1st Birthday Monetary Invitations

From real and not quite real Germans

how well it would be if the wall had not fallen?

A visit with compatriots in Lima




entrance arch to the GDR



The 3rd October 2009, the day of German unity, I have spent this year in the GDR. I boarded a minibus with the words "Alemana" am the "arco" and got out through a black-gold-red bow in the "República Democrática Alemana" occurred. There I walked up the only paved street, and asked me what it's like, 20 years after the fall of the Berlin Mauer, to live in the GDR. Nothing easier than a few East Germans to question it.

"I am a 100% German," laughs Francisco Cárdenas, all the mentioned here Pancho. "This is manufactured and born here." He looks slyly to his mother, who comes straight from the kitchen. "It's true, Mom, right?". "Yes," confirms this. "When we came here there was nothing, just sand are. You are one of the first children who were born here." Pancho Cárdenas is now 24 years old, in sweatshirt and tracksuit, he leans against the Eingagstür his house. On the ground floor a few computers to see, with the internet car earned their mother would add something. Pancho other hand, has been a business. "I am a businessman. Buy rolls and rolls and spread them in all the corner shops around here." Business was good, Pancho, although he worked 12 hours a day, but he could not complain. In general, it was a lot of things have improved in the last 10 years, says his mother. The

with the "better" is all a matter of perspective. I find it rather hard behind the unpaved side streets, everywhere recognize the outstanding air power and telephone cables or the stray dogs an emerging area. But if it is remembered that there was absolutely nothing 25 years ago, not a single house, no only water-let alone power line, then you have to pay respect to the GDR.

The DDR, which I believe it is in the south of the Peruvian capital Lima, where because of the poor quarters have captured over the past 30 years, the sand hills around the city. Their names all sound promising: cloverleaf, city of the Redeemer, New Hope, Indoamérica. The "East" should not really, "DDR" hot, original, 25 years ago. associated with so much hope was the GDR on the other side of the Atlantic because even then not for young Peruvians in search of a piece of land.

Crisólogo Lago is one who can still remember, in what 25 years ago happened. A few yards up the main road he has his little shoe store. By hand he makes the shoes yet, a hoop in red leather child's shoe is its showcase, and is waiting to be picked up. The shoemaker, in work uniforms told. "We had young families formed a housing association, an agent had promised us a piece of land here in the then undeveloped south of Lima. Saved them all on their land, had her little house. To the agent with their money it made, and decided the damaged homeowners to occupy wild land. "Federal Republic of Germany" should be glad their neighborhood that they wanted to sit in the desert. The Federal Republic was at that time, in the 80's, when rich country. And one of them, it was fate, then working as a chauffeur in the (federal) German Embassy in Lima. If one child, so the district to be established, named after the sponsor, then the device .... perhaps in a generous mood This was the simple hope that people associated with the naming of West Germany. access that the message of the FRG occupants of land to build their houses under the arms would be with money.

"But why is then called the East district and not Germany?" Crisólogo Lago smiles easily, he almost forgot the story. "Our leaders got into a dispute and the group split up." The one took his men and occupied a new sand hills, one kilometer south of the planned "BRD". And since the name "Germany" was already taken, he had the idea to call the district "DDR". Finally had the time, 1984, real and existing and supposedly alive and kicking.
As godmother, but proved to be the GDR at that time somewhat stingy. A few leaflets was what everyone wanted to contribute the former East German representative office in Lima for the welfare of the self-appointed ward.

"And you, are you also German," Aleman ", I ask a group of children who come straight from school. Have their blue school uniforms, after all, black, red and gold strands. The three boys and the girls look at me clueless at. "Of course not, we are Peruvians. But you are born here, in the German Republic? Yes ...... only now they have realized the ambiguity of the question. From the other Germany, the Germany side of the Atlantic know it nothing. Not even that the Peruvian football idols Claudio Pizarro and Pablo Guerrero kick in Germany, or that "Bayern Munich" and "Hamburger SV" have something to do with Germany. Why its own district is named after a foreign country, they do not know well.

