Being overseas, I am getting a unique perspective of America, and of American Holidays. In the last 4 wks, so many little differences have presented themselves. Some are quarky and funny, others are annoying and seemingly backwards. I’m reminded of the part during the movie Pulp Fiction where the differences of Europe and America are discussed......
Vincent: And you know what they call a... a... a Quarter Pounder with Cheese in Paris?
Jules: They don't call it a Quarter Pounder with cheese?
Vincent: No man, they got the metric system. They wouldn't know what the fuck a Quarter Pounder is.
Jules: Then what do they call it?
Vincent: They call it a Royale with cheese.
Jules: A Royale with cheese. What do they call a Big Mac?
Vincent: Well, a Big Mac's a Big Mac, but they call it le Big-Mac.
Jules: Le Big-Mac. Ha ha ha ha. What do they call a Whopper?
Vincent: I dunno, I didn't go into Burger King.
Snow tires are mandatory, everything is closed on Sunday, toilet paper is like sandpaper….want those fancy new wheels for your car? Guess what, you have to apply for a permit for that. Even the streets here are numbered in the order in which the houses were built. I’m thinking the Mail deliverers aren’t unionized….
But I digress..
It’s thanksgiving, and the mystery around thanksgiving and the yearly slaughter of millions of turkey’s baffles no-one more than the Europeans. So it got me thinking, why do we celebrate thanksgiving, what makes it so important in the US.
We all learned the same story in school. The harmonious meeting of the Pilgrims and the Indians, and the feast they shared are the roots for what we celebrate today. But come on, things weren’t harmonious with the Indians for nearly every year since. Have you ever seen an Indian reservation? May not be as bad as the treatment of the Aboriginees in Australia, but I don’t think the Indians are exactly thanking their lucky stars that the pilgrims came either.
Iron Maiden captured this sentiment well in their popular jam “ run to the hills”.
So why do we really celebrate thanksgiving, and why is it so important? As is usually the case, the story we learned in school left a few very important details out. When the pilgrims arrived, they didn’t walk into prosperity. In fact, hell might be a better word for it. Lack of food, decent shelter, and disease drove over half of them back to England or the their grave within the first year. The pilgrims employed a communal approach to almost everything, including their food supply. Everyone contributed all of their food to a communal “pot” and the food was subsequently divided. Today, the problems with this system are evident to us. A person’s output has no bearing on their “reward”. People who don’t contribute still receive the benefits of others work.
“From each based on his ability, to each based on his need” comes to mind.
The governor of Plymouth, Governor Bradford, realized that continuing in this direction would only yield more of the same results. In a brilliant moment that was to change the course of history, he decided to allot each family their own land and make each man responsible for himself.
And what happened?
``This had very good success; for it made all hands very industrious, so as much more corne was planted than other waise would have bene by any means the Govr or any other could use, and saved him a great deall of trouble, and gave far better content.'' Bradford Noted.
This new approach yielded so much food, that the pilgrims had a surplus and decided to invite some guests. This is what we celebrate today, the first sufficient harvest to feed the pilgrims in the new world. Had it not been for this harvest, they most likely would not have lasted the winter.
But more important than the food, was the approach. To put it simply, Bradford had unknowingly implemented a capitalist approach and thus set the stage for the basis of the American economy. A little more than just sharing some stuffing with the neighboring Indians.
So there you have it...History as told by me. Go forth..eat turkey...pie..watch football. But raise a toast to the pilgrim's and the “invisible hand” they so gainfully employed.
Needless to say, i will be working tomorrow and Friday. The zeal for American history and capitalism just isn't the same here as it is in the states. But i'm thinking some schitzel, kraut and a beer will be almost as good as turkey..stuffing....mashed potato's.....cranberry sauce......rolls.......pie........pie.....
Crap.
