Archive for September, 2008

Over the past 13 days I’ve been in five different countries. It started by taking the train down to Enschede, from Denmark, through Germany. After spending some time in The Netherlands, I boarded a flight for Brighton, in the UK. I got back to Copenhagen yesterday, and spent a few hours in Malmö, Sweden this evening.

I don’t have a very clear feeling anymore of being in a foreign country. The sense of wonder is gone. The excitement of being in Enschede, of being with my family, of being in Brighton or Copenhagen, it doesn’t start more than 24 hours prior to arrival.

(It could, however, be argued that this is because I go to countries I’ve been to before. Still, as a child, being somewhere else was just wonderful. Not so much, no more.)

Neither do I see myself as being primarily Dutch. I’ve begun describing myself as a European Dutchman. Yes, I have Dutch roots, and the more time I spend abroad, the more cultural differences I notice, the more I recognize these roots. Being Dutch is part of my identity. But, also, being European. Especially European, for within Europe, I don’t think in countries anymore. I think in cities, in places, in people.

And even on a global scale, I think in cities, places and people more than I think in terms of countries. It’s just the experience of crossing the border, with extensive questions, that make it clear that you really are in a different country.

(Again, I’ll interject, and state that if I were to go to Seoul, I’d really feel that I’m going to South Korea, and not just Seoul.)

In Europe, most countries have signed the Schengen treaty, which means that there is no border control. And even for the few countries that haven’t, like the UK, showing a simple ID card is enough to get in. No questions asked. Heck, the Danish border control only glanced at my ID card before waiving me through.

The ease of travel, and for me, the experiences of living abroad, with two months in the Bay area, and now moving to Copenhagen, they change how I feel about the world and about travel. They change my Location Identity. I’m Dutch, but I don’t live there. I’m not yet a Copenhagen person, and will never be Danish. Where does that leave me?

For now, European Dutchman will do.

What is your Location Identity?

(For the best introspective thinking, reply late at night after a train ride home from a foreign country, to a somewhat foreign country.)