Pedro I Rengel wrote:In a way, that's exactly what I mean.
Thank you about Paris, for it is true. In Rome, for example, I did fully just feel like a Tourist. Not to mention the Vatican. Or Greece. Except the holy sites in Greece which, well... Ok that's another topic, let's relax.
And the castles of France. Those... well, again, let's just chill for a second.
Yes, France... you're of course from there, as Quebec is just an old province.
In Amsterdam I was a tourist.
I think Amsterdam is really hard to get to know. There is zero relationship between the tourist picture and the way people think of and go about the city. The sobriety of the dutch is such that they know exactly what to put cup front without even thinking about taking that in any way as of themselves. A tourist guide to the city will always feel like a tourist, pointing out things he would never have thought about caring about if he didn't have that job. Its true. Amsterdam is cynical and giddy in that. What tells the real story somewhat is the supporters at the Juventus game.
That was pretty damn good of them to win there.
Then City - Spurs was insanity. I like to get back into football now that Ajax is playing a distinguishable game again. Im easily bored by other teams and Ajax has taken good while to recover from the looser regulations that make it harder for smaller teams to compete. They have a financial director from the 95 team (Overmars) who finally got his way and has the wage-ceiling removed which the old red bred god Cruyff had demanded. It is a cool sport, though it can't take the place of the 4 American sports combined, it is greater than each of them individually. Thats the key to the US - the right combination of things.
Haven't been to Germany or Austrie,
These are the center of Europe as such. Where France concerns a lot of the rest of the world too, Germany precisely concerns only Germany. Since it is in the center of Europe, that makes Europe pretty much "what concerns Germany". No other country feels as strong, and ready. Ready for whatever, meaning for whatever
it will decide to do.
Austria is what Germans dream, I think. The land there gets lush the second you cross the border, and the music on the radio will be the best and most contemplative beauty you'll lever heard on a nights drive. Radio in Germany is decent, too, but Austrian radio could cause me to weep in astonished gratitude for such self-respect among humans. It doesn't, because it is too calming. Hm. Not very thorough descriptions of the countries. I love them too much. Too much, man.
but I have been there in my mind and been a tourist.
You could become a German or an Austrian if you tried. The straightforwardness is compatible. Viennese aristos would have fits of hysterical laughter at your shenanigans. Genius is appreciated and weirdness taken for granted. Manners are a must but they're not too refined, so you can astonish them with sublime manners.
To the countries of the Adriatic I have no pre-existing link, but I get the feeling we would relate a lot, and I would not fully feel like a tourist.
I havent been there, constantly plan to but it doesn't happen. I know these Kroats from Vienna and they're the nicest, most sophisticated badasses. Hilarious how they are deeply fond of the monarchic gala-culture while being kind of footsoldierlike or low officer like in their demeanour. Very weird and different palette of identification than over here. I can imagine you'll relate.
In Belgium I was a tourist. But Belgium is more receptive to tourists in this sense: if you are just there to drink 100 different types of the best self brewed beers ever made by any man or group of men, sitting there in one of those weirdly impersonal plazas, Belgium likes you enough.
Belgium is so goddamn bizarre
When your car hits Belgian soil coming from Netherlands, the noise begins. You think Montreal has potholes, go onto a Belgian highway.
Then, there are these restaurant along the road where the wife makes one pie each week, and they sit it in a glass ... whatever these tings are called, "stolp" in Dutch. A wasp or two will be inside of the stolp guarding the last piece which will be sitting there waiting for you when you get the gas.
Then you get to a village to get some sleep and something to eat. You go into a tavern and sit at one of the many empty tables and order a piece of meat. It will be good meat. Beer will also be good. The nigh will fall and the forest will suddenly be around the next corner. Weird land.
In any case, I think you might agree, Europe's task at the moment is to turn its gaze inward, rather than try to take up the mantle of Leading Global Superpower.
Yes, yes.
Inevitable.
Europe is discovering that it is pretty volatile again. That was always its specialty. Erupt for no reason into powerful chaos.
I think you may also agree, somewhat did just now, that the US is exceptionally well suited for that role.
Its the only country to which everyone can relate.
I don't see any alternatives emerging either.