Romanticizing Europe Pt. I

In the past, I was of the opinion that Americans have a very strong tendency to glamorize Europe. I read of gorgeous Spanish beaches, delicious Italian food, and impulsive French fashion. In high school, which is where I believe many Americans develop an appreciation for traveling elsewhere, I was advised to take advantage of the abundant opportunities to visit other countries for the benefit of my well-being.

In college, where I came to better understand government, I heard many a student voice his or her dislike of American self-interest in favor of European socialism. I was also no stranger to the idea of Europe being a racially unified utopia where biracial coupling abounded, free of criticism. After twenty years of being in the South, I finally felt ready to visit the European Utopia.

When I arrived in France in May 2007, I did indeed see a country that appeared to be a melting pot of cultures. Everywhere I went, I found a reality that seemed inconceivable in America. Couples and families of all colors and ethnicities strolled down the street, without anyone giving a second look. The homeless slept by the banks of the Seine river or in ATM vestibules without being harassed by the police. And most notably, public transportation was a marvel of efficiency. Save for New York City and a few other well-known American metropolises, I believed it next to impossible to get anywhere without a car. That didn't seem to be the problem in France.

I continued to hold this view of Paris until my eyes fell upon those working the most unsavory jobs possible. For all the colored blue-collared employees I saw, I might as well have been back in the States. African maids tended to my hotel room, while Arabs toiled away at construction jobs on the métro or in the street. African men hawked counterfeit versions of haute couture bags, while Asians and Middle Easterners manned crêpe and fruit stands on street corners and in subway tunnels.

More and more, I'm beginning to see that the most important things may not be so different, regardless of what side of the ocean you're on...