A Life Less Ordinary
I’ve had a life that’s a little different from most people’s. Not entirely unique—I’ve met others with similar experiences—but still unusual enough that most people look at me wide-eyed when I share parts of my past.
Growing Up Across Continents
It all started in Saudi Arabia, where I spent six wonderful years growing up in the heart of Riyadh, in Malaz. Some memories are vivid, others blurred by time, but I’ll do my best to recover them. My teenage years were spent in Botswana—at a time when neighbouring South Africa was still under apartheid. By the age of 11, I was already challenging the worldviews around me, becoming a committed anti-racist as a result.
Since then, I’ve lived in Zambia, India, Argentina, and all across the UK. My career took me offshore as a seafarer, working across the oceans as the only German in the world specialising in 4D seismic. Now, I’ve returned to a small village in Germany to care for my parents.
Why This Blog?
As you can tell, my life hasn’t followed a typical path. Through this blog, I want to share my ups and downs in the form of short stories—never more than 500 words. The titles will often be linked to songs. Some will make sense instantly; others might seem odd but are tied to a moment, a memory.
The One Constant: Esel
The one constant in all of this is Esel—a toy donkey, older than me and my only connection to my East German grandmother, whom I never met. Esel was originally given to my cousin at birth, but when I was born, she passed Esel on to me. Since then, Esel has travelled with me—on land, on planes, on ships. The best companion.
Join the Journey
Thank you for joining this journey. You may find it strange. Or maybe, just maybe, it will inspire someone to take the road less travelled and seek out hidden paths. Whatever the case, Esel and I hope you enjoy the posts.
