My parents split up when I was five years old This was the initial “before and after” situation. Many more followed not because of divorce because of moving to different towns. Everything changed from one day to the other: home, school, friends, neighbourhood, possibilities. Worst has been changing school. Being the new one, the intruder. Will she fit in? Being observed. I hated it. As if I needed this on top of all other adjustments.
In Germany each county had its own curriculum, so it always happened that I was either ahead and felt bored, or I was behind and hoped to catch up. In one neighbourhood there might have been many children, in the other almost none.
These changes had the impact that I did not develop attachment easily. It hurt to know that some people will no longer play a role in my life or that I will not feel well in every new neighbourhood, to miss specific atmospheres, environments and conditions.
Munich, Schwabing, for example was perfect in the Sixties. You only needed to step out of the house to find somebody to play with. A huge wild undeveloped area nearby, where we could do everything: from building camps, catching newts and tadpoles to watch and release them afterwards, to preparing a ground for playing football. It was a natural adventure area. Also tennis courts nearby to earn a little money for collecting balls and buy ice cream or whatever.
Frankfurt was the opposite, like living on an island. I spent my afternoons either visiting the zoo, shoot on people from the balcony with a waterpistol, or to jump on the train to drive to the city and stroll around in shops.
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It was a busy day today. Continuing tomorrow.
The Wonder Called Me 