairs of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) Goddes Hope Libiran in her Facebook page yesterday, February 2. This law states that children under 12 years old or below 4’11” in height are not allowed to sit in front, unattended by any guardian, and are required to use the Child Restraint System (CRS).

DOTr secretary Arthur Tugade and LTO assistant secretary Edgar Galvante also both announced that there will be no fines despite RA 11229 being implemented yesterday, February 2. Instead, concerned agencies are working together so that everyone, especially children, parents, guardians, teachers, and law enforcers, will completely comprehend what this law is required of everyone. There will also be no apprehensions while this campaign is ongoing.

“Remember that what we are doing is of good intentions, and it has passed the Congress and signed by the President last 2019. The goal of this law is to protect the children from car accidents. According to DOH last 2019, there are two children who die in Metro Manila daily due to road-related accidents,” the Libiran added.

“We seek the coopration and help of everyone so that we can reduce, to the barest minimum, the incidents where the children get into accidents,” Galvante said.

 

Child car seat is now a requirement, starts February 2

Photo courtesy of Freepik, shot by SenivPetro

 

by Jane Kingsu-Cheng, Manila Bulletin

In preparation for the implementation of the Republic Act 11229 or Child Safety in Motor Vehicles Act in the Philippines, Buckle Up Kids PH hosted a virtual press conference last January 29, Friday. This is an effort to brief the parents on the law that is to be rolled out this February 2.

The virtual show consisted of guests such as Land Transformation Office (LTO) deputy director for law enforcement Roberto Valera, Engr. Louis Jhay Kimverly Palmes who is a Trade and Industry Development specialist from the Bureau of Philippine Standards of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and Atty. Daphne Marcelo, a Policy Associate of ImagineLaw who served as the host and moderator. Regine Tolentino was also present as the road safety advocate, along with Atty. Mark Steven Pastor who is the assistant secretary for road transport and infrastructure of (DOTr), and Chiqui Liquicia from VeraFiles.

Children under 12 years old (and have a height of 4’11” below) fall under the Child Safety in Motor Vehicles Act, which means that they should be buckled up in a child car seat and are not allowed to sit in front. They should always be accompanied by one of their parents or adult guardian.

Valera also announced that there will be an “initial phase” for motorists to get used to and complete all the requirements. “The enforcement is not just about apprehension. It involves information dissemination and warnings,” says Valera, adding that they will also be releasing printed materials about the law for further understanding and comprehension of this newly implemented law. “We will be on warning mode as well as information dissemination.”

The show also reminded the parents of the fines involved. Ranging from P1,000 to P5,000, and even suspension of driver’s license for one year if caught thrice or more. Manufacturers, distributors, importers, retailers, and even sellers who sell substandard child seats—from P50,000 to P100,000.

LTO will also be requiring motorists to get LTO clearance for the child seats that they will be installing in their cars. This is to ensure that car seats are installed properly.

PAL reminds arriving passengers of revised quarantine protocols starting Feb. 1

by Richa Noriega, Manila Bulletin

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) reminded arriving passengers to observe the revised quarantine protocols in line with the latest resolution of the Inter-Agency Task Force for Emerging and Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) starting Feb. 1.

((JANSEN ROMERO / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN))

The government has imposed conditions on some foreign nationals allowed entry into the country, including having valid and existing visas as well as COVID-19 testing at a quarantine facility on the sixth day from their date of arrival.

PAL urged the passengers to register on the Electronic Case Investigation Form (e-CIF) as early as three days before their flight to Manila.

The airline encouraged non-Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to pre-book a hotel accredited by tourism and health agencies for a six-night accommodation.

Passengers are also advised to present their QR code, Affidavit of Undertaking, and the Traze App. In addition, the sign the declaration and waiver form indicating that they are healthy and fit to travel.

Upon the arrival, passengers must accomplish the health declaration form, arrival card, and Bureau of Customs (BoC) form.

On the sixth day of quarantine, the RT-PCR testing will be administered.

If the passenger tests positive, an assessment will be made by the quarantine officer to determine the appropriate next steps.

A passenger who tests negative may obtain the Bureau of Quarantine (BoQ) medical certificate via quarantinecertificate.com. by emailing the BoQ.

PAL said at any point from day of arrival until Day 5, passengers showing symptoms shall inform their hotel of their condition.

The hotel shall inform the health agency for assessment, medical management and testing.

Once the passengers are cleared, they may call up relatives or local government units (LGU) to pick them up or arrange their transportation.

OFWs may contact the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration or their local manning agencies.

“Please complete your 14-day quarantine or self-isolation under the monitoring of your local government unit (LGU) or Barangay Health Emergency Response Team,” PAL added.