The Mysteries of Amsterdam

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Dear, Dear Darling,

Europa! was wandering along the "Spuiistraat" today and got to thinking about some of the ironies and mysteries of Amsterdam.

For instance, what is a "gay map of Amsterdam"? There was one on sale in the window of a sex-shop. But you would think that the streets and attractions are the same for everyone. Luckily, Europa! investigated this mystery for you...

A normal map has all the streets and attractions, and to help you find them, there is a little arrow or dot which says, "You are here." On a gay map, there are all the streets and attractions, and to help you find yourself, a little arrow or dot which says, "You are gay."

*wink*

Also, Europa! had time to wonder about the name we have for the people of Amsterdam, or "Amsterdammers". Amsterdam, as you know, is a very liberal place, in terms of civil liberties. It is accepted that if one does no harm to others or to oneself, then one is free to do as they wish. This attitude towards individual freedoms is evident in the relatively permissive laws governing cannabis use and prostitution. In contrast, American society, which claims to be freedom-loving, does not permit these things, so soft drug users are jailed and prostitutes are exploited by pimps. In Amsterdam, the kind of forced prostitution so common in the States is thoroughly illegal and condemned.

So, Europa! asks: Have you noticed that the people we call "Amsterdammers" actually refuse to damn you? And that by the same token, we should call Americans "Ameri-can'ts".

Europa! is very deep, no?

Kisses from Amsterdam, darling,

Ciao! 8-D
Europa!

Swiss Cheese

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Basel, with its high riverbank, stands a good chance against the rising waters.

Schatzie, darling!

Just look at this lovely river scene! It is hard to imagine that only a few days after this picture was taken, fear of major flooding has overtaken Switzerland. Darling, Europa! hopes so much that this willl not happen...

Basel is such a pretty town, with cobblestone streets and wildly overpriced cafés. Europa cannot decide if the high price is for the coffee, or for watching the people who can afford to drink there. Some of them are very charmingly dressed, which gives a certain "cachet" to your small, potent latté.

Now Europa! is not here to complain about Switzerland's high prices. Europa! would rather complain about the way certain shops treat her credit card. Listen, darling, it is the 21st century... Any shop which cannot accept the credit card, and which insists on Swiss Francs will lose Europa!'s business. Europa! does not waste time... she is in and out like a selfish boyfriend. "Bref", Europa! does not have time to linger. And if buying a small puzzle book for travelling results in a ten-minute wait in line only to learn that the card is not accepted, Europa! will politely but definitely leave. "Il y a quand même une limite!"

Oh now, Europa! does not mean to sound peevish,... She has not yet had lunch and is feeling a bit fragile. But a delicious serving of "rosties" will cure the travelling blues. Ah, a panful of finely sliced potato sautéed in rich butter and served with meat or vegetables in rich gravy or sauce... "Délicioso!"

Oh, and as for the floods... Darling, it is very important to avoid a flood, especially in your home. It only takes an inch of water to ruin all of one's shoes. Think about that, darling. It hurts, I know. But forewarned is forearmed. Europa! recommends you get some shoe racks. Just don't buy them in Switzerland. With the flood scare, there will be a run on shoe racks, and they are already overpriced.

Ciao! 8-D
Europa!

Europa!'s advice for the jet-set.

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Dear, Dear Darling,

Europa! took a short flight yesterday and darling, what is wrong with the modern air traveler? When the turbulence began, the seemingly charming man next to Europa! did not see the use of fastening his seat belt. So, "natürlich", when the plane began to bump the man was thrown from his seat. This caused Europa! to drop a very delicious-looking "profiterolle" she had been saving to help polish off her glass of "sekt". Also, the man had a bump to the head, and rolled to the floor, squashing the little Italian puff. Europa! did not understand why the flight attendants made such a fuss of reviving him when the last of the profiterolles were being consumed by Europa!'s fellow passengers.

Ah, Santa Maria! Tasty airline food is such a rarity, we cannot afford to lose even a morsel to the boorishness of the great unwashed.

Europa! sends kisses,

Ciao! 8-D
Europa!