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Saturday, November 19, 2005
And I thought Americans were paranoid
Did you know that in the span of about 15 minutes, the entire country of Switzerland can be cutoff from the rest of the world? I'm not kidding, literally cutoff. How you ask? Well, before i get into how, a little history lesson is in order.
The swiss are a fiercely independent people. They are and island, albeit a landlocked island, within the sea of other countries that is the European Union. One still needs a passport to enter or exit Switzerland, Switzerland still has its own currency, Switzerland has a very strong military and a surprising number of firearms in the country. If you mistakenly suggest to a Swiss that they are Austrian or German, you will get a quick and firm correction. So back to my question, how can the swiss cut themselves off?
Well, it turns out that during WWI and WWII the Swiss didn't just simply claim neutrality, they built a very strong military complex to ensure that they could remain neutral. For a landlocked country such as this it was important to control it's borders. The solution, to wire all roads and bridges in and out of the country with explosives so that they could be destroyed within a moments notice. This system still exists today along with hundreds of hidden bases, hospitals, airstrips, guns and other armaments throughout the country. What may look like a barn in a field, upon closer inspection, might be a steel shelter containing a cannon. Pretty incredible when you really think about it. Although many of the facilities have been mothballed or turned into museums, many are still in use or maintained for future use in a moments notice. Including the network of exploding roads! I'd like to get a picture of this, if there is anything to see. But that might be risky. Most of the borders have large concrete barriers on either side and a series of Metal plugs in the road, i think this is the explosives. In today's post 911 world, seeing someone climbing around a bridge with a camera is a red-flag in any country i think.
As an American, i don't think we appreciate the pressures of being landlocked. After all, we're surrounded by Canada and Mexico. Let's be honest, i don't see any real fear of an invasion by mounties or Mexicans. Some might argue we already being invaded by Mexico...but I'm not gonna touch that subject in this blurb. American's are fiercely independent just as are the Swiss. Independence in this case is almost the same as paranoid. It's been swiss law for over a decade that all new home construction includes a bomb shelter. American's haven't quite gone that far, but i do hear that Canada has the bomb now.
The swiss are a fiercely independent people. They are and island, albeit a landlocked island, within the sea of other countries that is the European Union. One still needs a passport to enter or exit Switzerland, Switzerland still has its own currency, Switzerland has a very strong military and a surprising number of firearms in the country. If you mistakenly suggest to a Swiss that they are Austrian or German, you will get a quick and firm correction. So back to my question, how can the swiss cut themselves off?
Well, it turns out that during WWI and WWII the Swiss didn't just simply claim neutrality, they built a very strong military complex to ensure that they could remain neutral. For a landlocked country such as this it was important to control it's borders. The solution, to wire all roads and bridges in and out of the country with explosives so that they could be destroyed within a moments notice. This system still exists today along with hundreds of hidden bases, hospitals, airstrips, guns and other armaments throughout the country. What may look like a barn in a field, upon closer inspection, might be a steel shelter containing a cannon. Pretty incredible when you really think about it. Although many of the facilities have been mothballed or turned into museums, many are still in use or maintained for future use in a moments notice. Including the network of exploding roads! I'd like to get a picture of this, if there is anything to see. But that might be risky. Most of the borders have large concrete barriers on either side and a series of Metal plugs in the road, i think this is the explosives. In today's post 911 world, seeing someone climbing around a bridge with a camera is a red-flag in any country i think.
As an American, i don't think we appreciate the pressures of being landlocked. After all, we're surrounded by Canada and Mexico. Let's be honest, i don't see any real fear of an invasion by mounties or Mexicans. Some might argue we already being invaded by Mexico...but I'm not gonna touch that subject in this blurb. American's are fiercely independent just as are the Swiss. Independence in this case is almost the same as paranoid. It's been swiss law for over a decade that all new home construction includes a bomb shelter. American's haven't quite gone that far, but i do hear that Canada has the bomb now.
Road to Lk Silvretta
Somehow...driving this road in a Smart seems wrong. i need a porsche..or better yet, a motorcycle! 
