Posts like these are exactly what is wonderful about this newsletter. If you two were just to swing into a city, chronicle your week or two as tourists, and move on, that'd be one thing. But the value in staying for long periods as nomads, you get so much deeper insight in a place and its people!
I agree with Neal- You always go deeper than the reader hopes or expects. I came to a similar conclusion at the end of my sabbatical year in Paris (the #1 tourist site in the world!), but this is far far worse.
In the case of Paris, most of the locals can’t live there. People come into the intramuros from the far suburbs on the RUR trains to work in the cafes, etc In some arrondissements it seems as if entire blocks have been turned into Air Bnbs. But medical care is great, and all full time workers get a 11 Euro lunch ticket
Thanks for your very frank assessment. I love that you dig deeper into what's really going on in the places you visit. Focussing attention on the reality, as opposed to the perception, is necessary if things are ever going to change.
Faculty when I taught college used to tell the same joke about universities, only with "that was the interview visit" as the punchline. This is a great post, Michael. I cringe a bit when I hear a lot of people talk about moving to Europe. I know Americans who have settled into Britain brilliantly, but I also know those who were disconcerted to discover that Britain and Brits are not how they're portrayed on the telly. By the same token, I remember what a big adjustment it was in my first year as a Brit in the States (as a visitor) and later as a student, and finally, living here for decades. Everyone adjusts in their own way. Brits tend to be pessimists (which is another thing I think Americans find tricky, just as I still have a hard time with relentless positivity--although I would miss it, no question) I do suggest that tourists dump the bucket list nonsense, and actually travel, as you two are doing. I suggest they talk to locals, don't just treat other countries as Instagram opportunities. It's often a sobering experience, but a much more interesting and memorable one. Thanks for this.
Thanks for the kind words, Annette. And, yeah, adjusting to another culture is tough and I cannot begin to imagine the adjustment if we were actually to live in Sarajevo. And then I imagine moving somewhere like Uzbekistan or Egypt and the mind reels...
Thank you for your honest portrayal of the experience of the locals-what a gift for them to trust you with their stories. I am a counselor in an elementary school in the St. Louis area until I can become a nomad :) We have a very large Bosnian population and my building is about 40% ESL students-predominantly Bosnian. I am seeing the 2nd generation of students whose parents were refugees as children. It is amazing the resilience of the families but also the trauma that continues through the generations. It obviously also continues in Bosnia.
Thank you for taking the time to read the article, Cindy. Very much appreciated. I've heard from a number of folks who have friends who are Bosnia refugees. And they all have very much the same observation -- Bosnians are very resilient. I hope those left behind have brighter days ahead of them.
Posts like these are exactly what is wonderful about this newsletter. If you two were just to swing into a city, chronicle your week or two as tourists, and move on, that'd be one thing. But the value in staying for long periods as nomads, you get so much deeper insight in a place and its people!
Thanks very much, Neal. Coming from you that's a true compliment.
Wow. Thank you for this post. Definitely not light, happy reading, but it’s important to know what the other side of the coin looks like.
Glad you found it worthwhile. Appreciate your taking the time to read it.
Man I love this newsletter. So well written.
Thank you!
Great article, Michael. We'll be there in about a month, and this gives us a lot to think about.
Great anecdote that describes so many places.
Thanks and, yes, it does...
I agree with Neal- You always go deeper than the reader hopes or expects. I came to a similar conclusion at the end of my sabbatical year in Paris (the #1 tourist site in the world!), but this is far far worse.
Thank you so much, Susanna. And I can imagine Paris would be quite the adjustment as well...
In the case of Paris, most of the locals can’t live there. People come into the intramuros from the far suburbs on the RUR trains to work in the cafes, etc In some arrondissements it seems as if entire blocks have been turned into Air Bnbs. But medical care is great, and all full time workers get a 11 Euro lunch ticket
Thanks for your very frank assessment. I love that you dig deeper into what's really going on in the places you visit. Focussing attention on the reality, as opposed to the perception, is necessary if things are ever going to change.
Thank you for taking the time to read the piece, Gary. Much appreciated.
Faculty when I taught college used to tell the same joke about universities, only with "that was the interview visit" as the punchline. This is a great post, Michael. I cringe a bit when I hear a lot of people talk about moving to Europe. I know Americans who have settled into Britain brilliantly, but I also know those who were disconcerted to discover that Britain and Brits are not how they're portrayed on the telly. By the same token, I remember what a big adjustment it was in my first year as a Brit in the States (as a visitor) and later as a student, and finally, living here for decades. Everyone adjusts in their own way. Brits tend to be pessimists (which is another thing I think Americans find tricky, just as I still have a hard time with relentless positivity--although I would miss it, no question) I do suggest that tourists dump the bucket list nonsense, and actually travel, as you two are doing. I suggest they talk to locals, don't just treat other countries as Instagram opportunities. It's often a sobering experience, but a much more interesting and memorable one. Thanks for this.
Thanks for the kind words, Annette. And, yeah, adjusting to another culture is tough and I cannot begin to imagine the adjustment if we were actually to live in Sarajevo. And then I imagine moving somewhere like Uzbekistan or Egypt and the mind reels...
Thank you for your honest portrayal of the experience of the locals-what a gift for them to trust you with their stories. I am a counselor in an elementary school in the St. Louis area until I can become a nomad :) We have a very large Bosnian population and my building is about 40% ESL students-predominantly Bosnian. I am seeing the 2nd generation of students whose parents were refugees as children. It is amazing the resilience of the families but also the trauma that continues through the generations. It obviously also continues in Bosnia.
Thank you for taking the time to read the article, Cindy. Very much appreciated. I've heard from a number of folks who have friends who are Bosnia refugees. And they all have very much the same observation -- Bosnians are very resilient. I hope those left behind have brighter days ahead of them.