 Ben Schafer - jbschafer | All Comments |
« back 1 next »
Comments | |
| 27th July 2009 Liz Kersting | Vacation - From: On the Road Again Looks like you are all having fun on Vacation. Oh and let me add Chritopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492. I had to say that just for Matt because when I said it yersterday I messed it up. Have a safe trip and see you when you get to Michigan!! |
| 27th July 2009 Di | Missing you already! - From: On the Road Again Sounds like you're off to a good start! We had a lazy day, given that we took Jilly to CR at 4:30am. Thanks for blogging--it's a nice way to keep up with you guys. We are missing you already!! xo to all, Di |
| 27th July 2009 Doris | interesting - From: On the Road Again How in the world did you find this place. Looks rater intriguing. |
| 27th July 2009 Mike | Thanks for the update . . . - From: On the Road Again Looking forward to more pictures. |
| 19th April 2008 MoscowMom | kids in park - From: The joys of getting lost in a strange town All those kids you saw were high school seniors making the obligatory pilgrimages around the main city sites, posing for pictures. Kids from all around the region are bussed into Moscow to do this--the city is overrun with with seniors for the whole last week of May. It's quite odd seeing them in their black apron/white shirt dresses--and sexy high heels! Gotta love all those huge bows in the hair, too! |
| 16th July 2007 kristen | reality is reality - truth is subjective - From: Farewell to Mother Russia Ben, as a student of Russian language and culture 20 years ago I travelled to Russia with the intellectual/academic intent to find out the "truth" about Russia and its people and to teach my people that Reagan and all our stereotypes were wrong. It is so important to reflect on the context as a whole (like you do) and on the condition that our perception (stereotyping) is shaped by our own culture, i.e. our own values. What I learned are a few valuable lessons in ethics: ideology, like power, is ethically neutral - how you use them is either evil or benevolent. Life is Russia has been marked by self-serving leadership for nearly a century. People who become the victims of evil have three choices: stay a victim, become a perpetrator, or change their attitudes. When in Moscow, I was often approached by "simple folk" with the question: "What do you want here? You have everything and we have nothing. Why don't you go home?" It made me feel like a perpetrator - as if I was responsible for their suffering. Anyway, no need to apologize for your observations. Few would want to live somewhere where the majority has not internalized the same values that one holds. To be sure, there are many many simple Russian folk who have learned to lead their lives according to certain (universal) values. You find them more easily outside of St. Petersburg and Moscow. These Russians place great value on treating guests with overwhelming hospitality. |
| 3rd June 2007 anonymous | nice! - From: The tradition of the Stammtisch http://www.weingut-roessler.de/fernsehen.html |
| 1st June 2007 Katie | - From: The Hills are Alive I would have to say the cable car ride with cow in tow was one of the highlights of Switzerland!! It certainly is not something your average tourist can claim to have done!! (luckily the cow behaved himself) I liked your picture of the earthen pyramid. It appears to my "trained" eye that your interpretation of them is correct! |
| 30th May 2007 anonymous | I want to go!! - From: The Hills are Alive Need I tell you that I am extremely jealous of your opportunity to be in northern Italy. I hope some day to return there. It is one of the nicest places in Europe. Your pictures were lovely.... Mom |
| 29th May 2007 Kris | Subways in DC and arrival in Wiesbaden - From: Pack up the Kids, Amy. We are moving to Bolzano Hey Ben, remind me to tell you when you're here about my DC subway story. It was many years ago, but I'm guessing not much has changed. I started thinking that it might be a better idea for me to pick you up at the airport on Thursday. I don't know how we'll communicate that you've arrived at the Wiesbaden train station. I'm not sure how available the public phones are there. Also, I'm not sure you have my number. What do you think? I still have your itinerary and can meet you at the airport without a problem. We are very much looking forward to having you here for a while. I hope we can keep you as interested as it sounds like you've been so far. The weather's been yucky, but we'll keep our fingers crossed for an improvement. Enjoy Italy! (P.S. They love kids there. We loved visiting with our gang. Germans are not quite so welcoming in general.) |
| 28th May 2007 Doris | Ah, Italy! - From: Pack up the Kids, Amy. We are moving to Bolzano Yes, Italy does sound more like my kind of place than Russia. I can see you sitting outside a cafe with a beer in hand enjoying dinner! Have a pizza for us. Love Aunt Doris |
| 28th May 2007 jbschafer | No need for the fur hat - From: Hot town, summer in the city... Let me assure you, Mike, that it gets HOT here. Low 30s to nearly 40 in the sun at times (translate that to 80 to 100?) |
| 27th May 2007 Egor | Thanks - From: Farewell to Mother Russia Nice blog. Yours opinion was very interesting for me. Thanks. |
| 26th May 2007 Mike P | Ivanov - From: Holy Schmoley... Hi Ben - we had a (long) uneventful trip home...hope you your connections on sunday (or saturday?) are smooth. Enjoyed your blogs...here's a small fix: Ivanov painted The Appearence of Christ and I believe he was a 19th century painter. |
