“So here we are in New York …” That’s what Tocqueville wrote on May 14, 1831, in a letter to his mother. And we’re happy to write the same on our blog today. We made it safely across the Atlantic and to our friend’s place. Thanks, Florencia, for letting us stay on your couch!

The officer at border control was in the mood for some smalltalk while taking our fingerprints and picture. We told him we’re here for the elections. “So who do the Germans like better, Obama or Romney?”, he asked. They definitely favoured Obama in 2008, we said, but they’re not as enthusiastic about him anymore as they used to be. “I can imagine”, he mumbled and let us pass.

So here we are in New York. Good night / good morning for now!