Ah, Europe. Such a beautiful and rich history. Well, let me strike beautiful and make that convoluted. As one of my history profs H. Stuart Hughs once said, "I love Europe and truly enjoy spending my time there, but I definately understand why I remain an American citizen and always will." Besides the fact that he is a remarkable man, those words echoed true in my own mind. I first went to Europe in 1991 to meet my sister who had spent the year in Hull, England. It was also sort of a graduation from high school. My parents and I met her in Edinborough, Scotland where she was participating in the annual fringe festival. On that trip I remained in England and Scotland. I enjoyed it immensely. I especially loved Scotland and the Lake District in England. It was a good intro to Europe without huge culture shock. However, I was surprised to see a hierarchy of classes--in regards to society--that is not as evident in the U.S.. I also noticed the severe lack of good dental and body odor practices. Another alarming thing that I noticed is the prevalence of peopple lacking chins (sorry, but I just can't hang with people who lack chins--it's a strange personal thing). On a positive aspect, I noticed a large amount of people with deformities. Now, you are probably wondering how that's a positive thing, but it is. People in Europe don't really trip that much over a person's physical imperfections. Unlike in the U.S., Europeans realize that perfection is not a necessity. People don't have to feel shamed for what they look like. And this is coming from me who, while not a great physical specimen, is without any significant outward physical abnormalities.

My second trip to Europe was more of immersion into continental European life. As a graduation from college (after 5 tumultuous years) present from my parents in 1996. On that trip, I flew into Amsterdam (where I spent the 4th of July with one of my best friends, Erik, in the Heineken brewery), trained up to Denmark, took the Ferry to Sweden, drove all around Sweden up to Stockholm, trained to Goteborg, flew to Cologne, Germany, took a cruise down the Rhine to Frankfurt and flew back to that states. I could go into my impressions about every city, but that would take forevers. But thanks to Pat, another good friend of mine who gave me a journal to take notes during my travels, I recorded my thoughts and activities as I traveled for those great five weeks. So, I'll just give a brief overview of things.

First of all, Europeans have a great sense of stylye and flair. Europeans definately know how to dress--especially the women!!!! Second, I love the European attitude. Europeans know how to enjoy life and not really worry about minutia. Also, Europeans have the proper, at least in my mind, attitude towards sex and the human body. Nakedness is okay and sex is natural. More than that, everybody has their own unique preferences when it comes to both sex and physical attraction ranging from plain to super freaky. That seems to be such a basic collective thought process, but America just can't seem to grasp that. Europeans have not been inflicted with Puritanical constraints. Another thing that admire about Europeans is that a large portion of them are imbued with a sense of duty and responsibility in a manner that is not all too prevalent in the US. The European commitment to family and area where they were raised is refreshing to me. In America, it is too easy to detach ones self from their environment. Divorce, the ease of relocation, and constant change of American society has seemingly allowed Americans to remove a great deal of responsibility as well. Not that they are inextricably linked, just that most Americans have used the aforementioned circumstances as an "out" of their duties. Europeans are committed to who they are and where they came from--and the duties and benefits that go with them. Along those same lines, Europeans have a greather sense of historicity than Americans do. What I mean by that is that they have an idea of their place in historical context. For cripes sake, most Americans can't even name 10 of the 50 states let alone be aware of their place in the scheme of the world and time. Americans tend to live in their own, private, isolated world most of the time. Maybe it's because most Europeans aren't afforded such luxuries, but they realize that they must deal with other and differing people and opinions. Americans try to force their ideals and practies on those they come in contact with. Europeans have learned that they have to deal with others and live in a state of acceptance/tolerance. I am not saying that this is absolutely everywhere in Europe or that it's been around for a long time, but that was just my experience and impressions.

Granted, Europe is somewhat trapped by some of its history that I have just explained as being a benfit. They are still caught up in ancient rivalries, forced to follow old laws and values based soley on tradition and habit, and live & work ina nd around decrepid buildings due to their place in history. While those constraints can give guidnace, they can also inhibit creativity and new direction.

On the other hand, Americans are way too quick to discard something because it is old or imperfect. So, there must be a happy medium and I do think that modern Europe is trending towards that. And speaking of a modern Europe, I have to have my say on the EU/EC/whatever they call it these days. The breaking down of trade barriers and borders is a good thing. Creating one currency and economy, political framework, or social systems is a bad thing--a very bad thing. Besides from the fact that it will never work, it just goes against everything that Europeans are. I believe that that will only lead to ultra-nationalism (which we all know is extremly dangerous) or a lacking of identity/care/concern for one's country/area in which they live. I am amazed at how the US stays together--and we have a history of unification. I just don't think that it is possible for Europeans to forget or forgive all that has passed between them. If they can, I would truly be amazed, but until then I guess I will remain a sceptic on that matter.

I still hae much to learn and experience about Europe (as well as most things in lfe). I know that I have only done northern Europe and have yet to experience southern or central Europe which are vastly different. And most of all, I have yet to experience LA FRANCE! (it must be said with an exclamation and and a nasal pronunciation) or else my francophile membership card will be revoked. So much to do and such little time and money. But, it will happen....oh yes it will.

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