When foreign cultures touch the heart.
pen friends
Words flowing softly on a white sheet of paper. They are addressed to a person whose country, life and culture are far removed from my life's journey. Two biographies that have so far moved parallel to each other without knowing of the existence of the other. Now those paths have crossed.
I've always loved exchanging ideas and writing with people from all over the world. These days I can certainly send emails, get in touch quickly via WhatsApp or surf through social media. For me, however, they do not replace the delicacy and personality of the written word, which is also reflected in the handwriting.
I can still see my English teacher entering the class and asking if anyone would be interested in penpals. The idea immediately fascinated me and a few weeks later I received five addresses. I immediately started writing to these strangers persons. Days of waiting for news were met with impatience. Then finally I held the first blue airmail letter in my hands. The tension was nearly unbearable. I opened the letter and read the first few lines from a young man from Great Britain. Over the years, the wiritting to the pen pals lost. Only with my english Penpale I stand still in contact to this day. All of this is now 45 years ago.
Today I experience the same joy when a letter from the USA arrives in my mailbox. I have rediscovered the valuable medium of pen pals for myself again. This new, old form of communication is called snail mail and you need a good portion of patience for it, but it is worth choosing this path. It is also an effective learning strategy in our fast-moving times.
The young man I am writing to has the same passion as I, to let his thoughts flow onto the blank sheet of paper. He also knows the power of words to take other people into a world that would otherwise remain hidden from us. He also has the heart of a warrior and he tries to show up with his possibilities what it means to be born as a Native American. A world and culture that is foreign to us, which he also brings to life in his art and texts.
Through our exchange as pen pals, mutual sympathy for our mutual projects was immediately evident. Where our interests overlap, we have spoken out in favor of working together. Under his pseudonym, "Editor in Chief", he also acts as editor of his own works.
I've always loved exchanging ideas and writing with people from all over the world. These days I can certainly send emails, get in touch quickly via WhatsApp or surf through social media. For me, however, they do not replace the delicacy and personality of the written word, which is also reflected in the handwriting.
I can still see my English teacher entering the class and asking if anyone would be interested in penpals. The idea immediately fascinated me and a few weeks later I received five addresses. I immediately started writing to these strangers persons. Days of waiting for news were met with impatience. Then finally I held the first blue airmail letter in my hands. The tension was nearly unbearable. I opened the letter and read the first few lines from a young man from Great Britain. Over the years, the wiritting to the pen pals lost. Only with my english Penpale I stand still in contact to this day. All of this is now 45 years ago.
Today I experience the same joy when a letter from the USA arrives in my mailbox. I have rediscovered the valuable medium of pen pals for myself again. This new, old form of communication is called snail mail and you need a good portion of patience for it, but it is worth choosing this path. It is also an effective learning strategy in our fast-moving times.
The young man I am writing to has the same passion as I, to let his thoughts flow onto the blank sheet of paper. He also knows the power of words to take other people into a world that would otherwise remain hidden from us. He also has the heart of a warrior and he tries to show up with his possibilities what it means to be born as a Native American. A world and culture that is foreign to us, which he also brings to life in his art and texts.
Through our exchange as pen pals, mutual sympathy for our mutual projects was immediately evident. Where our interests overlap, we have spoken out in favor of working together. Under his pseudonym, "Editor in Chief", he also acts as editor of his own works.
Have fun while reading!
Heike
"Haù mitàkuyapi" I am the editorNchief
Hau Mitàkuyapi (greetings friends and relatives), Inyan Sapa Au emakiyapi do (I am called Blackstone coming). I am descended from the Mdewakantonwan (Spirit Lake) Dakota Isanti Oyate (Santee Nation) and the Blackfeet Nation. I am enrolled member of the Coeur d`alene Tribe. My mother was Blackfoot and victim to the 60`s Scoop and was adopted and enrolled in Coeur d`alene. My father was a proud traditional Dakota Isanti (Santee) Sioux.
More about me,
