A chance is all one needs: Anne's story

Anne’s Story – The story of a 26 year old, former East German who – like many of her countrymen -  left her home to pursue a better life in the West. (Common German saying: Will the last person to leave [East Germany], please turn out the lights.) Anne’s life epitomizes the idiosyncrasies of living in Germany. Having grown up in a communist, non-sexist society, she completes her studies in Hotel Management for Women in (West) Germany, than takes a job in a major hotel in Switzerland. Trying to maintain her career / life balance, she gives up her job, moves to her life-partner’s home village and buys a small tourist hotel (7 rooms, the restaurant seats 15). The hotel/restaurant is Anne’s life. In summer, she works like crazy day and night. In winter, there is nothing to do and - sometimes - she barely makes a living. She tries to hire young West Germans - who have a work ethic similar to her own - to no avail. She is not accepted by the locals because she is a newcomer from the East (an Ossie) and, more importantly, because she is a woman… a modern one, at that.

To read the complete essay, please visit the Roaming thru Europe website. slice of life essays



Link to Anne's hotel: 'Zum Rosenhof'