My Report from Europe

[CHICKSINGA]

I just returned from spending 13 days in Europe, 10 in 7 Cities in England and 3 in Paris. I went there to perform at a Steampunk (you’ll have to look it up) Convivial for 3 days, travel with Brit friends and to ask tons of questions and observe.

I’m trying to report accurately and without bias. First of all I want to give you a bit of background on the general nature of the Brits. They are a very quiet and unassuming people with great pride in their country and its history. Americans are in comparison loud and gregarious. Brits are happy to talk, laugh and discuss, but you generally must be the first to engage the interaction. They consider talking first a bit brash. I met so many wonderful, open and intelligent people. The men really are gentlemen and the women are more traditional than American women (especially me). I asked a ton of questions and they were only happy to answer. The first I asked was about National Healthcare. They have had a program in place since 1945. Because of their dedication to country they feel it is a human right and don’t have a problem with the taxes to pay them (and they are exorbitant) They also explained that they feel it’s managed very well, that there are no over abundant tests, hospital stays and that sometimes the wait for care is long. The care is basic – no frills. And sometimes because of that people do not get treated in time. The care is the same for everyone. High quality care with 2nd opinions, multiple tests, alternative methods and such are only available to those who pay for it – and that is generally the rich due to the extreme cost. It is not natural for the people in the UK to question the government. It is only now that they are disgruntled at how much they pay to attend to the Royal Family for very little in return. They no longer readily raise their glass in a toast saying “God Save the Queen”. It has been shortened to “The Queen”. They would consider it terribly rude and un-patriotic to voice disgruntlement.
The thing I was impressed with most was that the people are willing to do whatever it takes to make The UK a lovely place to live for all. But they live very simply, generally in small homes compared to the US. They have very good energy-saving vehicles that get at least 27 miles per liter (the cost of petrol is 7.50 /liter), the electric outlets have timed switches that turn off after a set time. They walk everywhere. They have preserved the “small shop” ideal rather than the mall attitude. They never leave food on their plate. If they think they won’t eat it, they won’t order it. Wasting food is a big sin there. And they love to eat. Big English breakfast, lunch, tea-time (a sandwich, a scone and pastries as well as tea or coffee) and dinner. But you won’t see really fat people because they walk so much. They have good commuting systems, although it is rather funny to see them all intently gazing at the screens in the stations to see what platform their train will arrive on only to run madly to get to the platform in time – it’s always different because there are hundreds of trains and the stations are huge. And because of public transportation Alcohol is not demonized and drinking is embraced, the pubs and the music scene are doing very well. DUI occurs but it’s rare because people don’t have to drive. By statistic Gun Control has drastically reduced crime. You’ll see very few garbage cans though. Mainly because they are the preferred receptacle for terrorist bombs. They have someone cleaning the streets and areas constantly. It is very clean and orderly.

The one thing that people in the UK do say we have right is our limits on unemployment. There people can be on “the dole” without limits. You do not have to work if you don’t want to. There are supposed to be checks to get people employed but the Government fails miserably at it. And it’s draining the coffers slowly but surely. The difference between here and there is simply that in Britain to be on the dole is considered very disrespectful and against the work ethic of the general population and by no means a right. If you are on the dole you are viewed as a lazy sod.

So yes, there is a lot to love about England and a lot to ponder as well. I don’t think we can achieve the things it took the UK 60 years to do in a couple years. We can aspire to it surely by changing gradually but throwing money haphazardly around with that aspiration seems anti-productive and sure to cause chaos. The US is spoiled in some ways, yes, but it is a Government of special interests and partisanship that creates our biggest problems.

Paris is dirty and the Parisians are sadly a bit snobby – they do not acknowledge you or smile on the street. The stereotype is accurate. They will however interact nicely if you try to speak French. I know enough to get by and they appreciate it. But I don’t think I would ever call Parisians warm. (Ok, exceptions to the lovely waiters in The Carrousel Café who where wonderful flirts and were tipped mightily!) I was told the French in other places are quite nice, but only encountered a few warm folk. My impression of Paris was different than I expected. There are an amazing amount of grand and opulent buildings with great historical significance. Monuments and statues are everywhere glorifying the Kings and Queens, Emperors and Empresses and any historical figure you can imagine. It’s very impressive, but after awhile it all gets to be a bit much. Especially when the people seem so jaded to it all. Is it possible that the governments of France, past and present, have used the peoples tax money to erect one too many opulent building (at the Palace of Versailles the bold statement “A Tout Les Gloires De La France” (To All the Glories of France) is emblazoned on not 1 but 2 giant structures at the main gates. Something tells me it wasn’t for all, exactly (remember the fate of Louis VI and Marie Antoinette).
I didn’t ask as many questions in Paris – most of the people were like me - from somewhere else, riding to the top of the Eiffel Tower. I did have a heated discussion with an inebriated young gent from New Zealand that was only too happy to tell me how uncaring he perceived Americans to be, that surely Obama was the savior to such a corrupt and greedy county. When I asked him where he got his great education he said “the Internet and the media”. I just switched queues (waiting line) – I hear enough of that lame explanation at home.