your teacher, Maria Ochoa, however, can be had well remember the first years of colonization, run "at that time as we have hundreds of meters to fill a bucket of water because there was no water. "brooding it is but if it is to give the correct name of the neighborhood." Is the German Democratic Republic or only German Republic? "The" República Democrática Alemana "turned into an identity crisis, when the Wall fell and the GDR sang across the Atlantic and quietly went down. The then President Fujimori, so know some older residents to report, I then visited the district and advised them, rename it yet. Therefore, the doubt whether it for now still the Democratic Republic is, or whether the "democratic" because it would rather leave the school should have ...... opt for the latter. It's called simply "Alemana" German. The minibus, which tear up the hill praise their places with "Alemana" at. The GDR has become a synonym for all of Germany, at least here in the south of Lima.

leaves the "Federal Alemana", the Federal Republic. The fact there is even one kilometer to the south, and younger a week as the GDR. The Federal Republic squatters had more luck with her godmother. A sign above the kindergarten of the "Republica Federal Alemana" bears witness to the willingness to donate some German. Otherwise, the FRG has remained small, a handful of houses wedged between the neighborhoods Valle Saron "and" The Clover "is all of what the Federal Republic has stopped. In a side street carries a class a typical Peruvian dances. Dances from the Andean highlands, where there came from the parents and grandparents of the children once. The girls hit the dance with a rope around him, as skilful "Cowgirls", the guys have to create it, come close to her dance partner, without getting the rope is wiped. With great enthusiasm bouncing around the 5-grade students on the road. "Do you know that today is your national day?" Big surprise, then laughter, it must be a joke with. Whatever it is actually yes.

The German unit hopes no one here, everyone has settled into his neighborhood, the East Germans Germany and the Germans. Only the postman, the suppliers and taxi drivers would be helped if they find the address "Germany", would not end up in the wrong part of Germany.




dancing children in Germany


kindergarten in Germany


Crisólogo Lagos, the shoemaker of the GDR


Pancho Cárdenas, Young entrepreneurs in the GDR

Indian Women Boob In Saree

biting back the dog the gardener

A comment on the recent carnage in the Peruvian Amazon

On 5 June conceded a unit of the Peruvian police force, the road blockades, indigenous demonstrators on the through road in the Peruvian Amazon region had built. It conducted a massacre that killed 24 policemen and at least 10 indigenous people and some 150 people were injured. The rapporteur of the UN for indigenous issues, James Anaya, and many other national and international agencies have been an objective awareness of the events required.

Some backgrounds may already be named.

all began one and a half years. President Alan García of the largest daily newspaper published in an article of Peru from his own pen, in which he announced his strategy for the development of Peru: the use and exploitation on a large scale of the natural resources of Peru in the high and lowlands. Peru could already be much further, García wrote at the time when its people are like the dog the gardener from the same plot of Lope de Vega position would. He wanted to eat his bowl is not empty, but let no one else approached his food. So did the Peruvians, according to Garcia, and in particular the backward indigenous Peruvians and others that would cover her yesterday communism today with an environmental cloak, if it were the use of the wealth of Peru. While at first mainly a (ben) through the series outcry of opposition intellectuals of the capital went to the indigenous people of the Amazon region soon became aware that Alan García would not let it stay with the announcement. In the so-called "Leyes de la Selva" (jungle law) he had a legal basis for the broad-based licensing of timber, oil, gas and water reserves of national and international investors.
Last year (200) organized the indigenous people of the Amazon region, however the first time a protest. they had not been asked, namely, how they are imposed from above Entwicklungsstragie their habitat. This is despite the signed by Peru ILO Convention A consultation provides compelling.
The protest last year was no use. The government was determined to impose its policy. Three months ago, agreed the indigenous peoples of the entire Amazon lowlands again to go on strike. That is, they blocked the main routes between the lowlands and capital, and he cut it from the oil supply.
The government was not ready for a dialogue, and sent for two months the police. Because of the capital Lima ran out of oil and therefore the light. In this context, the aforementioned massacre occurred.
until a week later, on 17 June, and after strong protests from Germany and abroad, according to Garcia, the government finally. Alan García publicly admitted was wrong, the indigenous people not to have asked in advance. On 18 June, he pulled two of the "jungle law" back. The Tieflandindigenas had won!

