Curiosity

Today we are going on a journey to a country you never knew existed. This is not some fantasy land; this is a bona fide nation on Germany's western border so small that history has almost forgotten it was ever there. Pack lightly --it's only going to be a day trip. Neutral Moresnet is so …

A Tale Of Two Cities

The university semester starts today. For the first time, I have to teach a course in politics. Or rather we do. It's a bilingual course in English and French. I speak in English, my colleague in French. Today he does the talking because everyone wants to know about Marine Le Pen. They could also ask me of …

I Promise To Honour The Flag

It takes just three minutes to puncture Dortmund's dream. Number 29, Kylian Mbappé hits home. 1-0 Monaco on the night, 4-2 on aggregate and 87 minutes to go. Dying Swan has struck again. The Monegasque fans celebrate. They jump, they cheer, they wave flags. Red-and-white flags of the prinicipality, flags bearing the club's emblem, flags …

Misty Eyes

"If Recep Tayyip Erdoğan loses his referendum..." I say "I will donate my life savings to charity!" I am reminded that my life savings wouldn't pay for a week's self catering in Antalya. "Very well" I say. "If Recep Tayyip Erdoğan loses his referendum I will sell my priceless collection of Donald Trump jokes to …

Weirdos & Wackos

I don't make Dortmund's game against Frankfurt. I am ill. I have what is known in the medical profession as "shit on the lungs". I've been coughing up slimy crap for the past couple of days and don't want to jeopardise my recovery by an afternoon's forcefeeding of beer on a wet April afternoon. I …