Europa by Rail

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Darling, Europa! misses you so much.

Of course you cannot always join Europa! on her gadaboutings, so she will show you some pictures and take you on an imaginary European train ride.

This week, darling, Europa! took the train to several destinations within Deutschland. Of course, it is always a thrill to drive around Deutschland on the autobahns, but you cannot be seen or meet people when driving, and Europa! must make concessions to her fans. Luckily, the "bahn", or train is very punctual and very pleasant to ride. Europa! chose the ICE (ee-tsay-eh), which is the faster, express train, but the IC (ee-tsay) is also very pleasant.


Everyone loves the ICE train, except Deutschland's flying insect population.

Both Deutsche Bahn trains have a restaurant car where you can enjoy a cigarette with your "imbiss" and drink. Europa! does not smoke, of course, so she prefers to take her snacks and drink to her seat and to watch the passing countryside.

Like all good things in life, the countryside passes by very fast.

The ICE stops in the major cities, but for more tourism fun, try the IC, which stops in smaller towns. You see, darling, the smaller towns were not so damaged during that horrible war, and you can see charming old architecture and charming old people everywhere. Also, you are more likely to find local craftsmanship in the smaller towns, ranging from food and wine to crafts and fashion. So, put on your lederhosen or drindle, and come see Deutschland!

And now, a sight to make your mouth water...

Deutschland's vinyards are the crowning glory of the country's rich agriculture.

Ciao! 8-D
Europa!

Wilkommen in München!

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Darling, Europa! has some lovely pictures of old Munich for you! Just enter the gate...

This fresco of a battle scene over the gate is not enough to frighten Europa! from Munich's Marienplatz beyond.

Of course, you are wondering why Europa! would go to München about one month before the Oktoberfest. Well, the spirit of Gemütlichkeit is very important, but is not the only attraction in the beautiful Bavarian city. And, although beer is an important part of a balanced diet, we must not let our natural love of the brew overshadow the other charms of this beautiful European destination.

If you enter the gates of the old city, you will quickly come upon the Marienplatz, the commercial and cultural centre of Munich. Here, you can see the "Altes Rathaus", or "Old Town Hall"...

The Altes Rathaus, or Old Town Hall

...and the "Neues Rathaus", or "New Town Hall"...

The Neues Rathaus

Now, darling, Europa! asks you, if "haus" means "house", and the word for "Town Hall" is "Rathaus" what does that say about municipal politicians?

Hahaha, Europa! made joke!

Müncheners have a great sense of humour. Just look at this... so many cathedrals and buildings have little statues of important people or saints decorating them. These important figures are being frightened by a dragon...

Oh, where is St. George when you need him?

Europa! loves these little touches... Next week, she will have more pictures for you. There are so many lively things to see! Do make a visit to Munich part of your travels to Deutschland! So, from München, kisses and hugs!

Ciao!
Europa!

Europa!'s Mail

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Darling, Darling, Darling! Europa! has been running to and fro all week. That is what the English say, although Europa! has no idea where "to" is and how to get there from "fro"...

So, now is time for Europa! to answer your letter. The answer is "yes, yes, maybe".

Ha,ha, Europa! made joke!

But really, darling, you ask Europa! what is her greatest disappointment so far. Europa! does not like to dwell on sad things, darling, this only contributes to "the uglification of the world" as chronicled in the film "The Unbearable Lightness of Being".

But disappointments come in so many ways, and so Europa! will only kvetch about one for this year. It is the cancellation of the 2005 "Love Parade" in Berlin because, and listen to this... "there was no longer sufficient time to continue ne-gotiations with potential sponsors". Look it up for yourself, they say it here...

http://www.loveparade.de/portal/loveparade/
news/e_news_index.html

Ach, du lieber! Not for love or money could they have the "Love Parade".

This is the trouble darling, with trying to organize love. Next year, why not have everyone parade with their big portable stereos all tuned to the same "Love Parade" station, and forego the expensive DJ's and floats who spoil love with their marketing schemes.

But Europa! can talk on this subject. Europa! is a one-woman love parade. And of course, darling, so are you.

Ciao!
Europa! 8-D