germany: The Architectural Demands Of Trash - 08/01/10 12:59 AM

The lines between trash and recyclables are blurry and a favorite source of arguments, at least in our house.   We've never gotten straight answers on issues like cardboard packaging with glossy outside layers (does it go in the paper can or not?), broken glass (with the bottles or the trash?), or plastic toys.
The Germans, however, seem to have got this down.  The city of Berlin, for instance (where I arrived a couple of days ago), mandates everybody to sort their trash into 6 categories, and with great educational effort, the government makes sure every trash-producing citizen gets it.   
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germany: Back in the New World!! - 06/10/09 03:29 PM

Hello to all those of you who have been wondering about my missing-in-action staus here:  I'm back!  After two amazing months in Germany -- courtesy of the American Academy in Berlin -- we're all settling back into our old routines, schools, jobs. The kids went to school in Berlin, and surprisingly, they actually loved it!
Nothing is more surprising, touching, shocking, endearing and alienating than an expatriate's visit to her hometown.  I will draw from the experience for many months to come and likely refer to it here as well, but for now, let me start with a little real … (9 comments)