Bailey Alexander

Happiness and expectations

Heard a great talk on TED today on the ever elusive pursuit of Happiness. I agree with the notion its much ado about perspective and the amount of expectations we apply. The talk was served on a full tray of cliche's and yet the cliche's concerning expectations and choice appealed to me. Along my nomadic lifestyle I've often found my expectations decrease just as my level of contentment tends to increase, as if in complete unison. Such are the cycles of my life, so far. 

Its been interesting to meet so many fellow expats in so many countries but more oft than not its depressing. I'm not talking about the ones that live abroad part of the time or have their stuff in storage or teach English to stretch out the experience. I get that and I get they will eventually go back home. I'm talking about the ones that don't, that have lived abroad for a long, long time.

London Telegraph: "Young Italians flock to become Shepherds"

The Telegraph has its own angle on this trend yet I wonder if its only economic. I've spent so much time traveling through Italy, extensively up north, visiting 'family' members, on holiday, hanging out, many youth opt to stay close to home rather than travel and work in a major city. Why wouldn't they? 

I'm often struck, still, by the relationship Italians share with nature. While walking with my husband's uncle, Zio Giacomo, he often stops to touch the leaves and study the gardens and trees around his house, in his neighborhood. He teaches me the difference between male and female fruit, when at the market he studies the food with much attention and great affection. Its so fun.

Most Italians are terrific stewards, they toil their soil carefully for wine, fruit and vegetables, they discuss their nutrients and qualities with respect, regardless of whether they live in the city or the country. 

They travel throughout their country, inspecting, learning, enjoying the other towns. They covet and live well within their nature; this trend feels less economic and more natural and normal, to me at least. 

Driving thru Europe; cultures change along with their landscape

Schloss Fucshl is a gorgeous hotel just outside Salzburg, elegant environs, the trout for lunch arrived fresh from the lake.

Sun arrived for lunch then the weather turned foul. We tucked into the 'lodge'; he ordered Apple Strudel and coffee, I, Calvados. 

Austria, as lovely as any place on the planet, a favorite destination, a particularly pleasant and civilized state of mind...or so it always seems to me.

Dinner in Dresden. 'Inde irae et lacrimae'

Death of a relative arrived early Saturday morning and dinner in Dresden was already on the itinerary later that evening; hence a timely trip.

An hour an half drive from Prague to the city once described as the Jewel Box of Europe. Dresden; few places illustrate death quite like Dresden.

European data settles on a conservative number, perhaps 57,000 Germans killed. In one night. The Allied Forces decision was driven by Churchill, apparently he wanted to appear tough to Stalin at the Yalta  Conference.

The dates for the Soviet meeting were changed but they went ahead with the bombing campaign anyway.

Arrivederci Amsterdam; Ahoj Prague...

Opportunity knocked, good thing we were listening... 

Amsterdam was fine, a fun and young mentality, it certainly did provide the chance to get back on track, so we did. 

Holland being a practical place, we gave and got but Prague is located closer to our life, our heart, not to mention Northern Italy, which is part of our life and heart.

Dresden; Setting fire to a Jewel Box

I relish "live" history lessons, the ones learned while driving through Europe, the kind that unfold along with the landscape, either in a car or on a train. They tend to enter the mind and imagination slowly, gradually securing their seat in the psyche permanently.

These pieces of history are often sad, sometimes inspirational, others so devastating they blow the mind and fall heavily into the heart, forever. 

Yesterday we drove from Holland to Prague, across Germany, entering East Germany through 'the tunnel of unity', passing Leipzig, then arriving at Dresden; a cultural mecca for music, art and architecture, a city once called the "Jewel Box"...

...until Feb 13, 1945, that fateful and particularly cruel evening, when the allied forces bombed Dresden, when the British and American forces set fire to this Jewel Box, killing 57 thousand people in one night.

To suggest it was highly controversial is without debate.  

"That's friendly France for ya..."

A recent trip to Brittany reminds me of Grace Kelly's line in To Catch A Thief. Kelly's gently sparring with uber elegant Cary Grant, not quite buying the less than jazzy line he's just a friendly timber businessman from Portland Oregon. Grace suspects what we already know, he's the notorious jewel thief, John Robie, nicknamed "The Cat." 

The French. They are friendly and warm, you just need to step inside their protocol. Why just look at the local butcher, eyeing my petite mignon. I offer Colette for a sec before snatching her back...he is the local butcher after all... 

Protests, nomads, seasons and cycles...

October is a wonderful month to visually feel life's cycles. Mother nature works her magic through leaves as we witness death and decay everywhere as if to capture how change and transition feel as necessary as life itself. 

For many, death isn't just a concept, especially when seen up close. The cost of a front row seat may allow one to embrace the grief. If you don't and deny the cycle you just may miss the show. 

Dutch freeway signage; sort of odd.