Global Poverty

Despite an improvement in overall living standards over the past decade, poverty and social exclusion in most countries, still many people live below the poverty line. The current financial and economic crisis has had unprecedented social consequences, with numerous job losses and increased over-indebtedness. During our trip to big cities here in Europe, there are really poor people begging for alms. Poverty among nations remains the most important global problem. The possible solutions for poverty clearly depend on what is chiefly causing it, and this can clearly vary with time and with place.

Our Strasbourg Trip

Strasbourg is one of the nine largest cities in France with nearly half a million inhabitants in a metropolitan area spanning across the river into the German city of Kehl, on the eastern bank of the Rhine. It is a popular tourist destination primarily thanks to the beautifully preserved and pedestrian friendly city centre, which can be explored on foot or bicycle in a few days.






Our visit to Strasbourg yesterday was not complete without doing some window shopping on the high-end street. There's Gucci, Escada and my favorite Louis Vuitton and Hermes store. Though we did not buy anything on these stores because of out of the world price, still we were able to shop something on some boutique and asia shop there.








After our Strasbourg trip, we did drive to Cherry's place for dinner. We cooked the fish that we bought and feasted on my leche plan for dessert.

An Evening with Friends

After visiting Maureen and Peter's cozy Bühlertal home, i still find time to bond with my friends in Offenburg. They're having dinner when i arrive and i beg off to join them because i'm still full. It was again a short get together of friends.

The Village Store

Here in Appenweier, we have a small store which sells freshly baked breads, eggs, meats, noodles, cheese and many others. They have their own farm and all the food stuff that they are selling are their own product. It is a successful family business which
provides economic opportunities for family members and probably handed down from generation to generation.


It looks like a house but its a store

Garden Time

Yesterday, we did drive to Thomas Philipps in Kehl to buy soils in our garden. It needs tons of garden soils to cover the existing unlevelled areas. It's good that they have special offers which is just one third of the price at leading garden stores. And today, Dirk bought the second batches of soils and we still need 10 more sacks.

Made in the Philippines

Ralph Lauren clothing offers the perfect outfit for any occasion. It has always stood for providing quality products that sells a lifestyle image of sophistication, class and taste. When i bought a Ralph Lauren pants on sale, i was surprised that it was made in the Philippines. While a lot of Ralph Lauren's high-end exclusive stuff is made in Italy, polo shirts, pants and other products are made in the Philippines where they have some sub-contractor companies. Business-wise, labor in the Philippines and other parts of Asia is cheaper compared to US and Europe. Last year, Dirk also bought a printer and its in the Philippines that we found out that its made in Cebu. The ink that is compatible for the printer is not even available in the Philippines, only in Germany. I was also able to buy here a CD player made in our country, the same with Barbie dolls. My best friend Joy bought an Adidas shoes and she found out later that it's also made in the Philippines. I'm proud of it because these big companies provide employment to our countrymen.

Easter Eggs and Gifts

Easter eggs or spring eggs are special eggs that are often given to celebrate Easter or springtime. The old tradition used dyed or painted chicken eggs and now it was changed to chocolate or plastic eggs filled with confectioneries inside. Yesterday is Easter Monday here in Germany and Janine, the 14-year old daughter of Dirk came to hunt easter eggs and gifts hidden around the house.


Below is Annika with her baskets full of easter eggs and chocolate bunnies