Sunday, November 13, 2005
My head hurts
I've got to slow down. Two years of this and I'm gonna be dead!
Friday was my first experience with the Swiss train system. It was a learning experience to say the least. I caught the 7PM train from Buchs which is about 5 km or so from my apartment. Parking, finding the station, buying the ticket, all that was fairly painless. Once on the train I met a group from a school up in Germany, a few Americans and a girl from Helsinki. All of them were very friendly. I think that applies to all Europeans actually.
After arriving in Zurich it was only a short walk to the Sugar Lounge where I was meeting people form the Zurich international club. The sugar lounge is a pretty trendy bar, not normally the place I would go to, but it didn't really matter. The beer was good, and I met allot of really cool people. Zurich is a very international city, very much a melting pot. I met people from as far away as Australia and the Philippines and as close as Germany. It was a great experience, I'm sure I'll be going back to the next bar night or event they have.
So back to the trains..The real fun came on the way back. I was having so much fun at the bar, that I lost track of time and missed my train! One of the girls from the bar was also catching a train, and thankfully she offered to help me find a way home. At the train station, we figured out a route that, after 4 train changes, should get me back to Buchs by 5AM or so! There was no direct train.
Crap
So I began my journey. Aude rode the train with me from Zurich to Winterthur, but that was her stop. So my help ended there! From Winterthur I headed to St Gallen, arriving around 2AM. So far, not so bad. Here is where the trouble started. the next train wasn't until 4:50. Almost 3 hrs away. So I was faced with quite a decision. Hang around St gallen for three hours, or take a cab. I wandered around for a bit to see if I could find a bar or cafe to hang out in, but there was nothing opened. After about an hour I bit the bullet and cabbed it home. I would be embarrassed to say how much it was. Let's just say I don't think I will ever miss my train again. I got home at 5 AM.
On saturday night i went out with some co workers..we stayed out till about 3. These freeking europeans can drink! Today i went for a hike in the mtns to clear my head and get rid of my hangover. nothing like 2500m of vertical and some mtn air to make you feel good.
Friday was my first experience with the Swiss train system. It was a learning experience to say the least. I caught the 7PM train from Buchs which is about 5 km or so from my apartment. Parking, finding the station, buying the ticket, all that was fairly painless. Once on the train I met a group from a school up in Germany, a few Americans and a girl from Helsinki. All of them were very friendly. I think that applies to all Europeans actually.
After arriving in Zurich it was only a short walk to the Sugar Lounge where I was meeting people form the Zurich international club. The sugar lounge is a pretty trendy bar, not normally the place I would go to, but it didn't really matter. The beer was good, and I met allot of really cool people. Zurich is a very international city, very much a melting pot. I met people from as far away as Australia and the Philippines and as close as Germany. It was a great experience, I'm sure I'll be going back to the next bar night or event they have.
So back to the trains..The real fun came on the way back. I was having so much fun at the bar, that I lost track of time and missed my train! One of the girls from the bar was also catching a train, and thankfully she offered to help me find a way home. At the train station, we figured out a route that, after 4 train changes, should get me back to Buchs by 5AM or so! There was no direct train.
Crap
So I began my journey. Aude rode the train with me from Zurich to Winterthur, but that was her stop. So my help ended there! From Winterthur I headed to St Gallen, arriving around 2AM. So far, not so bad. Here is where the trouble started. the next train wasn't until 4:50. Almost 3 hrs away. So I was faced with quite a decision. Hang around St gallen for three hours, or take a cab. I wandered around for a bit to see if I could find a bar or cafe to hang out in, but there was nothing opened. After about an hour I bit the bullet and cabbed it home. I would be embarrassed to say how much it was. Let's just say I don't think I will ever miss my train again. I got home at 5 AM.
