Ijon Tichy, Phileas Fogg, James T. Kirk

These are the protagonists who accompanied and inspired me long before November 9, 1989 – both in print and in moving images. They complemented the glamorous picture books with fascinating landscapes that were real yet so far away – which lined the shelves of my parents’ library.

After November 9, 1989, I was able to do everything my three protagonists could.

But back to my question.

Tichy, Fogg, and Kirk are travelers. Regardless of whether on land or through space and time; the boundaries are fluid. Their creators (Lem, Verne, Roddenberry) gave them all a license to travel. On November 9, 1989, I was able to catch up with my heroes – I too obtained a license to travel. From blue to green to red (see image). Note: Even though in American movies the good guys ​“wore” blue and the baddies red, I don’t think this had a political implication.

But back to my question.

The license to travel, the ​“Reisepass” or passport – let’s break down this German compound noun: 

Reise (1): to go somewhere.

Pass: something one can cross; a summit with a view onto something new; at the same time, it is possible to look back on something familiar … two views – two worlds – with all their consequences. 

Reise (2): to go somewhere… for me, this still means experiencing landscapes and people; to linger in a different, unfamiliar place, to live and learn…

But back to my question.

After November 9, 1989, I was able to do everything my three protagonists could; travel around the planet or through time and space to far-off galaxies (unfortunately, I’m not allowed to report about everything here).

I would like to protect myself with the following disclaimer: Traveling can be addictive and promotes your mental health.😊