Sunshine Always Makes It Brighter..
There is a lot to be said for "looking on the bright side". Especially these days as the Euro totters, political alliances teeter and the Earth does her own rumble! Storm clouds are on the distant horizon.
Europe, despite the gnashing of teeth and rattling of economic sabers and whips still has its' cultural allure and charms in the summer sun. If one is a Good Tourist and travels about with a Mark Twain twang of Innocence, there is still much to be enjoyed. Stick to the guided tours and all will be well.
My favorite European notion is the bicycle. Here it is not merely a hobby or fitness tool, but a reliable and, enjoyable means of legitimate, public transport. The bike paths are on equal standing with the roads and trains and go from city to city and country to country. they are mapped, paved and accessible. It is not unusual for European families to pack themselves up for some serious cross-country biking travel.
Oddly enough, with relatively low crime rates in most places, bikes are prime crime targets. European bike stealing is on par to car theft. Perhaps it's that "transport equality" notion. Some European cities have battled this criminal wave by simply supplying bikes for free use. Grab one, ride it, drop it off. Novel and refreshing. Sort of like what Amsterdam did with marijuana. Took all the fun out of breaking the law. Although suburban rumor has it, an inordinate amount of city bikes have turned up on the African continent. Which could be considered a major plus for promoting positive environmental practices. Always look on the bright side... ta dum te dum..
Another excellent European cultural perk is that always present bottle of wine and the casualness that accompanies it. There is a certain lack of concern that comes as your average European lights up a cigarette and pours out their first glass of wine. Life is too short to not sit back and enjoy. Work will still be there, and will have to get done, but this day will be gone forever. Enjoy it.
As the political battle rages towards the next US election, I cannot help but wonder, would we be a little less anxious and angry if we didn't have to worry about getting sick, knew we had a mandatory holiday coming up and could just open the bottle of wine to simply enjoy the taste ? Why are we so adamant on the "evils" of free health care and old age pensions. Americans are hard workers but out of all the world, get the least out of their hard work. We are still the only country where your hospital bills can destroy your life and make you lose your home. Where working hard all year still leaves you without the means or allotted days to take a holiday.
I am not a fan of politicians in general. I listen to them with a whole shaker of salt by my side. I am equally amused and appalled at their talent for saying and answering nothing. I watch their actions as avidly as I watch a magician to catch the slight-of-hand. These days I watch and wonder, where are they aiming to "lead" us. Their track record for the world is not good and those fear based short-sighted policies only seem to make more long-term disasters. And what I Really find fascinating is how millions of dollars are raised (and bragged about) for political campaigns while the country itself goes bankrupt and people are hungry and homeless. How weird is That!
Here in Europe, the game is the same as back home. Lots of flash and fake cash. I can't ignore the brewing storms of winter coming, but for now, I will grab a bike and head to the cafe for a glass of wine, some good conversation and enjoy the day.
Sometimes, when you travel to foreign lands you take home a nasty virus, other times, a few new and good habits.
Care to join me?
Europe, despite the gnashing of teeth and rattling of economic sabers and whips still has its' cultural allure and charms in the summer sun. If one is a Good Tourist and travels about with a Mark Twain twang of Innocence, there is still much to be enjoyed. Stick to the guided tours and all will be well.
My favorite European notion is the bicycle. Here it is not merely a hobby or fitness tool, but a reliable and, enjoyable means of legitimate, public transport. The bike paths are on equal standing with the roads and trains and go from city to city and country to country. they are mapped, paved and accessible. It is not unusual for European families to pack themselves up for some serious cross-country biking travel.
Oddly enough, with relatively low crime rates in most places, bikes are prime crime targets. European bike stealing is on par to car theft. Perhaps it's that "transport equality" notion. Some European cities have battled this criminal wave by simply supplying bikes for free use. Grab one, ride it, drop it off. Novel and refreshing. Sort of like what Amsterdam did with marijuana. Took all the fun out of breaking the law. Although suburban rumor has it, an inordinate amount of city bikes have turned up on the African continent. Which could be considered a major plus for promoting positive environmental practices. Always look on the bright side... ta dum te dum..
Another excellent European cultural perk is that always present bottle of wine and the casualness that accompanies it. There is a certain lack of concern that comes as your average European lights up a cigarette and pours out their first glass of wine. Life is too short to not sit back and enjoy. Work will still be there, and will have to get done, but this day will be gone forever. Enjoy it.
As the political battle rages towards the next US election, I cannot help but wonder, would we be a little less anxious and angry if we didn't have to worry about getting sick, knew we had a mandatory holiday coming up and could just open the bottle of wine to simply enjoy the taste ? Why are we so adamant on the "evils" of free health care and old age pensions. Americans are hard workers but out of all the world, get the least out of their hard work. We are still the only country where your hospital bills can destroy your life and make you lose your home. Where working hard all year still leaves you without the means or allotted days to take a holiday.
I am not a fan of politicians in general. I listen to them with a whole shaker of salt by my side. I am equally amused and appalled at their talent for saying and answering nothing. I watch their actions as avidly as I watch a magician to catch the slight-of-hand. These days I watch and wonder, where are they aiming to "lead" us. Their track record for the world is not good and those fear based short-sighted policies only seem to make more long-term disasters. And what I Really find fascinating is how millions of dollars are raised (and bragged about) for political campaigns while the country itself goes bankrupt and people are hungry and homeless. How weird is That!
Here in Europe, the game is the same as back home. Lots of flash and fake cash. I can't ignore the brewing storms of winter coming, but for now, I will grab a bike and head to the cafe for a glass of wine, some good conversation and enjoy the day.
Sometimes, when you travel to foreign lands you take home a nasty virus, other times, a few new and good habits.
Care to join me?
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