Whether in the Baltics, Cuba, Greece, Mexico, Russia, China, or the USA: His travel notes reveal Eugen Ruge as an attentive observer, with a special sensitivity to what only becomes comprehensible in another place and serves as a mirror of political and moral backgrounds. Eugen Ruge travels through Russia and Mexico, initially tracing his own family history as part of his research for the still-developing novel "In Times of Diminishing Light." With his literary breakthrough and growing international interest, a new chapter begins: the author is invited as a guest, and his perspective on cities and countries shifts accordingly. Yet the traveler remains true to himself, viewing people, customs, and landscapes with independent engagement and critical humor, never shy of speaking his mind, but always ready to question expectations.