Educational

Since I posted about places I wanted to see but didn't have time for in Germany, I thought I would follow up with my wish list for Europe. Please don't get me wrong. My intention is not to only visit or live in Europe. Not at all but for all intense and purposes, I will keep it simple for now.

I know I will be asked, "why didn't you visit more countries outside of Germany?" when I return so to save some throats the trouble, let me tell you. The answer is very simply, dissatisfaction. I travelled on weekends so I only tasted a tiny bit of the country I entered leaving me feel dissatified and frustrated. I felt this when I was in Austria as I would have liked to visit more than just Salzburg. There were all these little towns I saw from my train that I would have loved to explore for one day but because of time restraints, I couldn't. I felt supreme frustration in Munich of all places. There was so much to do. I remember being on a bus (tour) being driven around and almost in tears because I wanted to see this and that (all of it!) but I couldn't as I had to get back on a train very soon.

Don't get it twisted. I am uber happy and know I am blessed to be given this opportunity but at the same time, I think the travel fire has been ignited in me. I want and NEED more.

Without further delay, here is my wish list places in Europe.

-eat waffles in Belgium
-Luxembourg just because it is so puny and cute
-Amsterdam. I was never interested in this country until I saw a special that Canadian actress Sonja Smits did on it. Now my interested is piqued.
-stay in a château and get drunk off good French wine in Bordeaux
-take a walk through and visit in depth Chaîne des Puys of Auvergne, France
-spend at least 14 full days exploring France in depth and eating and drinking all the wonderful regional foods and wines
-Taking the time needed to see all of the hidden treasures in London, England
-search for loch ness in the Scottish highlands
-spend one day in Prague visiting all the normal tourists traps and then capping off the night by watching Alice in Wonderland at the Black Light Theatre
-finally, finally, finally bask in the beauty that is Lake Bled (Slovenia)
-spend some time in crisp, cool and expensive Norway
-explore the walls of Troy and then delve into the underground city of Derinkuyu, Nevşehir Province, Tukey. Cap this journey off with a stay at a luxurious beach side resort for some serious R&R
-visit Susie's parents in Oporto, Portugal
-learn about the Tsar rule in Tallinn, Estonia

I think that is about it for Europe. You will notice that Italy and Greece are not part of my list. I have no desire to visit either of these countries. There is not one thing that attracts about these places.

Don't even get me started though on my list of countries I want to visit around the rest of the world. That is too long and involved. I feel like I am starving to see and do more now.

Argh, there are just soo many places I want to see and unfortunately, three months is not enough time for me. There are a lot of places outside Deutschland I would like to see but there are lots and lots and lots of cities etc I would have like to visit right here!

Here is my wish list:

-Swabian Alps to see Hohenzollern Castle
-Bodensee or Lake Constance in english
-Neuenstein Castle
-Watch a few fütbol games and concerts in NeckarPark Stuttgart
-Experience a German Christmas Markt
-Go to numerous wine villages in Stuttgart and around Baden-Württemberg
-Take a retreat on any little island in Germany for a weekend
-Spend a day in the Black sea with friends
-Get carried away in medieval and emmerse myself in historical Erfurt
-spend a few hours wandering around Fortress Ehrenbreitstein in Koblenz
-work up enough guts to visit and totally enjoy a hot springs in Baden-Baden

Oh, the list goes on and on. There is just too much to see and do and absolutely no time. I am a bit bummed out by this but I promised myself that I will take this frustration of wanting to visit more in this country and transfer it to my home country. Canada is a treasure trove waiting for me to delve into so I will make a point when I return to see as much of my city and surroundings as possible.

I was discussing with my friend here yesterday my experience in Berlin this past weekend, which was interesting to say the least. After I told him about my time there, we inevitably touched on Hitler and that whole crazy era. Of course he got a bit defensive but I calmed him down right away and we were able to chat nicely.

He told me about his grandfathers history in the war and how the Germans who were not Jewish basically turned a blind eye or really didn't know or want to know about the holocaust going on. He then went on to tell me about how other Europeans view Germans.

He told me that they are always and we think always will be viewed at as first Nazi's and then Germans. My friend told me that a few years ago Germany won some sort of fütbol championship thing and of course everyone was celebrating on the street. Not everyone was happy though. Those that lost were not celebrating, of course, just like in any match situation. In any case, he said that the other Europeans in the city (and this goes for other places in Germany), sneared and screamed out 'Nazi's'. I gotta say, I was shocked at this comment.

Never once during all my study and learning of German history did I ever think or classify all Germans as Nazi's. I am not naive to think they do not exist because of course they do (all over the world unfortunately) but to call people that word out right is very daring.

When I asked him what they did, he replied, 'Nothing'. There is nothing they can do as no matter what, this will always be a negative spot on their historical records. He advised me that most times Germas just feel shamed and try to move on as they can't deny the past. I have been told this over and over by people I talk to. It is one of their biggest shames.

I personally think it is sad but The Third Reisch regime is an important part of world history that should not and cannot be forgotten but to keep placing blame is a bit much. So far, I have encountered no nazi's and have only been shown kindness and respect from my colleauges and society in general in Stuttgart and places I have visited in Germany. I am fascinated however at how much inter-European hostility there is. People (I'm talking North Americans here) have this assumption that Europeans are extremely laid back. On certain levels I would say yes, but they (the people I have encountered) have the same greivances like everyone else.

I am currently in Bremen, where I had a fantastic time visting a friend. More on that soon...I promise. In the meantime, while I was online checking out the details for leaving at the end of the month, I was covered with the overwhelming emotion of sadness. I am really enjoying this place, and it has NOTHING to do with travel. I already miss Germany and the people and my time here. Wow, I never thought I would feel this way. Until next time.