Report from Germany & Amsterdam

[SoCalDem]

Our son returned from his World Cup jaunt to Europe and came by last night with goodies for us. We all went to dinner and got the low-down on his whirlwind trip. His buddy who had never been outside the US went with him.. His friend was amazed at how things happen there.. (Our son went to college in Florence Italy and has traveled all over Europe)

His friend was astonished the first morning in Amsterdam when HORDES of street-cleaning PEOPLE descended on the streets and canals, meticulously cleaning everything BY HAND..well with brooms & vacuums. The buddy couldn't figure out why they didn't just get some big ole streetsweepers..

They spent their time wandering around, using public transportation and walking..never missed using a car.. Ate mostly "on the street" from vendors.. Our son said his friend was shocked at how casual everyone was, and how no one seemed in a hurry..

His friend has asthma, and had to see a doctor while they were there..cost about $10, including medicine..

They were too cheap to spend a lot on tickets TO the games, and mostly hung out in the plazas with big screen tv and were stunned to see Romanian young people all decked out in USA gear to cheer for the US team..and Japanese tourists cheering for the US team too.. They stayed in a nice Hostel with other young people, and had a great time playing foosball and darts with people they couldn't even speak to.. (He said they heard about 50 languages in the Hostel)

The American people were easy to spot.. They were the LOUD ones :)_

[havocmom]

1. Ah, the power of actual experiences!

What a concept. Bet your son had fun being the old pro at the travel thing. Hope his friend gained a lot of insight and sees that the way things are in his hood aren't the way things have to be. Exposure to other ways of living can be an empowering gift.

Thanks for the post. Hope it inspires many to break routines and get out of ruts.

[Retired AF Dem]

2. Be verrrrrry careful when you use a cross walk

in Amsterdam. And this comes with personal experience.

[lyonn]

3. I think cross walks all over Europe could be a hazard

Many years ago we spent some time in France with a friend that had lived there with his military family and gave us an insiders version of what to look for or look out for. Crossing streets was one of them. Best I could figure out is that you need to take care of yourself cause no one else is. We are a bit coddled here in the U.S. When there is a fender bender the French take care of it right there, no police, they holler at each other, threaten, etc. It was funny. We were circling the Arc of Triump trying to get off when we slightly hit the car in front of us and we all kept going. That too was sorta funny. Americans are uptight and feel they have to play some role, not sure what they expect when in a different country. If you treat people in other countries with respect it helps a lot when traveling. Course the French have their own "issues."

[Retired AF Dem]

4. Course the French have their own "issues."

This is true. I was waiting at a cross walk in Amsterdam one time. One car stopped to let me cross. While I was walking through the cross walk another car passed the car that stopped for me and almost ran me over. In Germany place one foot into a cross walk and everybody comes to a dead stop.

[TreasonousBastard]

5. No report on "that" part of Amsterdam...

or certain goings-on by the Dam? Some things are best not mentioned at family gettogethers, I suppose. But, yes, a trip to Europe with an open mind and a good guide is an amazing experience.

The armies of streetsweepers that Amsterdam and Paris hire at enornmous expense, though, is not always seen in other cities. When I lived around Arnheim, I remember the game of dodge the dogshit everyone played while trying to walk down the sidewalks.

No litter, but tons of dogshit.

[SoCalDem]

6. He told us about their foray into a place with certain "items" on the menu

and how they enjoyed watching a bunch of japanese guys trying desperately to get something lit..and to keep it lit.. our son's nearly 28, and one could hardly fault him for trying something legal :)