Mike Pilewski writes about life, politics and culture in the United States
Two countries. Two governments. Both unpopular. And one of them will have a test to meet in less than two weeks’ time. On Tuesday, November 2, Americans will elect all 435 members of the House of Representatives and one third of the 100-member Senate. It is widely believed that the Democrats will lose some or all of the substantial majority … >>
The past week in the office has led me to one conclusion: there are better places to spend the summer than in a German industrial park. It’s nice to open the window to catch a breeze, but it’s never long before you hear: hammers, saws and other construction equipment jackhammers trucks that run their engines all day in order to … >>
Ask any American to name a cultural event in Germany, and you’ll get a quick answer: Oktoberfest. If five to seven million people are going somewhere to drink beer, word’ll get around. But this has, I think, a lot to do with the fact that America itself is a beer-drinking country. Sure, fine wines are produced along the West Coast … >>
This year represents a personal milestone: I have lived as long in Germany as in the United States (not counting my years as a baby). Inside, I’m now half American, half German, and I feel a strong attachment to, and appreciation of, both countries. I thought about this last weekend when two friends — one American, one German — sent … >>