Traveling Through Paradise
The recent drop in the Euro versus dollar feels like an American bonus for being pandemically good. The European Union operates as a single market with over 27 countries and outlying overseas members. A strong dollar makes EU travel virtually irresistible. A smorgasbord of travel delights.
Americans mentally and emotionally exhausted by the pandemic are hitting the purchase button on EU travel faster than the planes can take-off. That Italian, French or Spanish holiday calls out with visions of wine, cheese, pasta, beaches and castles. A dream ticket of experiences and romance brilliantly packaged in glossy Hollywood movies. It’s “Emily In Paris” with everyone in Paris walking around as if they all stepped off the catwalk. Nobody hungry or cold here.
Seven months later and Ukraine is fading from public Jane and Joe concerns. Our immunity to the suffering of others has, like global COVID vaccination rates, increased since our release from lockdown. Now, we just want to have fun. After all, we earned it. Right?
The beaches of Croatia and Spain are heaving with Americans replacing exited Brits. They queue for hours at the Musee du Louvre to glimpse the Mona Lisa (Her recent Cake -In The Face Incident has made her even more inscrutable) and dance naked in the Trevi Fountain. It’s great being a tourist or digital nomad. That euphoric hyper feeling of disconnection with everything.
I used to love travelling. Back in the day. When one wasn’t required to unpack and undress prior to every departure gate. Separate bins for everything now. My shoes can’t hang out with my laptop. And my camera has to part ways with my jacket. It’s a scramble to keep track of it all. Scarf on or off? Will my pants slide down while I hold my hands up in the machine? A battery of little annoyances beating at us without logic. And that’s Before reaching a departure gate.
Florida based Security Point Media has cornered the market on plastic security bins. Randy Goodman of the Houston Airport noted; "We believe in being innovative when it comes to enhancing customer service and finding new sources of revenue. With our new airport bin advertising program, we won't tap into our passengers or airlines' pockets, and we'll have clean, new bins every 90 days." No mention was made regarding actual use of plastics or the environment. But hey, if adverts on the bottom of the security bins makes you happy, toss in your shoes and life and shuffle on. You’re on holiday. Enjoy the perks. However, as a curious passenger, can anyone please tell me which of my pockets specifically they are not “tapping into”?
With staff shortages, additional service charges, multi-layovers and imminently cancelled flights I feel more like a hostage than a valued customer. The Points Guy advises “dressing up” if you want that Brass Ring upgrade. But not even a White and Warrens cashmere travel wrap stays clean and wrinkle free after 11 hours of praying for your plane to arrive or take-off. I know, I tried. Poor thing barely made it through 6 checks, 4 lay-overs and being crushed by a fellow passenger. Not sure if either of us will ever recover.
Meantime, back in the EU, lawmakers have declared that Hungary no longer qualifies as a democracy. Not sure if this comes in as a pro or con for American conservatives who favour its policies. The May 2022 CPAC Conference (Conservative Political Action) played host to several Red-blooded American conservatives like Fox News Tucker Carlson. They may see the country as an “anti-woke paradise”, but as foreigners (aka minorities/immigrants) the American brand of Christianity might not be so palatable to the locals. They like their goulash with some spice.
Germany continues to falter in the face of reality. German bakers recently turned off their lights, ALL DAY to protest rising energy costs incoming for October. To date, the beer continues to flow, so little notice was taken. German Economics Minister Robert Habeck advised businesses who could not afford the electricity hikes should just close down. I Want to comment, but my mouth still hurts from hitting the floor..
His own personal sacrifice to the cause is taking fewer showers. How an unwashed population supports fighting Putin remains unclear. Maybe it’s a new Skunk Tactic. Not being an economist just a curious journalist, brings me to question how shutting businesses helps the economy? Being a silly bugger, I have to ask, how people will pay the rent, buy food and manage to pay for electricity at home without jobs? Oh right, cold showers! The German solution. Something about a German conversation of “showers” viewed from a historical perspective makes me very nervous. Just saying.
Traveling to France via the ICE train is a lovely way to relax and watch those mountaintop castles flash past. I feel like I am starring in a glossy travel brochure. Once over the border from Germany, face masks are tossed as hot coffee and food trolleys roll down the aisle. German scowls are replaced with French charm and happier workers. French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire recently announced government price caps and subsidies for low-income households and single mothers. The recent Yellow Jackets (Mouvement des gilets jaunes), protest in Paris was a stark reminder to French politicians of the strength of worker unions. Historically, the French do not take kindly to being hungry and cold.
My American dollar buys me an extra latte and later on disembarking, a fresh croissant. I feel comforted by the Red, White and Blue flying overhead in the Paris Est station. It reminds me of home and our Constitutional writers who came here before me. France gave us the concept of “Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité” along with our Statue of Liberty. We owe her a nod for that.
Winter is coming. Fast. It will be a global winter of discontent. As the days cool, memories of Italian vacations and French wine will not be enough to distract us from the realities of rising inflation, broken logistics and empty store shelves. Companies are laying off employees and chain stores shuttering. Will Biden find a turkey to pardon? Will memories and the twinkling lights of Christmas be enough to keep us warm and safe?
Maybe the best gift we can give each other is in re-evaluating our values. A new version of “We The People”. A reset of, resistance. Resist fear. Resist hate. Resist separation. If any of us is to survive, we must do it together. Neighbours, cities, states, countries and the world.
Winter is coming. It’s time for all of us to come together. We, The People of the World.