Alan Weiss’s Monday Morning Memo® – 5/16/16

I‘m in Budapest at the conclusion of our Danube cruise, ensconsed in the Four Seasons confronting the river. The people here tell me their national anthem is a dirge which they hate, because it pleads with God to give them relief from endless sufferings and defeats. A woman in the spa mentioned that before a football game it’s depressing to hear, and when a Hungarian athlete wins an Olympic gold medal, they all start crying, and not from happiness! (The national sport is water polo—these are tough people!)

Yet the Hungarians, who, due to the misfortunes of geography and poor choice of allies at times, have cast their lot with the losing sides in wars, have won very few battles, and who have suffered under both Hitler and Stalin, seem to be a very happy bunch today. They are polite, helpful, and well spoken (which is a blessing since both the language and currency are all but indecipherable).

I’m looking out over two dozen river ships, beautifully maintained huge and historic buildings, countless restaurants, and a lovely city. It reminds me of Prague on a much larger scale. And it reminds me that those of us fortunate enough to be able to enjoy the legacy of our ancestry in the U.S., Canada, and Australia, at least, and the accidental benefits of our geography, should be very thankful.

That’s what travel does for us, that no amount of internet or movies can: It shows us a three-dimensional world and our place in it.

Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the men of old; seek what they sought.

— Matsuo Basho (1644-1694)

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