For almost 20 years, their fans have been able to follow Konny and Manu Reimann through their everyday life as emigrants on TV. With their book, the Reimanns once again underline their life motto. In the GALA interview, Konny talks about how his difficult childhood still shapes him today, why he and Manu are always so “relaxed” – and whether Hawaii is really the final destination for them.
When we meet Konny, 68, and Manu Reimann, 55, in Hamburg for our interview, the two have had chaotic days behind them: the couple flew from Hawaii to Germany for the press tour of their new book “Simply Do.” It’s actually a trip that they take two to three times a year, as they tell us. Only this time things didn’t go smoothly: “Out of four planes, three were broken,” remembers Manu with a smile. It’s not all that bad, because she has her Konny at her side. And he’s “the kind of man who then tells you: ‘Well, you can’t change it. We’ll get there.'”
Konny Reimann: “I fundamentally reject any violence”
GALA: Konny, in your book you spoke very privately about your childhood and your violent stepfather. How do these experiences still influence you today?
Konny: I fundamentally reject any violence because I have experienced it. We haven’t even said a bad word in our entire lives. We don’t use fecal language either. Sometimes things slip out like that, but not against us now. And then you have to pay a dollar into our swear fund. But I believe that if you can get along well with each other, […] Then we will live together for another 100 years.
What are your biggest differences as a married couple?
Manu: We agree on a lot of things. We do have differences in character. Konny is the calmer one, I’m more the bubbly one (laughs).
Konny: I have to bring Manu back down to earth every now and then.
When Manu got the offer to have a TV team accompany his Texas adventure, they didn’t agree. In the end, Manu was able to prevail.
Manu: His exact words were: ‘This is too private. That’s nobody’s business.’
Konny: We don’t need that, I said.
Manu: When I got this email, I thought: Oh, that’s a great thing, maybe one day for our grandchildren. Can we show how Grandma and Grandpa emigrated to America? That’s a big step to take, even as a family.
The Reimann family is now scattered all over the USA
When you moved from Hamburg to Texas in 2004: Did you have any concerns about what the farewell and new life would be like for your children?
Konny: We asked them and they said: ‘Where mom and dad go, we go too.’ Very easy. If they had said no, we would have gone anyway (laughs).
Manu: We’ve been there several times on vacation, they knew where we were going. And they found it just as exciting as we did. It was a great adventure for them too and they were just as excited about it as we were. They were also very uncomplicated.
No matter whether in Hamburg, Texas or Hawaii: Konny and Manu Reimann are only available in a double pack!
© Kabel Eins / Lucie XYZ
Your daughter lives in Portland with her small family, your son stayed in Texas with his children. You both travel a lot: Are there any new places that appeal to you as a future home?
Konny: We’ll take a look.
Manu: We don’t actually watch. So we’re not looking, but maybe this place will find us at some point. And then the journey continues.
Konny: We travel around the world a lot. And we look at what we like. And then the whole thing just works, we don’t worry about it.
Manu: For us, it’s usually always our friends; When we travel to another country, they basically hold their breath and think: ‘Oh dear, now they’re moving on again.’ A lot of people actually expect that.
What are your next travel destinations?
Konny: We don’t say that (laughs). Just watch TV.
Life in Hawaii has rubbed off on the Reimanns
From Texas to Hawaii: What are the biggest differences you’ve noticed for yourself?
Konny: The way people treat each other. In Hawaii they are a little more open and cheerful.
Manu: And very chilled. Hawaii really got me down. When you’re angry, you turn your head and look at the sea and then you think: What do you actually want? It could be worse.
You seem so relaxed and at peace with yourself. Is it really just the Hawaiian way of life that you have internalized, or are there more reasons?
Konny: Maybe one reason why we are so relaxed is that we don’t watch the news. We notice so little.
Manu:(laughs) And the important thing, the really important thing, will come through to you. You do not have to know everything.
If you had to sum up your life, your adventures and your adopted homes: Would you do it the same way again?
Konny: Clear.