Last Thoughts

Previously I have sung the praises of Zürich airport. Well, that was the arrival terminal -- the departure is another story, something of a zoo actually. Or is it that there are just too many people these days for the masses of travelers to be handled efficiently? After a $6 cup of coffee at the departure gate I boarded my flight for the US. The Swiss International flight was very pleasant. Once again the exorbitant prices in Switzerland deserve mention. A Greek salad at the restaurant down the street from my friend JJ's flat went for SF 22.50 (= $30). The same thing cost me 6 Euros in Greece ($8.50). One evening we ordered in some Chinese food. Granted, it was a lot and included two small bottles of wine, but the equivalent of $125 for mediocre Chinese take-out is something for Ripley's Believe it or Not. Ouch!!!

Just arrived at JFK airport. Every time I arrive back in the US after being abroad I am a bit ashamed. Why is everything so shabby, so badly organized, so chaotic? The flag wavers keep on telling us that this is the greatest country in the world. I have some shocking news for them. It isn't. Why can't the US be like the countries of northern Europe: clean, organized and efficient, with great social services? Because we would be living in a social democracy, where taxes are high but you get what you pay for. I recently learned that the tiny country of Estonia instituted a flat tax. They started the rate at 25% and dropped it to 17%. It takes an Estonian citizen fifteen minutes to do his/her taxes on line. Doesn't that sound wonderful? It will never happen here because of the corruption of the Congress and vested interests who would fight tooth and nail against doing something as reasonable as reforming our insane tax system.
I opted to fly into JFK and catch a connecting flight out of LaGuardia. The two airports are not that far from each other. What better way to spend the obligatory several hours layover time than in the adventure of busing from one airport to another? Besides, I grew up near LaGuardia airport and I thought it might be a bit of a nostalgic trip to see something of the old neighborhood again. As usual the roads were clogged and everything looked a bit down at the heel. We passed the former World's Fair grounds. There was an iconic structure that was kept as a symbol of that historic event. It now looks ready for the wrecking ball. Right near it was the building that used to house the skating rink we visited as kids. It, too, looks near collapse. I could not live in this city again. It is too frantic and seedy. During the brief shuttle bus ride I really came to appreciate the fact that I live in Kansas City where life is so much more pleasant and relaxed.
At LaGuardia airport the security check to the gates is so haphazard. You have to take your shoes off and walk on what appears to be a rather dirty, uncarpeted floor. Yuck! What would a Swiss citizen think of this? I am embarrassed at how shabbily things are arranged here.
It was a really long day. Maybe that is why I have been so kranky. I was ecstatic to flop into my own bed again, at long last. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity I have had on this trip, to experience so many wondrous things, and grateful for having been kept safe on my travels. I dream of the soft, gentle light of the Mediterranean.........