I am in Munich. A city once crippled by Nazis during World War II. Mere miles from Dachau, a concentration camp where Hitler housed unthinkable amounts of Jews and sent them to die in an atrocity unlike what the human race has seen since or hopefully ever will again. And yet yesterday, thousands of miles away in my home country of America, all anyone could talk about were Nazis. Neo Nazis and the racism and hatred that was bred for one another in Charlottesville, VA. 

   If there is one thing being here has shown me, it is we have to learn from our mistakes. It’s the only way to make sure we don’t keep repeating them. A wise person once said, “The definition of insanity is to do the same thing over and over again and expect a different outcome”. The people here in Munich don’t shy away from their history. They share it. They have much to be proud of. 

    When palaces were bombed, they rebuilt. When fires were set, they cleared the ash and started again. There are many old structures mixed with contemporary ones now as a result that make this a very visually beautiful city. The people are lovely and they dance and drink merrily. At the end of the day when the sun goes down and the music is what is left playing, they put on their finest clothes and move to the beat. Some in the town squares, some on the steps to the museums and other various structures we passed on our travels but everyone looked lovely and happy and like they were just appreciating the day they had just lived. People gather at tables not necessarily knowing their neighbors and share a drink and a conversation and they get on with their evening. 

     Earlier in the day, as if in a nod to Charlottesville, these three musicians began to play “America The Beautiful” amidst the commotion of the crowded town square. I recognized it and thought to take their picture as if to say, “thank you. We hear you. We see you. And yes, we too will remember…how good it can be.”