(Community Matters) We’ve been staying at the Hotel Schloss Edesheim (a castle in the center of Edesheim) but I’m moving us this morning to the Hotel Deidesheimer Hof. Both are in the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate (aka Rheinland-Pfalz) , the serious wine producing state in Western Germany.
Coincidentally, two of Steven’s friends (Reiner & Heidi Mielecki) made reservations at the Hotel Deidesheimer Hof, not knowing we’d be staying there tonight and tomorrow. Turns out for the better – the hotel’s gourmet restaurant Schwarzer Hahn (1 Michelin star) is one of their favorites and they wonderfully introduced us to the menu and wine list.
Not only was the dinner spectacular (roasted goose, a potato concoction and a beet/root marmalade of sorts, both which I intend to learn more about over the next two nights), the conversations were illuminating. Reiner & Heidi met at university in Berlin (West Berlin then). Heidi is from this region. I think Steven and Reiner first met in Bracknell UK.
I solicited their perspective on American politics over the last ten years, and we also discussed tensions in Germany related to Muslim culture. Very different inculturation issues in Germany – at least I believe they are from our own. Practiced in a fundamental form the religion can have devastating impacts on women’s rights, education levels and civil society. (this is a very different perspective for me) Not their conclusions, mine. – then again, practiced strictly & fundamentally, so can Christianity & Judaism
I’ve been saying we are in Mannheim, but in fact that’s in the state across the river – it’s just an easier reference
Community Matters 