Setting off for New Shores (pt. 1)

The time in Athens is over and I am moving on to new shores. As much as I personally developed throughout the past 15 weeks, the flora around Athens has changed. I arrived here during a harsh winter, and I leave probably during the greenest spring I've ever experienced. Now that the final weeks are over, there's eventually time to go out and explore the nature again. Overall, it feels like a pleasant way to say farewell. 

Next stop on my travels through the U.S. is its capital. There could not be a more exciting place to go for me these days. While I am writing these lines, the presidential candidate's race accelerates. Mr Ted Cruz just dropped his canidacy, and I just received the news that Mr John Kasich, Governor of Ohio, also withdrawed his campaign, leaving Donald Trump the only candidate for the Grand Old Party's race for presidency in 2016. 

 

 

However, as a first stop I am heading towards Georgetown. Who would have known it reminds so much of Leipzig/ Plagwitz and its canals. Even more connections to Leipzig are about to open. The German ARD Radio and Television Station is conveniently located in a former printing house (Fun Fact (?): Their colleagues from the ZDF are situated in a former funerals home). One of the current ARD correspondents actually started his career at Mephisto 97.6, Leipzig Universities' local radio station. So there is a lot of common ground to cover. 

 

Another highlight of my days in DC: the National Postal Museum. A little less popular in standing among the other famous Smithsonian institutions, the Postal Museum is situated next to the Union Station and Capitol Hill. What makes it so exciting is the inclusive story the Postal history tells about the disclosure and western settlement of the North American continent. The Postal system laid the foundation to modern infrastructure. Mailmen were using Native American paths which later would emerge into highways. From the carrier pigeon to the first FedEx-Boing, the Postal system furthermore triggered technological entrepreneurialism. All in all, the Museum opens an enlightening avenue towards a perspective on American history which is a little bit less conventional.