I am content beyond reason here in Konstanz, where I will work as a postdoc researcher at the Zentrum für Kulturwissenschaftliche Forschung for the next few weeks. Without anticipating it, I have all the things I need right here at my doorstep. I have the warm Rhine River to swim in right outside my windows. I have a bicycle to ride around on as transportation. It’s stuck on one gear, but no matter, I will make do. I have an actual office! Something I’ve never had in decades of teaching. My office has a writing desk and views to the river. And I have language. Thus far, I’ve had no difficulties conversing and communicating everywhere in German. I’m enjoying my conversations with random people. Today, wrapped in a sarong after a long swim, I sat on the embankment with many other swimmers. A muscular young man, his biceps covered in tattoos, cuddled a miniature poodle to his chest. Together with a friend he waded into the water, carefully holding the poodle to his chest. Then he released the poodle into the river to swim across to his friend. Back and forth the little poodle swam. “Abendbad” I commented from my perch, and he agreed enthusiastically. I watched as two young skinny girls, unwatched by any adults, confidently swam into the middle of the river, chasing ducks, calling out “Enten! Enten!” Konstanz, this beautiful ancient city on the Boden See, is alive, alive, alive with the last embers of summer. And I am happy to be here too.
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