I lived in Germany for 3 years (1982-1985) when I was in the service. Of course it was during the height of the cold war and they were glad to have us there, at least those who lived near the East German border. It was one of the most enjoyable places I have ever lived. The city of Fulda was clean, virtually no crime, no slums, no panhandlers, all the cars were well maintained, never saw one junker on the streets. Hausfraus would sweep their lawns with a broom. We had beer delivered weekly much as the old milkman used to deliver milk. If you wanted you could take your dog into a restaurant, and the germans did just that and you never knew they were there. Then there was the bier at the Kruezberg monastery, none better anywhere. (Sigh) I miss it, but not the times the siren would go off and we would have to go in on practice alerts at 3 AM.
"I lived in Germany for 3 years (1982-1985) when I was in the service."
No offense meant, but to this NYer, it sounds awful!
"The city of Fulda..."
Ah yes. The infamous Fulda Gap where Soviet tanks were going to barrel through to the plains of West Germany and beyond.
I used to do the occasional stint up on Mt. Meissner, waiting for "The Bear" to come...the good ole days!
I then went back 9 years later and noticed that it changed. There was grafitti everywhere and the people seemed disenchanted and cynical.
Maybe it was because the reunification with the East had not worked out as planned.
But tell us about the taxes in Germany - how was all this municipal perfection financed?
(Hint: I know the answer...)
I think Germany or West Germany is suffering because of the stagnation in the East. Money are transfered into the Eastern part from West. I wonder where West Germany would have been today if they did not unify before East Germany was on its feet.