Rooftops and windows are something we seldom notice till traveling—and looking.  Visit any historic European town and it’s easy to be mesmorized by its architecture and design—old world charm.  In the new world, a rooftop or window, and their juxtapositions, might get less attention day-to-day. As a tourist in foreign lands, being aware of, and having time to, take in  "details" can enrich experiences and recollections.  Click on these vacation shots, as example.

Rooftops 

Windows

 

What happened to those unique/charming little coffee shops and restaurants we used to love so much—even in Europe?  They were taken overtaken by Starbucks and McDonald’s! In picturesque Lausanne, Switzerland, they face each other, on opposite street corners, in the very small pedestrianized downtown area. (Click on the image for a better view.)

 

What else will follow?  In North America, giant chain bookstores have also put one-of-a-kind enterprises (and those who made a living from them) out of business.  Likely this is happening in Europe too.  Less individuality, more homogeneity!  But, for now, old town Geneva is still able to display its charm (and creativity) with curiosity shops like this one. 

 

Spring, 2007, Lausanne, Swizterland.  Looks like there are two ways to get a bird’s eye view:

1.  As pigeons on an overhead cable

 

 2.  From a crane 

 

Nature and technology co-exist, but for how long?  Even one of the world’s most picturesque cities is falling prey to over-construction and development.

 

In North America, there’s a common complaint that flowers no longer smell like flowers and fresh fruits and veggies are tasteless.  Visit the daily street markets of Europe and you’ll understand better any differences…

Maybe…

1.  Products for sale haven’t had a long journey/shelf life before making it to buyers.

2.  Growing conditions are more natural—with less mass production and preservatives. 

3.  Presentation is as it is meant to be—not tampered to alter texture, size, or ripeness.

Bigger and better (the N. American way) often…

1.  Stresses quantity and accessiblity over quality.

2.  Favors price over product.

3.  Forgets basics—the innate properties of what’s being produced and developed and why.

Perhaps N. Americans are charmed by European ways because…

1.  Individuality and personalization are more obvious.

2.  Traditions, history, and pride don’t appear to be forgotten.

3.  Smaller, rarer, and different may still be seen as better.

Europeans love their dogs, and make them a big part of their lives, in public as well as at home.

When out for drinks (at a restaurant) dogs can come too.

 

Shopping for food, dogs are part of the family, no problem.

Cycling about town, some dogs have their own special trailers.

Then there are all the dog specialty shops.  There’s even one for doggy antiques in old-town Geneva!

 

Finally, many cities make a stroll in the park or street easier—providing clean-up bags and bins, free of charge.

Health is a social, as well as personal, responsibility.  Visit Switzerland and you’ll notice this in even the smallest of towns.  On street corners and at train stations, you can’t miss large yellow and blue banners announcing a variety of health tips.  Here are just four of them (sponsored by the drug company, Sandoz/Novartis):

Health Tip #8:  Stay standing until the train arrives.

 

Health Tip #14: Walk intstead of taking the train or bus.

 

Health Tip #18:  Go out instead of watching television.

 

Health Tip #20:  Forget the elevator, even to go up to the 20th floor.

 

 

 
Random first impressions can tell us a lot about the place we’re visiting, as well as the one we call home:

• Arrive in Toronto at the airport, and you have to pay for your luggage cart but the washrooms are free.  Arrive in Geneva, your luggage cart is free, but you have to pay for the washrooms.  Either way, you need the right currency (coins) in advance of getting off the plane.

•  Buy a train ticket in Geneva as a tourist, and you might be recommended to go"first class."  Especially for single women traveling alone, this way is considered safer.  (The graffiti alongside the train tracks hints at the wild personalities that sometimes hang around trains and train stations.)

• Look at graffiti in Switzerland, and you’re looking at art.  It’s clear to see that a lot of thought and effort has gone into some of the designs and colors that form the words.  In Canada, graffiti is usually shear vandalism.  Reverence for the arts appears eclipsed by funding cutbacks and the consequences can have a domino effect.

• French is one of Canada’s official languages.  However, most anglophones aren’t anxious to speak it (just as most francophones don’t like having to speak English).  In Switzerland, there’s French, German, Italian, English, and various local dialects, as well as as an openness to switching between them.  Politics and laziness don’t seem to get in the way.

• Out and about in Geneva, pass someone in the street, or answer their question, and they’ll address you more formally, adding "Madame" (if you look/act like an adult).  They’ll also say "bonjour" even if they don’t know you.  Out and about in Toronto, there’s usually less formality/manners—as well as casual interactions with strangers.

• In Switzerland, there’s obvious appreciation for the little things in life (with smaller scale streets, cars, food portions, clothes, homes, stores, etc.).  Individuality and uniqueness are still favored over mass production and sameness.  In Canada, sometimes, bigger and more become "have-to-haves" which are mistaken for better (just like in the US).

• En route to the airport in Toronto, there’s a billboard with Madonna modeling a plain little black dress she’s designed.  It’s 55 Canadian dollars.  On the way from the airport in Geneva, there’s a similar billboard with Madonna modeling another little black dress she’s designed, this time with off-white silk detailing.  It’s 85 Swiss francs.  With Canadian tax, they work out to roughly the same final price.  Except, for the Canadian version, the taxman might be seen to be getting a better deal than the consumer.

Canada is often compared to Switzerland.  But these quick observations indicate that there may be more differences than similarities… Spotting differences, no matter how subtle, turns travel opportunities into illuminating experiences.