An American musician in exile in Cologne
I rush out in the intermission to take a few World Cup pictures...
...but the concert was exciting, and because it was the last one of the season, we had a kind of party afterwards.
The viola group becomes affectionate...
..and the conductor gamely posed with his wife 
"Where are you from?" the Germans ask me. Hard to say-- born in Michigan, but grew up in Missouri, South Carolina, Colorado, Nebraska, California, North Dakota. But REALLY grew up only after going to Europe. Bummed around London for 7 years (Camberwell, Shepherds Bush, Notting Hill Gate, Palmers Green, Golders Green, Westminster) and spent long periods of playing the violin and teaching in various places, mostly England and France, then ended up in Germany. Life remains very interesting.