On saturday night i went out with some co workers..we stayed out till about 3. These freeking europeans can drink! Today i went for a hike in the mtns to clear my head and get rid of my hangover. nothing like 2500m of vertical and some mtn air to make you feel good.
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
7 Days later...
Well, i arrived last week and i think i'm finally getting over the jetlag and onto the local time schedule. Last week i was up until midnight or later almost everynight. That's not so bad on the weekend, but not a real good idea on the weekdays when you have to be up at 7.
Last week was all about getting settled....moved into apartment, registered with the police, got a health checkup, signed up for insurance, opened a bank account, got my living permit...blah blah blah. all the usual stuff one does when you move. Except that here...i needed a translator nearly everywhere i went! the HR dude knows more about me than i do i think.
Work is extremely busy...in a good way. Everyone has been very nice and accomodating. It definetely has helped allot that i've been here a half dozen times or so and know most of the people. I've been able to jump right in and start working with very little downtime. Of course..it doesn't help that my computer at work is entirely in german. i could probably switch it, but i think it's a good way to familiarize myself with the language. Actually, I should start German classes in a week or so. In the meantime i've mastered the art of communicating through pictures and hand gestures. i feel like Helen Keller. HA! wait...that's probably inappropriate. I took some pics around the area and of my new apartment...my camera has been acting up though so i was only able to upload a few. The outside shots are ones that I took on the road up the mountain to the Malbun ski area. Ski season starts in about 2 wks!!!!
This past Saturday i went to Zurich for the day. Awesome town...cool bars (the Noble Dubliner!!!), shopping, tons of people from all over, i even found an all english bookstore. I joined an Expat group based in Zurich, i think that will be good for meeting new people and making some new friends. This Friday they've got a bar night so, assuming i can find the train station here in Buchs, i'll take the train up.
Chow!
thats what they say for goodbye here. really..it is.
stop laughing...i'm not kidding.
Last week was all about getting settled....moved into apartment, registered with the police, got a health checkup, signed up for insurance, opened a bank account, got my living permit...blah blah blah. all the usual stuff one does when you move. Except that here...i needed a translator nearly everywhere i went! the HR dude knows more about me than i do i think.
Work is extremely busy...in a good way. Everyone has been very nice and accomodating. It definetely has helped allot that i've been here a half dozen times or so and know most of the people. I've been able to jump right in and start working with very little downtime. Of course..it doesn't help that my computer at work is entirely in german. i could probably switch it, but i think it's a good way to familiarize myself with the language. Actually, I should start German classes in a week or so. In the meantime i've mastered the art of communicating through pictures and hand gestures. i feel like Helen Keller. HA! wait...that's probably inappropriate. I took some pics around the area and of my new apartment...my camera has been acting up though so i was only able to upload a few. The outside shots are ones that I took on the road up the mountain to the Malbun ski area. Ski season starts in about 2 wks!!!!
This past Saturday i went to Zurich for the day. Awesome town...cool bars (the Noble Dubliner!!!), shopping, tons of people from all over, i even found an all english bookstore. I joined an Expat group based in Zurich, i think that will be good for meeting new people and making some new friends. This Friday they've got a bar night so, assuming i can find the train station here in Buchs, i'll take the train up.
Chow!
thats what they say for goodbye here. really..it is.
stop laughing...i'm not kidding.
Sunday, October 23, 2005
First Post
Well, this is my inaugural post. I'm not much of a blogger, but I decided to start this to keep in touch with friends and family when I move to Europe next Saturday. That's right, next Saturday I'm moving to Liechtenstein, the small country between Austria and Switzerland. I'm moving there for work to begin a position at my company's headquarters. It's a two year gig and i'm really looking forward to it. It's also known as a tax haven, so it's got that added benefit for me. ~6% income tax!
I'm going to use this mainly to post pics and info on my travels over the next two years in Europe. Enjoy!
I'm going to use this mainly to post pics and info on my travels over the next two years in Europe. Enjoy!
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