Our TGAC Travel Service to Germany

The people behind TGAC:

   Ute Boese

Hi, I am Ute. I was born and I grew up in East Germany. Considering myself a member of the “lucky generation” I just turned 18 when the Berlin wall came down – a very exciting time for me, because I moved to East Berlin in September 1989 to study Food Science. I have lived for 8 years in that high-spirited and incredibly fast changing city and know many hidden places… Since traveling abroad was very limited in the former GDR I got to know East Germany very well – my family has spent almost all vacation time discovering every corner of East Germany. Due to jobs I moved to Hamburg and Hanover, from where I explored West Germany on many trips. But I always loved to return to the eastern part of Germany – thrilled observing the amazing and beautiful changes and the development in the so called “5 New States”. Within my professional career I used to work for a “Centre for Environmental Communication” planning and organizing seminars, field/day trips, excursions and much more mostly regarding natural food, organic agriculture and regional tourism. Of course after the wall came down I took advantage of the new and never before experienced opportunity to travel individually all over the world, what brought me as an example to Peru, China, Canada, Nepal, USA, Madagaskar – Europe not to mention! In spring 2006 I came to Houston, where I met Jo Ann at a “German Language Group” event. Actually we started sort of “private lessons”, but quickly we noticed that we share much more then just an interest in the German language and family history research: the idea to start a business together to offer you individual trips and theme tours to Germany! I was type of a “missing link” – someone who is an original (East) German, who has travel experience and loves to show you the cultural and culinary pearls in Germany waiting for you to be discovered. My love for good food, beer and wine probably came naturally growing up in Europe – and with my university degree “Master of Food Science”. I am also involved in promoting cross-cultural appreciation through organizations such as the “Houston Leipzig Sister City Association” or "InterNations".  Guess what!  Leipzig is one of the most inspiring major cities in East Germany and combines dynamic modernity with cultural heritage and European lifestyle as many other cities and towns. I would be delighted to show you my home country the way even many Germans have never seen it and I promise you will be excited and never forget your trip! Do not hesitate to contact me. I look forward answering all your questions and inquiries irrespective if I am in Houston or in Germany – preparing and escorting trips!

Ute

Contact Ute Boese

In November 2008, the German Life Magazine together with the Zeitgeist Publishing, Inc. published a book "This Is My Story": www.germanlife.com . The story I submitted about the Fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 was included in the book.

My Story for Download (PDF)

I first got the travel bug at 14 years old during a summer vacation visiting a friend in  El Salvador  - it was one of those life changing experiences - earth quakes, border wars, refugees unfolding on a contradictory panoramic stage of volcanoes, beaches, mariachis and Tango dancers - all packed into summer break!  I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Texas in 1975. Since then I have worked at many jobs from car valet, boat varnisher to training oil & gas traders on proprietary software. I have worked in Singapore, Malaysia, and Spain, as well as numerous cities in the U.S. – Manhattan, Los Angeles, Chicago and Houston. Most recently, I became a student again and graduated from the University of St. Thomas with a Master in Liberal Arts, political science major in 2003. During this time, I reconnected with my ancestors in Germany and in the process became very interested in genealogy and German American history. And, best of all, I had the great pleasure of meeting a fantastic person from Germany, Ute Boese. While having many humorous moments during conversations about the weather and other important topics in my linguistically challenged German, Ute and I discovered that we share the same enthusiasm for German food, drink and culture and hope that you call us - The German American Connection - for your travel, business and family research needs.

Jo Ann

Contact Jo Ann Wolf


                                                                                                                                                        

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