When we left the coffee shop, I felt comforted and strengthened. Now I knew that I was not alone in my situation and there were more”international loves” out there than I would know. The lady wished us all the best and good luck for a life together. I also learned a very important lesson: never judge other people on their first appearance if you do not know them.
In 1967 I got a good job as a secretary in at an International Organization in Vienna. It was not the work alone which I found very interesting, nor the salary, which was very attractive, but it was the fact that I could work in a completely international field, which gave me the right education for international, multicultural thinking.
My office was called an “international family” by those working there, and as a matter of fact it hit the point. It was THAT place which gave me freedom and satisfaction at the same time. So far my thinking had been very restricted; it was adapted to the narrow-minded bureaucracy of small Austrian offices in which gossip and judging others were part of every day life, which never gave me satisfaction.
But this international office henceforth would be my real” home”. International marriages and friendships were a normal thing there; so normal, in fact, that they were not worth being discussed.
We decided to get married in May 1970.
Waltraud and Leo.
Click here for Part Two of: “Following the East Wind: An International Marriage”.
This article originally appeared in Multilingual Living Magazine in May of 2006.
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{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Thank you so much for sharing – I am really looking forward to the next part!
Christiane Williams´s last [type] ..You speak English and what – Views of my bilingual family in the US versus the UK
Isn’t it a wonderful story! I’m pretty sure you will enjoy the next part as well.
I’m thinking I’ll post it in a week (this coming Saturday). Thanks for your comment!
Your story made me a bit misty-eyed. Thank you for sharing — I too look forward to part two of your story!
Thank you for the comment, Emily. Isn’t it just the sweetest of stories? I can’t even imagine what it was like back in those days, with such traditions and expectations. Waltraud is Alice Lapuerta’s mother – I’ll make sure your comment gets passed on!
It’s amazing how much impact that one comment had on them as a couple. It completely validated their relationship from an outside point of view!
It is truly amazing how much we need validation from others, isn’t it? Clearly there were so many others who were not supportive but knowing that one other person was on their side was exactly what they needed to hear. I also love that reminder about regrets: often the question is “what do I have to lose?” And the answer is almost always: “nothing!” Thanks for leaving this comment!!
Truly touching! I’m Chinese and married to a Swede and I recommend your article to my Korean friend who married to a Swedish.
The cultural shock and adaption nowadays is more esaier for East Asians to European than the other way around. In addition to that I totally understand the situation after the war…
Thank you for your lovely comment, Li! So wonderful that you can relate personally to this post. As you said, the cultural shock isn’t as strong but I’m sure you have had to hear your own share of comments from others (and endure disapproving looks). But it is all worth it, isn’t it? Making our own tapestries isn’t easy but so very beautiful! So glad you took the time to share!
what a nice story