Two classical characteristics which I portray most of the Germans with my experiences for four years here ...introvert character and lack of family values ;) well there is always an exception in any society...luckily had a chance to rub shoulders with one such exception..my lovely short term PL Torsten Nötzold...recently invited me to visit his family in Chemnitz, East Germany previously called as Karl-Max Stadt...had a lovely drive from Lüneburg to Chemnitz for around 5 hours in the autobahn when summer was at its peak on friday afternoon...
Initially I thought how could I manage with Torsten's family since they cant speak English...after the visit I should say my German got improved a way bit..Angela, Torsten's wife was very communicative and made the conversation more interesting and fascinating...had a perfect German breakfast with all the cheeses, butters and the salamis...dinner with traditional Potatoes and meat...explored the city with bicycle..with all packed food stuffs remembered my childhood trip with my parents...then tried to cook some Indian food for the family in the evening...but as usual ended up spicy and hot for them...:D next day went to Erzgebirge, a small hilly region near Chemnitz...weather stayed pretty decent...went to a steel mine which is worth visiting...had to travel in toy train inside the caves to explore the mines...was a great experience...
I really wonder Torsten's skill of managing both family and career...always stays cool even during stressful time with the work...works in the office from 7 till 6 in the evening...then travels 450 kms to Chemnitz during the weekend to visit his family..my goodness a perfect role model for balancing work and family...intelligence and downtoward never go together...Torsten is another exception...well now I understand why he likes C++...because he handles so many exceptions in the C++ code...;) With in a short span of time, you have offered a lot Torsten both technically and socially...Thanks to Angela and Lara for providing wonderful hospitality and warmth...the weekend which will reside in my memory for long time...:)Hats off to Nötzold's family....
Sathish Kumar S
