Returning to the U.S. - Final Thoughts on Our Adventures in Europe

We returned to the US via Philadelphia, which my friend Jeff likened to Beirut.  Our experience re-entering US culture at this gateway was a terrible choice.  

It was a bit like being punched in the face with all of the things that we didn’t miss about being home.  People were loud, gruff and even rude.  Things moved slowly and inefficiently and there was so much tension, frustration and even anger around us.  The passport process was also overwhelming and confusing after leaving the smooth efficiencies of our overseas ports of call, especially having experienced the uber efficiency of Switzerland as our last stop before returning.  My passport agent was not simply unfriendly, he was actually slightly mean to me when I didn’t understand the process.  Why?  And, if he is treating me this way, how must non-US citizens who don’t speak the language and are likely more confused going to feel about visiting America if they pass by this counter on their way into the country?

During our time in Europe, we took three regional flights.  In all of those instances we did not experience any angry passengers.  We saw no one yell, or pace or get upset at security or while waiting to board the flight.  Airline and security employees were pleasant and calm.  What’s more, there were no angry passengers being embarrassingly cruel to the flight crew, as we experienced on our flight from Chicago to Denver later that night. (Because the story is so unbelievable, I will share a short version here: woman ignores luggage size requirements.  Woman ignores announcements in the gate area that it’s a full flight and large bags must be gate checked.  Woman boards flight and her luggage is physically too large for the overhead bin.  Woman then verbally assaults the flight attendant for his personal attack on her because her suitcase won’t fit).

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not blind to the goodness and kindness that is present in America.  I witness small acts of kindness and large acts of generosity on a regular basis. People are basically good, and I believe given the chance the highest percentage of Americans would show the same pleasant respect that we found around the world. I value our freedoms, opportunities and gifts for an abundant life to my core.  But, there is also an ever-present tension in our hurried culture.  

Ben and I speculated if some of this comes from a lack of long history that may impact the perspective of those who live in countries like Europe.  There you pass battle grounds, monuments to heroes and symbols of survival on a daily basis.  Are these items enough to inspire a better perspective that prevents them from cruelty to another person over senseless things like an oversized suitcase?  

In the U.S. we have a culture of competition, both with ourselves and each other. However, what we experienced in Europe was a culture of community. That's a pretty drastic difference in focus that can have a fundamental impact on how we treat one another.  

With no root in competition, there seems to be less focus on comparison.  Europeans don’t seem to be trying to assess who is better and draw constant comparisons they may justify treating another human being as less than human.  Even in Monaco where the visible wealth is staggering we were never treated as less than anyone else, even when we rocked a Twingo through town.  Why are other culture’s priorities seemingly different?  Afterall, it’s okay not to have any car at all, it’s okay to not force themselves into house poverty.  People don’t seem defined by things.  Prescription drug companies aren’t advertising constantly to feed the personal obsession Americans with finding something wrong with themselves.  If we take all of those focus from comparing ourselves in meaningless ways to others, maybe that’s enough to cause a change in demeanor?

Phew….enough on the trials and tribulations of being American.  This trip was life-changing in many ways. I don’t have the words to describe how much I enjoyed our 5.5 week adventure and how it will impact our future adventures.  The trip was in most simple terms, fun.  It was also interesting, thought-provoking, relaxing, enjoyable, abundant and unexpected.  For Ben and I, who each have our potentially compulsive needs for order and structure in certain aspects of our world, living with total lack of structure for this long was a gift.  This was the greatest freedom I have experienced in my life and it fed physical, mental and emotional needs in a different way than I knew existed.

Europe continues to fascinate me.  The more I experience the more I love it and dream of returning for more time, more learning, more experiencing and yes…more fun.

Some final bullets on Europe from Kori and Ben: 

• Street musicians are everywhere and they add to the experience and wonder of traveling the small towns and bustling cities
• I wish that church bells were heard more regularly in the US – imagine never needing a watch and the town operating based on the bells ringing from a tower at the center of town
• One of my favorite things about returning home is the constant availability of bathrooms
• American music and hit songs are popular all over Europe, most places we went had American music playing
• BMW and Audi dominated the roads, with several models we don’t have here in the US
• Getting a Swiss Pass would have saved us significant $$ in Switzerland
• When shipping back to the U.S. from another country, if they tell you not to put a return address and don't have you fill out the package customs form, be suspicious.  Also, even stone can break in that long journey, so be careful what you pack in the box. 
• Apples in Europe taste much better than those in the U.S., not sure why
• In some places, like Croatia, wine may be cheaper than beer
• Fiat Panda 4x4 is damn cool. (Italy)
• Roundabouts are wonderful. (France)
• When hand written, throughout Europe, 9s look like Gs and 1s look like wishbones
• There were no squirrels in the Berner Oberland region of Switzerland