[joltinjeff]

What a great read!!! Have you ever considered becoming a reporter? But, you hit everything right on the head. I have fond memories of my time in Germany and some of the side trips I was able to take. I was in England when Harrods was bombed for a short Christmas break.
I was in Paris once and was not that thrilled about it, but a very nice city for the sightseer.
They are very time conscience and everything runs on time. You ain't there in time, you wait until the next one comes.
Again, most of the European countries are the same across the board with health care and unemployment. I actually had to leave Germany after leaving the Army and worked in the private sector because I had taken a German's job. I was a translator for the Farber-Kastel Pencil Company in Nurenburg.
Again Chicka, great story.

[CHICKSINGA]

Thank you so much! I just wanted to tell what I saw. Not to mention having one of the best adventures of my life!

[onegunguitar]

Nice report!!! I had the chance to party with some British Marines when I was in the USMC and let me tell you,they were great to drink with!!!! We had so much fun with those guys. I don't remember their names but I think I have some pictures somwhere-that was one deployment that was well worth the time,what a blast!!!!!!

[CMOR]

STEAMPUNK!!! Who all played? Don't let the name fool you, it's not punk in the traditional sense. Just a different approach.

[DirtySanchez]

"The Internet and the media" lol

You found a New Zealand Rockpager?

[bassgirl]

What a great and interesting read! Thanks for that.

Also, I had heard the term Steampunk before, but didn't know what it meant. I looked it up, and that looks pretty intriguing as well. I may do a little more research into it. Looks interesting!

[CHICKSINGA]

Thanks for all the nice comments!
Steampunk is my new passion - there's more and more folks getting into it. Some UK friends of mine are in a band called "The Men that will not Be Blamed for Nothing". (It's a refernce to something Jack the Ripper wrote on a bloody apron) They are releasing their album soon and I'm hoping to help them tour a bit here in The Colonies.

If you'd like to see my pictures and The Asylum Steampunk Event - add me as a friend under my my Steampunk persona, Aubrey Calliope, on facebook.

I do have my own group started here close to Altoona called "Absinthe & Iron" (also on facebook) It's my goal to gte more people interested and have meet-ups and events locally.

Please feel free to contact me here or on facebook if you're interested.

Trace/Aubrey

[JackANSI]

Thank you for sharing!

Spent some time in Japan not long ago to see the sights and catch some Yamame on the fly. England sounds a lot like Tokyo. France sounds a lot like rural Japan. Except I wouldn't call the rural Japanese snobish as much as shy and untrusting, but they definitely think they are "chokujou yori tomo gaijin". Their sense of duty and respect would prevent them from appearing snobish unless crossed, the french sound like they have none of that.


Yes I know my japanese sucks. I learned the words, but struggled with sentence structure. Was hilarious seeing people expressions though...

[DirtySanchez]

One time I went to maryland. WHATABUNCHOFASSHOLES!!!
good crabs though.
Glad I'm American.

[bassist_25]

Final Fantasy 3 (technically Final Fantasy 6) has a steampunk theme. I remember the first time playing it, I was weirded out about the prevelance of technology in it. Up until then, all video game RPGs I had played were strictly set in a medieval/fantasy setting. I love that game, though. Okay, enough geek-talk.

England sounds like my kind of place. It sounds like suits both my introversion and my enjoyment of talking about interesting stuff.

The only thing is needs is warm temperature year-round.

[Ron]

England sounds like my kind of place. It sounds like suits both my introversion and my enjoyment of talking about interesting stuff.

The only thing is needs is warm temperature year-round.

The weather is pretty mild in the UK. They are near the end of the gulf stream. Not too hot in the summer nor too cold in the winter.

[CHICKSINGA]

Yep that's true - doesn't snow like it does here til you're up north in Scotland and Snowdonia. But The RAin!! Although this summer has felt like England.

[mjb]

The only thing is needs is warm temperature year-round.

and flouride in the water.

[CHICKSINGA]

STEAMPUNK!!! Who all played? Don't let the name fool you, it's not punk in the traditional sense. Just a different approach.

Sorry it took me a bit to get back to ya - Jet lag just ended! : )

The Bands that played at The Asylum 2009 - The Inagural UK Convival were:

Trousseaux
Sunday Driver
The Men That Will Not Be Blamed For Nothing (GREAT BAND!)
The Vampire Killers
GhostFire

oh, and me.