Euro-Buzz (hint - it's chilly)

It was over to Europe last week for a school visit. A very short trip as it happens due to a scheduling conflict and other planning hassles. So quick, indeed, that the dreaded jet-lag didn’t have time to set in.

Global warming? Where? Holland was wickedly cold, windy and damp and all that chilly weather set up the historic snowfall in London and the south of England. I can’t picture some of those lovely Surrey villages under 18 inches of snow.

The dollar has appreciated about 20% during the past year against the Euro and Sterling.
A bit of breathing room for Americans traveling abroad but not much, I can tell you that. Europe is still expensive. I’m a big train fan but had to rent a car on this trip. Re-filling the petrol at Amsterdam airport cost $56 ~ and that for ¾ of a tank.

The general European economy is headed into a deep slump. The big chill, I'm afraid.

Obama-mania rules in Euro-land. A quick check at the newsstand showed virtually all the popular magazines with his picture on the cover. Mark this date: early 2009 and a popular American president!

And sports? I was there for three days after the Super Bowl and was amazed that my Dutch hosts knew so much about the game: players, coaches and strategies.

The real buzz is over footballer David Beckham’s abandonment of the L.A. Galaxy and his pending switch to AC Milan. Remember the hoopla when Beckham – the Babe Ruth of European soccer – signed on with an American team last year? No one could believe a player of such stature would play in the MLS. Well, he lasted 18 months before coming home to the European pitch.