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I am in constant European withdrawal... though I also appreciate life here in North America.
One general statement I would like to make is I find that people who claim to be in European withdrawal when they come back home often write off all of the Europeanesque stuff as soon as they hit the ground, when in actual fact, if they really liked it, much of it is available on this side of the Atlantic if you take the trouble to look for it.
The most elusive things are block after block of charming architecture and, in much of North American, good public transportation. Hard to reproduce that.
But I find that a lot of the foodie and cultural trappings are pretty easy to find in any largish city in North America.
It seems that many people aren't that interested, and probably they liked "the moment" or "the idea" of sipping wine in a small European restaurant with tightly-packed tables more than the actual experience itself.
They're quite happy to return to their routine once back home.
But Acajack.....In Ottawa you have a good covered market....good euro style restaurants, Quebec city and Montreal nearby and when you want to see confusion "cross the pond" on a vacation... France, Italy and Spain are an overnight flight away. I live on the French Italian border at Ventimiglia and can't wait to come back to North America... poor economies, corrupt governments high taxes and angry people. I'm American and going to live in North Florida....But my advice is to visit Europe and stay in Canada or the USA
I did.. although I can't see myself living in Europe over the long run even if I'm eligible to emigrate (mostly because of their inferior economic freedom), I suffered quite a bit of withdrawal having lived there for 5 months almost 6 years ago:
- Public transportation and trains that are actually reliable.
- Greater varieties of food.
- Castles, museums, etc. Every city feels different and distinct.
- People generally live more balanced lives.
Can't wait to visit again, hopefully some time next year.
Europe is actually pretty free at least comparing to the rest of the world. Four European Nations rank above United States in the Heritage Foundation Index. United States ranks 12th freest nation in the world and is not ranked as Free but Mostly Free.
European ranks of the 178 nation ranked. United States included.
Quote:
Free (100-80)
4. Switzerland (Western Europe)
Mostly Free (79.9-70)
9. Ireland (Western Europe)
10. Denmark (Western Europe)
11. Estonia (Eastern Europe) 12. United States
14. United Kingdom (Western Europe)
15. The Netherlands (Western Europe)
16. Luxembourg (Western Europe)
18. Germany (Western Europe)
19. Finland (Western Europe)
20. Sweden (Western Europe)
21. Lithuania (Eastern Europe)
23. Iceland (Western Europe)
24. Austria (Western Europe)
26. Czech Republic (Eastern Europe)
32. Norway (Western Europe)
There reason why you get these results is because of large parts of Europe (Thanks United States for it) was behind the Iron-curtain for 46 years and because Southern Europe always has been a political and economical mess. As you can see, Western European nation score around United States. Another reasons is that United States score high on labor freedom, operationalized to ratio of minimum wage to the average value added per worker, hindrance to hiring additional workers, Rigidity of hours, difficulty of firing redundant employees, legally mandated notice period, and Mandatory severance pay. It means that the European worker has more protection and a stronger voice against the employer than worker in United States. Other than that United States does not score significantly higher than most of the Western Nations. In fact, socialist Sweden on every issue other than government spending (although they does not borrowing in the same rate as USA) and Labor freedom.
The business climate in Sweden (Yes, you have to give your workers five weeks vacation and pay them a livable salary) is actually better than in United States. The Western European model is to protect the worker but other than that you are free. The idea of United States is to have over-regulated government and let the poor workers pay what it cost. Having both citizens in USA and in a western European country I would disagree with you. I think United States is pretty socialist and overregulated for being a western country. Once upon a time there were freedom in United States but these are taken away (by the corrupt US politicans) from the Americans. Sadly, the Americans have not to snapped up from it and done something about it.
I love Europe/the UK and had the pleasure of living in Germany for several years. My husband and I make a point to travel to Europe every few years to explore - we love history.
I really look forward to our trips, but I'm also always glad to get home. In my daily life, however, I've incorporated quite a bit of what I consider the "European lifestyle." I am a stickler about quality breads for instance, and cheeses. I have learned to cook some of my favorite German and British foods. I am a tea freak - LOL. I have always been, since early childhood, a sort of Anglophile - I love British history, movies, literature, etc. and am constantly watching some sort of BBC programming or reading a great book by one of my favorite British authors.
I've found many of my favorite European foods and goodies online and order them pretty regularly, which reminds me - I need to place my annual lebkuchen order!
We have an extensive collection of Polish pottery as well as some really nice Central European and Eastern European antiques and knick knacks, so our home has a sort of Old World feel to it. Some of the artwork we have hanging is Bohemian and antique German, with some old German text. I've used toile as a fabric in a couple of rooms, which gives a nice "old world" feel to the rooms, but my favorite decorating era/style is Jugendstil/Art Nouveau and I have a lot of those touches throughout the house, which definitely gives a Prague flair to my surroundings.
My favorite European foods, that I've incorporated into our lives on a regular basis, are Yorkshire pudding, scones, clotted cream, Yorkshire teas, German hot potato salad, red cabbage, breads and cheeses and cold cuts, etc. I really like German breakfasts, and English plowman's lunches. I also am glad that I've discovered some excellent British "biscuits" and German and Dutch and Belgian crackers and cookies and little sweets. I keep a number of those in stock as well.
I also like some German wines, especially for dessert wines. Love Eiswein!
We have a very Germanic feel to our Christmas festivities - no one does Christmas quite as well as the Germans in my opinion! We have a big collection of German and eastern European Christmas music and I love the tone it sets in our Texas home.
It's hard to replicate the charming villages - in fact, it really can't be done. We have some gorgeous scenery and picturesque towns and cities in the US, but overall, the terrain and architecture just aren't the same as some of my favorite European areas. That's why I love to go back to visit every couple of years.
Plus - we don't have castle ruins...and I'm always up for some castle ruin exploring!
But in the end, I ADORE living in Texas and wouldn't want to permanently move to Europe. I appreciate what it has to offer though, and there's no doubt in my mind that if I had to live in Europe, I could be quite happy there.
I did.. although I can't see myself living in Europe over the long run even if I'm eligible to emigrate (mostly because of their inferior economic freedom),
But over years I have understood the meaning of an ancient expression: you can change your sky, but you can't change your mind.
Another expression: l'abito non fa il monaco.
In other words, you have to work hard to be the person you want to be, you have to work hard to shape the environment the way you want it to be, and the place where you do those things has to be exactly where you are, no matter where you are.
So now the expression, for me at least, stands on its head: you can't change your sky, but you can change your mind.
Europe is actually pretty free at least comparing to the rest of the world. Four European Nations rank above United States in the Heritage Foundation Index. United States ranks 12th freest nation in the world and is not ranked as Free but Mostly Free.
.
US really should be in the "non-free" list, as all regulations and laws come from mega-corporations sponsoring US government via legalized bribe scheme called here "lobbying" and designed to favour them not small or medium size businesses not to mention individuals who are generally treated as scam targets. Majority of large corporations here in the US do not even pay income tax because of endless number of tax loopholes specifically put in by the government and successfully used by the army of corporate lawyers.
Quality of housing, food, access to educational and health care systems are so inferior to countries like Germany that in most parts US really looks and feels like third world country.
But Acajack.....In Ottawa you have a good covered market....good euro style restaurants, Quebec city and Montreal nearby and when you want to see confusion "cross the pond" on a vacation... France, Italy and Spain are an overnight flight away. I live on the French Italian border at Ventimiglia and can't wait to come back to North America... poor economies, corrupt governments high taxes and angry people. I'm American and going to live in North Florida....But my advice is to visit Europe and stay in Canada or the USA
Yes please stay in America
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