No surprise, fewer Americans seem to be venturing to Europe on summer vacations. The euro's advance against the anemic dollar on top of the "crisis" (our economic ills) as they call it over there keep more of us at home. But on a swing through Slovenia, Italy and France last week, many locals I bumped into were planning trips over here, taking advantage of the foreign exchange. There was talk of going to New York, Florida, and California--the familiar destinations.
Europe isn't exactly on better economic footing than the U.S. right now, but folks seem to have sunnier dispositions--they're not worrying about healthcare expenses or juggling personal budgets over whether to buy food or drugs like all too many Americans. Gasoline prices have always been high, a result of big local gas taxes, so an upswing in pump prices isn't fazing anyone over there. More town centric lifestyles mean people don't drive as much anyway. And outside of the UK, credit bubbles and home buying mania didn't get out of hand.
With summer in full swing, many locals are beginning to harvest their vegetable gardens and the many fruit trees drop cherries and figs. Farms with fresh meat and produce still surround major cities like Paris. People pay much higher taxes for their greater social security and live more within their means--homes are smaller, typically hotels use energy saving keys which turn out power when you leave the room, houses in Mediterranean areas use cisterns to collect water. Stores in many communities still close at midday for several hours and on Sunday--people aren't consumed by shopping and consumption. And in another month most will be taking long summer breaks with families, visiting seasides and mountains. I didn't hear a lot of complaints or anxiousness.
Life may not be great over there right now, but for many people it's plenty good.
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