Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
trenched here as anywhere in Europe. And for me, each visit is a case study in the
fundamental wisdom of free enterprise and the laws of supply and demand.
Europe is burdened with the image of a too-politically-correct bureaucracy, notorious
for dictating the proper curve of a cucumber in 24 official languages. But they don't mind
the teasing. While attempting to honor the linguistic and idealistic wishes of its unruly
gang of members isn't always efficient, Europe understands that watching out for its eth-
nic underdogs is essential for maintaining its hard-won peace.
In some cases, minority groups didn't wind up where they are by choice, but were
“planted” by governments. While the world is filled with struggling minority groups who
stand in solidarity with each other, groups of people sent as settlers by dominant cultures to
establish their control over disputed land also have hardships and feel a related solidarity
for each other. For instance, I saw Israeli flags flying from flagpoles in Protestant com-
munities all over Northern Ireland. Ulster and Israeli settlers empathize with each other.
Protestants “planted” in the 17th century by a bigger power (England) in Ulster are having
a tough time with their indigenous neighbors. And Israeli settlers I met in the West Bank,
planted by their government in Palestinian territory, are struggling to exist with their indi-
genous neighbors as well.