| 25th May 2007 Di | - From: Computer access is hard to find Thanks for sharing your thoughts--it's been fun to read them and keep track of you! Stay safe and keep having fun! Di |
| 24th May 2007 Mike W. | Moscow - From: Hot town, summer in the city... It is interesting to hear that Moscow is hot and humid. I guess I have always thought of Russia as being cold year-round. A lot of historical buildings/landmarks over there. I look forward to seeing more pics of your trip. Hi Katie -- Hope things are going well for you and your family. My website provides details on what I've been doing: www.mikewiethorn.com |
| 24th May 2007 Katie | Hi Wow - From: Hot town, summer in the city... This comment is less for my brother (although I am enjoying the trip through you, I am more excited to hear how things are in Bolzano!!) and more in response to seeing a comment from Mike W. How the heck are you? |
| 24th May 2007 anonymous | Nice Observations! - From: Come on ride the train.... Sat at Doris and Al's last night and read some of your latest observations and enjoyed the great pictures. We commented on the fact that your trip will soon be 1/2 over. Its gone very quickly for those of us who are simply reading your news. Hope that AMY is doing well through it all! We look forward to seeing she and the girls this week-end. Love Mom |
| 23rd May 2007 Doris | Thank You! - From: Hot town, summer in the city... Thanks for taking us along on the trip! Most of us would not have the opportunity to do a trip like that and it is very facinating. Uncle Al loves reading the blogs. We llok forward to images of Italy and then of course, Germany and the kids there. |
| 22nd May 2007 Mike W. | A little bit of hip-hop - From: Come on ride the train.... Come on ride the train....isn't that a song by the Quad City DJs? |
| 22nd May 2007 Nancy G | Thanks for all the blogs - From: Are you tired of my cultural observations?? I never would have anticipated that description of Russian women. I always have the grandma-type in my head. I'm glad you are safe and having a wonderful trip! |
| 18th May 2007 Mike W | Actually, I'm enjoying the observations . . . - From: Are you tired of my cultural observations?? Sounds like Russia has a unique combination of traditional and Western culture. Clint Eastwood movies and South Park . . . sounds like they have embraced some American favorites. |
| 18th May 2007 Kathy | blue skies - From: Touring St. Petersburg I kept thinking in all of your outdoor photos that the weather looked tremendous! I checked out the weather channel the other day and they said it was really nice in moscow. How fortunate to start your trip that way! Thanks for the photos, its incredible! |
| 16th May 2007 Kris | Maybe we are working better with the Russians! - From: Random Observations Ben, I had to laugh about the steam situation. They must work under the same system as the US Military in Germany. The heat comes on on Oct. 1st and goes off on May 1st, regardless of weather conditions. We had a warm, beautiful fall. We had heat even though we didn't need it. We've had a wet, cold spring, but no heat to warm things up. I think it's easier as far as paperwork goes when they handle it this way. Hope things are comfortable for you as your stay progresses! |
| 14th May 2007 Doris Cwiakala | Beautiful pictures - From: Sunday in the Suburbs What wonderful pictures. Glad you are having some free time to sight see. Continue to be careful and safe. Aunt Doris |
| 13th May 2007 Kathy | wierd - From: Better after a night's sleep its so wierd to realize you are over THERE! seems like you must still be in iowa, tho I'm sure Amy feels your distance more than we do! |
| 12th May 2007 Doris Cwiakala | Sleep - From: Arrived! Ahh, what a good night's sleep will do for the frame of mind. You certainly see things differently when you are rested. Can't wait to see pictures. - Aunt Doris |
| 12th May 2007 Mom Schafer | Sleep. What's sleep? - From: Better after a night's sleep After having "Marie nights" the last 3-4 nights, I have had a lot of time to think of you in the middle of the night and hope that all is going well after a long trip. Hope you enjoy every minute Mom |
| 10th May 2007 Doris Cwiakala | Have a wonderful trip - From: Six days and counting We pray that you have a wonderful and safe trip. We know Amy will be lost without you and that she will take great care of those two beautiful girls. Enjoy your time and we look forward to seeing all the pictures and reading your blog - Love ya Aunt Doris and Uncle Al |
| 9th May 2007 Dennis Schafer | Where's Your Wife? - From: Six days and counting I couldn't help but notice that the picture of you and the girls is missing someone......perhaps your wonderful wife is making a not so subtle statement? We are looking forward to your regular and insightful postings on this fascinating trip. And tell Amy that she and the girls are welcome to come down to our nations capital to visit with us and their cousins anytime while you are gone. Take good care of yourself and have a wonderful time, we will all be looking for you here. D S |
| 9th May 2007 Kathy | yes I knew you were talking about me - From: Six days and counting isn't the fact that I know your my cousin and our moms were sisters enough???? jeeze the pressure you put on me! Truthfully, I know your a dad and THATS your most important job. Travel safely will look forward to your photos! |
« back 1 next »