In the past decade, I have traveled through many peaceful and beautiful villages, towns, and countries; from Switzerland, Scandinavia, France, Austria, Luxembourg, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy... and even three times through this country, Germany.
I can say that I have traveled on most of the main roads of Europe, but here, in Germany, the feeling I get from the roads is different, especially when passing through small villages, it evokes a special feeling in me, as if the silence here is shouting, a special kind of silence that I like, the silence after the war and destruction, although it is sad, but it smells of peace, it gives me hope, as if this history, this destiny will befall many other countries that are under occupation, as if here it shows the end of the game, it spoils the story... I hope that these words have the power to convey these feelings.
You can see the destination on the sign, Dusseldorf, a place that I had traveled to once in 2017 and once in 2019. A place that has brought together many nations, startups,... you will read more about the city of Dusseldorf later.
Düsseldorf plays a prominent role in my travels, it is one of the cities where my days in Germany have been extended the most. A city where I have had stories; a beautiful city with a view of the Rhine River, both old and modern, home to architectural monuments by wonderful architects; and kind people like the people of other German cities.
Thoughts in Düsseldorf (1)
I walk in the city, I remember my childhood, how I struggled with the moral incoherence of human beings, I think about how religion and nationality caused tension among people, it was ingrained in me that there are things that I am not aware of, things that I would like to learn as soon as possible, I did not understand the reason that separated human beings from each other.
When I grew up, I found that it is these differences that make the world beautiful, I thought that if everyone was the same, the world would be a boring place; but all these thoughts were to escape the traumas of childhood.
Now that I am in my thirties, more than ever, the coldness between human beings torments me, this distance that has thrown human beings miles away from each other, what has made trust difficult, what has caused people to pass shoulder to shoulder with fear, what has caused people to look at each other instrumentally, I am more than ever aware of these inconsistencies of human interaction and I am vainly trying to convey these thoughts to my childhood, a childhood that was looking for the truth; Dusseldorf overwhelms me, makes me think; what have we done to ourselves?
Thoughts in Düsseldorf (2)
Lost in thought, amidst the play of light and clouds over Düsseldorf, I gaze at the Rhine River. What a history this river has witnessed, this beautiful river that has sometimes been the scene of bloody battles. Since ancient times, the Rhine has been important not only as a vital waterway for trade and transport, but also as a natural border and a strategic objective for major powers. Throughout history, this river has been the site of many wars, from the battles between the Romans and Germanic tribes to the devastating world wars.
During World War II, the Rhine served as a key defensive line for Nazi Germany, and the Allied forces faced fierce resistance in their attempts to cross it. Heavy fighting took place along the river, causing irreparable damage.
It seems that whatever humans may be, whatever they may have built, whatever they may have made of their own history and that of the world, time and nature will eventually move past it. The Rhine, with its calm and continuous flow, is a testament to this truth. This river has witnessed the rise and fall of empires, wars and peace, and the joys and sorrows of humankind. And it continues to flow, without any change in its inherent beauty.
Graffiti arts in Düsseldorf
However, it should not be forgotten that art, whose creator is often human, will remain. It is one of the ways that brings me to humans.
I love humans who enjoy observing the possessions of other humans. Humans who enjoy seeing and interacting with the dogs of others, those who admire art, those who understand the details, those who encourage others. And among all this, art brings me to humans, it is a common ground that sometimes breaks down what is between humans that - and is called ice -.
Art is as if it's a kind of human-to-human connection without speaking. For example, look at this street... This large and colorful mural shows the image of five human faces, executed in different artistic styles. Each face has unique features and facial expressions that can represent the diversity and variety of humans. The use of vibrant colors and various painting techniques has given the work a lot of visual appeal. I'm connected to it without having seen the artist of this work.
Königsallee, Düsseldorf
Königsallee in Düsseldorf is one of the most famous and luxurious shopping streets in Europe. One of its most distinctive features is its beautiful water canal, which flows through the boulevard and is known as the "Kö-Graben." This canal, combined with the old and towering trees on both sides, gives the street a classic and unique appearance.
With an approximate width of 87 meters (from the facade of one building to the facade of the opposite one), Königsallee is considered the widest street in Germany. Unlike many similar streets, this boulevard has four sidewalks instead of two: two sidewalks adjacent to the water canal and two sidewalks along the buildings.
Here, alongside Igor, who has occasionally been one of my travel companions, I contemplate human instinct. Here, in the center of one of the most civilized cities, I wonder if the creation of civilizations was the right thing. Perhaps it is civilizations that have altered human instinct over the years? I will write more about this later.
The Rhine, boundless river
The birds, dancing in the wind, silent in thought, singing at dawn, and in silence, their wings fall. Death is an unfamiliar stranger to a bird whose wings have always soared in the heights of the sky. And the dog, this restless creature, in its endless dance, that piercing gaze, that majestic sitting, every movement, even its stillness, presents a moment of life to behold, as if time, at the peak of beauty, gently pauses.
The Rhine, this boundless river, a silent witness to a century of oppression and cruelty, observing the inhumanity of man towards man... Nature continues to remain silent, but what stories it holds in its heart, what secrets it knows of man, that if it were to speak one day, man would sink into the earth in shame.
Düsseldorf, this cozy corner of my thoughts, a place where I immerse myself in the depths of my reflections; a place where the light shines in such a way that I can readily dwell there for a time.
Best view point is Düsseldorf
Words weigh heavily on my mind, marching like soldiers of war who don't know what they're fighting for, like soldiers who think they're destroying another for peace, then weep after the battle; as if the freedom of words from the ranks of battle will not bring peace.
I, in my thirties, have discovered the meaning of words well, the meaning of friendship, and the concept of beauty. Human interaction is naturally at a high level in my life, and my connection with animals is growing to a richer level than before. Without thinking about the future, successes, wealth, and power, I see myself naked in a world with animals, so much so that I experience oneness with nature even if I live in skyscrapers.
This does not mean that I have discovered myself. There are still struggles within me with myself and the world, and when I put the words aside, nothing fits together, and this is what compels a person to continue living.
