Österreich

When looking for an article, I found a really touching one about a homeless man whose life is really turning around.
After finding 7,000 Euros just lying in the street December 26, 2011, Hermann Schlechert did a good deed by turning in the money to the police for someone to claim. After a life of drugs, alcohol, and prison he was able to redeem himself by turning in the money to the police and meeting the owner of the 7,000 Euros. The owner of the money was so grateful,  he offered Mr. Schlechert a job at a hotel. Not only that, but people from different organizations and foundations are also grateful and are donating money to Mr. Schlechert. With all of the money and a new job, Hermann was able to buy himself his very first apartment in his life.
This article is really heartwarming. It shows that there are still good people in the world and that good deeds can come with a reward, even if your past is dark. This could be a universal message that one small action can make such a world of difference which I think is a great message.

Die fünfte Jahreszeit

http://www.spiegel.de/fotostrecke/fotostrecke-65422-25.html

http://www.spiegel.de/fotostrecke/fotostrecke-65422-28.html

http://www.spiegel.de/fotostrecke/fotostrecke-65422-12.html

Usually, people get together every now and then and have a good time. But in Germany, starting November 11, everybody comes together for forty days and just have one huge party. Everybody dresses crazy and just has an all out good time. In the US, you rarely have this happening. We have the Thanksgiving Day parades, parades in general, but the one that really stands out and sounds like Karneval is Mardi Gras. At both of these festivals, people dress crazy, drink with all of their friends, and have grandiose floats. The only difference about these festivals are the floats, as well. While at Mardi Gras the floats perceive popular things like fairy tale stories, the floats in Karneval are poking fun at political figures and what else is going on in the world. I think that surprised me the most because poking fun at political figures and political events around the world could really cause quite some controversy . Even with the controversial floats, I wasn't all that surprised. Germans, from what I've seen, like to celebrate anything and everything. So were my perceptions changed? Not in the slightest. This year I think the floats would have a variety of things. From the USA's presidential election to the Royal marriage. There is an array of things that could be done.