The man from Rotterdam

The man from Rotterdam was baffled when the Jewish man in the seat in front of us asked me if I was Republican or Democrat on our flight to Amsterdam. Politics in Holland are plainly liberal, Rotterman stated, and such a question could not exist. The people of his country form coalitions during election cycles and political party affiliation could never be a binary choice. I’m certain I misheard at least some of that.

He went to NYC once in the 1960s and never had an interest in visiting the US again, especially in our current climate. He was on his way back from Krakow after receiving a prize and award for his paintings.

The Jewish man was going back to his adopted home in Brooklyn after returning to Krakow to visit family.

By the way, Krakow is a sprawling European shopping mall with a Jewish district and a lot of history. With the exception of some parts of the Jewish district and with respect to the city’s history, I can’t say I enjoyed it. I took photos, but I mean…it’s just a mall exploiting its tragedies. We laughed every time we overheard the Pols tell each other that they’d rather be in Wrocław.

Every trip out of country is certainly a marvel for locals when they hear how things are going in the US. I feel like a stranger in our country too. I think many of us do.

While there are problems everywhere, our problems back home are beyond exhausting. There was a bang in the distance in Katowice and my friend didn’t flinch. I did. What crossed my mind wasn’t even a passing thought for them. Their country survived a century of violence. Our country can’t sustain itself without it.

Things for journals.

Wheels up. Off for re-entry via Boston, then four days in Raleigh. Nothing like southern whiplash to welcome me back.