I was intrigued by my daughter in law’s recounting of a specific memory she has about her schooldays in East Germany. Jenny was aged seven when the wall came down, so all memories she has of that time in her life, are those of a young child. You can read what that memory is by subscribing to her newsletter HOLY SHEEP – NEWSLETTER | von Berlin nach Neuseeland.
She and my son and their children live in an apartment in Prenzlauerberg, Berlin, and have for about ten years. However, they are now are preparing to move to New Zealand.
Jenny and our son, Chris, are doing a podcast as a way of recording their return (for Chris) and move to a new country to live (for his wife Jenny and their three children).
And on Instagram podcast.holy.sheep.
They are planning on travelling the ‘long way’ to Aotearoa New Zealand – backpacking and by train for example. They were planning on taking the Trans Siberian train journey, but present circumstances have meant a change of plan for that particular segment of their journey.
The latest podcast features an interview Jenny has conducted with a German who emigrated to New Zealand way back in 1986 – Michael, from Paraparaumu. It is a fascinating and enlightening interview. I am able to understand pretty well what is being said by listening to it on screen via YouTube, where it is possible to get subtitles in English.
Whenever I walk along St Kilda beach (or indeed anywhere in my country) I always feel huge gratitude for being able to live in a country free of conflict. In saying that, I do realise that we have had over three weeks (and counting) of disgruntled people unhappy with the government, and with various other causes and grievances they felt compelled to air, holding court outside our capital’s government building – our Beehive (so named because of its shape). Their presence, along with the presence of police and media, does not feel like peace to me. It feels like confusion and disruption.
And of course, being a colonised country, we also have historical and on-going conflict and grievances arising from that history.
But there aren’t bombers flying overhead dropping bombs and firing missiles.
I am looking forward to our son and wife and family coming here. I can’t wait! And I am looking forward to hearing about their journey, step by step.
You can too. I know there are a lot of people who read this blog who are interested in travel. For you, this podcast is one not to be missed. Holy Sheep – Neuseeland Available on Apple, Youtube, Spotify – or wherever you get your podcasts.
On Youtube you are able to get English subtitles. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdkQ-F5shLnDBNGcKSTmGvQ
11th Letter In 
Your wonderful photographs are the very manifestation of peace. Peace is surely a human right, yet to much of the world it’s an unthinkable privilege. May the family come home safely: at times thats all we can ask.
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Thank you Rachel. Peace is a precious thing. These are troubling times for sure and yes, sometimes all we can ask is for our own loved ones to be safe. But also in spite of it all, wanting everyone else’s loved ones to be safe too.
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