Memories from a Childhood in Sylt

 

In Germany in general, and particularly among the travel afficionados - in Germany and abroad - the island of Sylt has an exotic reputation. With a population of around 21,000, it is worldwide famous for its pristine landscape, minimal public transportation and thatched-roof houses. For celebrities in Germany, and not only, the island is a destination for parties, when Mallorca seems too far away. This fame has a price as Sylt is considered Germany´s most expensive real estate destination. Some may say it is a German version of St. Tropez, but I organically despise any hasty comparisons between locations - and yes, I hate every other ´little Paris´ or ´Venice of..a.´ kind of labels. 

It happened to meet a couple of years someone from Sylt, a young intelligent lady, who sparsely answered my curious questions about the everyday life on the island. But I knew that I always wanted to visit it, but haven´t feel prepared for it. The 9 Euro transportation ticket across Germany put into circulation during the summer month allowed many Germans to finally visit the island, despite the relatively long amount of time needed to reach there - at least 6 hours. However, I rather prefer to wait a little bit more, uninterested to arrive at a time of high inflation of tourists. After all, I am always after authentic, everyday life experience, and not the high season comotion, of any time.

Sylt-born journalist and writer Susanne Matthiesen prepared me for getting to know the island through a personal account of life on the island in the late 60s, early 70s. She is going beyond the touristic brand, reaching out to personal stories, real humans who used to rent their houses during the summer, and childs who grew up there and their first joints. 

Her family run for generation a fur business, and therefore, thus it provides insider´s story not only about the fur lovers clients from Germany and abroad - among which, Princess Soraya the second wife of Reza Pahlavi, the Shah of Iran, who eventually forgot to pay for her beautiful fur coat - but shares a unique dynamic of the island middle class and its transformation across decenies.

The writing is equally engaging, with vivid descriptions and individual portraits. 

Now, I am more prepared for a visit to Sylt. As the next summer is one year, I hope to go even further in my theoretical knowledge about this island and especially its people, one step forward to me getting to know it in real time and flesh.

Rating: 5 stars