Some reflections and further thoughts on our European trip October 2017

There is no doubt about it Lapland was a wonderful revelation. It is a very beautiful area which has remained fairly pristine for now and hopefully will continue to do so within the economic bounds permitted. Of course, there has to be tourism but sensible development will make the area better not worse. Sadly, the hotel being built at the top of the fell Kaunispaa near Sariselka is probably not a good example of sensible tourist development but it is to be hoped that this is only an aberration because the area is too beautiful and serene to be marred by ugly developments. We saw the area in the early fall and it would be amazing to see it in deep mid-winter covered in snow.

One wonders what will become of the Sami people who occupy this region both on the Finnish and Norwegian sides. Will they be able to sustain reindeer farming? Already the routines of old have changed and herding is done with snowmobiles and the grazing areas have changed. Sami are no longer really nomadic herders and life for them is rather easier than of old but that is good for them even if it sees some traditions dying out.

it is always so interesting to compare the daily life in other countries and the stark differences between Europe and the USA. Public transport, social and cultural facilities are considered to be prerequisites in Europe. The swimming pool where we aqua-jogged was reasonably priced and a beautiful facility open to all. The library was a cultural center in itself. The public transport was clean, comfortable, affordable and efficient. Of course, this has to be paid for and taxes are higher but the dividend is so real. In Germany, it was similar, things ran on time, the price was reasonable and the access easy. I am always amazed at how tourists, confronted with the 1, 2 & 3 trains or the A, C or E trains make head or tail of anything in New York City.

Berlin was also quite a surprising place with some really wonderful old buildings and even the new buildings fit in well with the old ones a lesson yet to be learned by New York whose architecture goes from bad to awful in one block. There is no doubt that the Berlin authorities have shown real care in how their city was rebuilt after the devastation of WWll. When one considers that the Berlin Wall fell and the two parts of Germany were reunited only 28 years ago, even the eastern side of the city is looking quite spry.

Our German Greeter, Michael, spoke a lot about the Prussians and the fact that they really did not come from anywhere that was designated as Prussia and that 'Prussian' was as much a state of mind as anything. It embodied some sort of 'following the rules and doing the right thing' mentality and of service to ones' fellow men. Obviously, this can be and has been misused but when properly applied you can see the results in Germany. As MAC pointed out, everyone waits for the little 'green man' to show at an intersection before entering the crosswalk, (except her of course!!). When we arrived shortly after, in Italy, we saw the opposite. Whether living in Germany if not born a German would be enjoyable, who can say.

A model of the little green Ampelmann man who gives leave to cross the street

Then, there was wonderful, chaotic, beautiful, irregular Italy. Nothing is ever what it seems and Italy should just be considered an irregular verb unconjugatable or definable. The countryside seems to just envelope one in its undulating landscape and mellow stone work. Yes, everything looks like it needs to be repaired right now but somehow it still stands and looks amazing in its dilapidation. What seems to be nonviable, isn't and what seems to be viable isn't either. I just love the way that Italy confuses the GPS!! How Italians and Germans occupy the same continent is a constant puzzle and when I worked for a company which contained German, French and Italian shipping companies somehow the dichotomies gelled in unexpected ways.

What better way to describe 'Trash'

This was a great trip and covered terrific ground with lovely and interesting contrasts and stimulating company. 

One never to be forgotten.