12.19.2007

I'd like to teach the world to sing

Thursday after exploring downtown Mannheim, I stopped for lunch at an Argentinean café. I had no trouble ordering a snack because the menu was bilingual and my waiter spoke fluent Portuguese, Spanish, English, and German.

The next evening, Max and I went out for 'date night.' We decided on a little Vietnamese restaurant that had been recommended by a Cambodian friend of ours. I’m glad we took her suggestion. The cuisine was divine. I had the traditional noodle dish, chicken pho; Max chowed down on friend duck. During dinner, we both savored a lovely, dry Geman Riesling from one of the many local vineyards and topped it all off with Begium chocolates.

Later, to burn off those many calories we had consumed, Max and I dropped by the Mannheim’s Bannhauf (train station). Located upstairs, in the right corner of the station, Latin grooves blared from Zapatos, a club that features salsa dancing on Friday nights. At the club, we ran into two of Max’s collegues--expats from Japan. We shared the dance floor with the couple, as well as numerous Germans, Latinos, Americans, Africans, and others.

It was the perfect evening.

As we drove home, I thought how even more wonderful the world is made by the diversity of the people who share this planet. I am an American living in Germany, but I consider myself a citizen of this world. I am proud to be part of a planet where everyone doesn’t look, believe, and think like me. Just as gardens are enhanced by a variety in colors and scents of flowers and food tastes better when spice is added, diversity brings so much excitement to the world. I couldn’t imagine my life without my Egyptian husband, pho, Latin music, dancing. And even with these luxuries, life wouldn’t be quite as enjoyable without other interesting and diverse people to share these experiences.

9 comments:

running42k said...

That was a fantastic post. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

dIVERSITY IS A GIFT FROM GOD THAT WE SHOULD ALL TAKE IN AND CHERISH - THE WORLD IS COMPRISED OF SO MUCH MORE THAT WE EVER RELALY SEE ON AN EVERY DAY BASIS AND IT'S GREAT THAT YOU'RE IN THE THICK OF IT!

Anonymous said...

Yes it's cool! I love diversity! I could not live in a white toast town! I want my son to know everything about all cultures. Glad you're digging GermanY!

megabrooke said...

What wonderful sentiments you touch upon on this post! And salsa dancing! I'm jealous!

Sarah said...

Salsa dancing in Germany--this makes me smile :)

Also, I love LOVE that you changed your blog title using the handy strike as well!

kenju said...

Wonderful post and thoughts, Diane. You will be all the richer for your experiences there, especially with that attitude! You are lucky!

The Grunt said...

Sounds like a great time. Oh, thanks for the kind words on my blog.

Rick said...

I'm old enough to remember when that commercial first came out. And by diggity - proud of it too.

http://organizeddoodles.blogspot.com/

M said...

Fabulous post!