What do these protests and the victory of the indigenous people:

• The Indigenabewegung Peru with these protests, the first time become a national player in Peruvian politics. In contrast to Ecuador and Peru, an indigenous movement in Peru until then was not visible. •
's 350 000 indigenous people of the extremely sparsely populated rain forest (Selva) are far better organized than the numerically far superior Quechua and Aymara indigenous people of the highlands. In fact the lowland indigenous In recent decades, unnoticed by the capital organized and consolidated.
• An indigenous movement - come together in the highland and lowland indigenous people - is in development in Peru. End of May was held in Puno on Lake Titicaca, the Latin American Indigenous Summit. Important is the alliance of lowland and highland indigenous.
• Joint meeting of all indigenous people was and is the threat to their living space by the state and private exploitation of natural resources. Increasingly, however, indigenous people connect with their own concepts to the public. Especially with the concept of the "good life" (Buen Vivir), the indigenous people against a substantive point to make radical Modernisierungsstragie the Peruvian Government.
• Alan García has sought to Evo Morales and Hugo Chávez for the protests of indigenous people to blame. In fact, neither Evo Morales, Hugo Chávez has yet to do the Peruvian opposition Ollanta Humala to be causally related to the protests of the Amazonian indigenous. There is more of subsequent opportunism of the left politician Alan Garcia in turn allowed a convenient blame. The relations between Peru and Bolivia on the one hand have worsened by the conflict to a head the conflict in their respective policies.
• The conflict may be settled for now with the turn-government protests flared up sein.Neu in other parts of the country, however, show that indigenous groups now feel encouraged with their demands - z.Bsp. against the granting of mining concessions - also to get to the public. The conflict over the right model for development and modernization of Peru will continue, with a stronger indigenous group. In this sense, we may also be interested to see how the indigenous movement presents itself as a political player in the presidential race 2011th
• A word to the church: the Amazon region is one of the most sparsely populated regions of Peru and, in the eyes of the capital to the poorest and most backward. Maybe just because there been the progressive bishops not to Opus Dei and Sodalitium supporters exchanged. They and their pastorates and prelatures were just too small. That is, the most progressive Catholic bishops of Peru can be found today in the Selva.Bereits in April the 9 bishops had supported the protest of the indigenous people of the Selva against the "jungle law" in a public communique. As a facilitator and monitor for compliance with human rights, the Church is there estimated. To what extent they are used as a content conversation partner in the development of an alternative model of development of indigenous people remains to be seen.
• background of the controversial "jungle law" were the provisions of the free trade treaty between the U.S. and Peru. In these days of free-trade agreement between Peru and the EU is being negotiated in Brussels. Although various groups have called for a suspension of negotiations (including the Plataforma Europa Peru various solidarity groups and the information center Peru), these will continue.
• The Federal Republic of Germany provided substantial support for the newly established Peruvian Ministry of the Environment and is therefore of an influence on the development strategy of Peru.

More info at: www.infostelle-peru.de

9v Adaptér Polarita

paradise Peru

Schlaraffenland Peru

One of the best kept secrets is the Peruvian cuisine. It is delicious, varied, nutritious and about to erorbern the world. And much included big boys do not stop.

"How do you like the taste of Peruvian food?" - Hardly a visitor to Peru, where this question is posed not just after his arrival in Peru. Taxi drivers, friends, owner or priest: in Peru are all hobby gourmets and bursting with pride on the quality their national cuisine. Therefore, no one should make the mistake and the answer to the question with "pizza" or "spaghetti", but call a Peruvian court. Who can not speak English should learn at least the names of some Peruvian dishes: the marinated raw fish "ceviche," the potato pie "Causa Limena, or chicken fricassee" Aji de gallina. Better still is trying. Food and kitchen is not in Peru vile food, but culture, popular culture. This in a country that has, despite economic growth is still nearly 50% poor. However, more and more people see the art of cooking a way to To escape poverty.

popular outdoor kitchen

Juana Córdova, provides a well-filled plate "Pachamanca" at. On a paper plate are three pieces of meat cooked in an earth oven, along with three kinds of potatoes, boiled beans and a sweet corn bag. Pachamanca is a specialty of the central Andes, the home of Juana Cordova. Every Saturday and Sunday is the 50-year-old woman family gestärker in white aprons and chef's cap in the Plaza Italia in the historic center of Lima. It stands in a row with 30 colleagues, all your home prepared for sale specials. "Gastronomic Festival", a gastronomic festival, this means supporting the people of the city of Lima buffet. The long table bends under the amount of ceviche (raw marinated fish), Rocoto Relleno (stuffed peppers), Causa Limenha (Stuffed potato pie) and Cabrito (goat meat and beans), to name just a few of the represented national dishes. The festival has large turnout and at noon, all white plastic tables occupied; treat many families here after the weekend shopping a rich and yet affordable lunch. About three € costs Pachamanca a plate on which two people can be well satisfied, and which is prepared with love. "The recipe is from my Grandmother, and the preparation must be incorporated love and joy of cooking".

