About Kunterbunt: Stories from My Ordinary Extraordinary Life
by Christel Pfeiffer
Christel Pfeiffer escaped the Russians by seeking refuge inside a German tank, but often reminded us that her experiences were common among Europeans who lived through WWII. “We all have
such tales, and many are much more horrific,” she said. As a child, she found comfort in the rhythm of daily life, even as the German government of that time descended into darkness.
Christel’s life and generous story-telling underlines the healing and growth that can follow the atrocities of war. Despite the traumas that ingrain themselves in our DNA to be reborn in every generation, Christel’s stories illustrate the hope in embracing life, simple kindnesses, and friendship.
Christel was born in Berlin, Germany to Kurt and Charlotte Becker. She grew up near Dresden/Elbe, and barely escaped the disastrous Allied phosphor bombings of Dresden in February 1945. This was followed by a daring escape from the approaching Russians in May of that same year. She supported herself in Heidelberg, then occupied by US troops, as interpreter/secretary.
In 1953 she immigrated to Montreal, Canada, and later moved to Vancouver, BC. There she obtained her degree as laboratory technician, saved her money, and began a two year “working tour” around the world with her first stop in Los Angeles. She found a well-paying job which allowed her to buy a used car and start saving for her next stop which was to be Guadalajara, Mexico. The year was 1962, when something totally unexpected happened: she met her future husband, Augie Pfeiffer, and that was the end of the world trip.
Augie and Christel married in l963 and spent the next 25 years in San Diego. Christel worked for a while but then discovered other activities which kept her busy, such as the extensive cacti and succulent garden (visited by tourists and presented as a show case). Not knowing any better, she also became involved in civic affairs and set up the first assessment district ever in San Diego to acquire open space surrounding her neighborhood. One day she found a Texas desert tortoise at the front steps, which eventually led to publishing a magazine aptly named “The Turtle Hobbyist.” Her “home zoo” included at various times any number of tortoises and turtles as well as dogs, exotic birds, and a covey of quail. She traveled extensively with her husband in Europe with a special interest in Turkey. In the United States, the Pfeiffers explored the South and Northwest (mostly ghost towns) which was usually shared by a dog and one large California desert tortoise named, “Mister,” that simply would never go into hibernation on time.
A portion of the proceeds from the sale of Kunterbunt goes to the San Diego Turtle & Tortoise Society.
Kunterbunt: Stories from My Ordinary Extraordinary Life, by Christel Pfeiffer
Paperback, 157 Pages, $17.95