An American musician in exile in Cologne
We left Cologne in a driving snowstorm, but it is sunny here in Athens. Got here last night, wandered around till we found a nice Taberna, and downed a lot of red wine, white wine, and ouzo. Today however we have rehearsals for a concertante performance of Salome, so I have to be a bit careful... But first, we are going to head for the beach for an hour. 
"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.