called Ten years from the Lima Stadverwaltung of a contest for housewives: they should present their best dish. The best cooks received after courses in food science, hygiene and marketing and were invited to participate in the gastronomic festival. The seafood soup kitchen became a hit. Because little is more sacred than the Peruvians, their beloved "almuerzo" lunch. It may still begin at 14 clock, however, end the weekend late night wet happy. On weekdays at lunch business being discussed, was linked bonds of love and complete, and anniversaries celebrated. For Juana Córdova and other cooks of the Gastronomic Festival at the pleasure of the Peruvian food has led to a new family income. Around 30 € deserves a cook on a weekend. So you can again own family a few days set before something good.

The mystery of the kitchen

"My secret is to wash the pepper very well," said Maria Mamani, the Spezailistin Rocoto Relleno for the festival. Every housewife has her own secret recipe, which was usually handed down within the family of mother and Grandmother. What is the secret for so extremely varied and delicious cuisine of Peru? A walk through any market in Lima is an answer. As juicy apples are next to mandarins, bananas, pineapple and papaya. At least 8 varieties of potato have to have any vegetable vendor in stock, not to mention domestic cereals and quinoa Kiwicha. At the fish market fresh fish be excluded Seafood and shellfish are an inexpensive addition. The geography of Peru with their extreme height differences turns out to be fortunate for the kitchen: the products of each zone, the forest are up to the 5000 meters high Andes, in one day in Lima. And off the coast of the capital itself is one of the richest fishing waters of the world. It is an asset already knew the peoples who inhabited Peru before the English America 500 years ago took possession. The Inca, like the Moche and Chimu peoples on the coast should have already prepared ceviche. Not only the earth but also their products were considered, the Indian peoples as sacred and inspired. This can be seen in many pre-Columbine Ceramic figures recognize that depict food as a human being. The current Peruvian cuisine is not only the result of the Indian peoples, but the mixture of all cultures that have come together in Peru. The Spaniards brought with them the sugar and laid the foundation for the Limen famous desserts. African slaves were preparing the remains of their masters to today's national dish. Pastas go back to Italian immigrants, and the impact of the special leave Chinese immigrants. Hardly a street in Peru, where one is not a Chifa, a Chinese restaurant will serve meals to the good and cheap.

cooking in prison

It is this cultural mix was rich Limenos first suspect. Peruvian people's courts have only in recent years found its way into the fine restaurants in Lima. They are now like to stay. Peruvian gourmet chefs develop the people's courts continue to standardize and improve them constantly. Specifically, the capital city Lima is known as a culinary capital of Latin America also well above Peru. No wonder that shoot addition to the restaurants, the cooking schools in the ground. Did a few years ago, young people still study law or medicine, so do all the cooking today. Not simply "cooking", but "Cheff" cooking, as they say in English. In the cooking school of the city's "Cenfotur in Lima each night 30 young and not so young men and women to get an insight into the secrets of the Peruvian cuisine. Many of them hope to make cooking as a profession and earn good money. Others have found cooking as a hobby. Just as the 46-year-old theologian and criminologist José Luis Pérez. In the main job, he is head of the Prison Pastoral most notorious prison in Peru, the Lurigancho prison. Today he is preparing in the cooking school, the Peruvian Hamburger-variant "Butifarra" too. "With cooking you get close to people," is his conclusion. During his pastoral visits in prison, he has helped his culinary experience at times more helpful than the Bible. When José Luis Pérez a course for the prison cooks - who are themselves prisoners - organized, not only the prisoners but the guards were delighted. "When I walked in cooking Monitur the prison, I was not searched for the first time. Even the kitchen knife I could take to the prison, "marvels José Luis about which respect and trust a cook is met with. Who else wants to visit the Lurigancho, has anything that could remotely be used as a weapon issue, at the entrance.

The food is sacred in Peru - in prison as well as across the country. In the slums as well as in precious restaurant. One reason may be that there is not much that all Peruvians - whether rich or poor, brown, black or white-skinned, whether peasant or scholar - have in common. The rich have their own schools, hospitals and clubs. The poor have theirs. What they are talking about when they meet yet again? About's food of course. The delicious ceviche from the weekend, the piquant Rocoto or the delicate Lukuma-Mazamorra - it can all Peruvians say something. For hours, and until you get hungry again. Try it out.