One of most amazing things about nearly all of Europe is their vast railroad infrastructure.  I took a high speed train from Frankfurt to Seigburg, Germany, topping out at a breathtaking 300 km/hr, or about 180 miles per hour.

To top it all off, their rail infrastructure is almost completely electric.  No diesel is sacrificed as it is here in the United States.

So why can’t we do that?

In the Midwest, there are light rail proposals being thrown around annually, gaining marginal traction with taxpayers. The problem typically revolves around ‘who ends up paying how much for what’.  And I can see the point.

I surely don’t want to pay for a local rail system I don’t use and can’t foresee any return on.

In my opinion, we need a national high speed rail system implemented from coast to coast, boarder to boarder.  Unfortunately the government would have to get involved to help define the standards (you don’t want one system on one gauge of track and another on a different gauge).  Ideally though, the infrastructure would be privately developed with government subsidies.

Think about it, going from New York to Chicago, or Chicago to Dallas via Kansas City or St. Louis.  Make that a day trip!

I believe that once such a system is defined, more local, light rail systems can take shape with much less risk to the bottom line.

If you live in a city with light rail, or even a country with high speed rail, do you see the system as an asset?

Technology, Travel high speed rail, transportation

Yesterday I was sitting on the beach drinking coffee in Athens, Greece when upon paying the bill the Greek waiter inquired as to whether my father and I were American.  Never disputing the markedly obvious, I affirmed we were, and the ensuing discussion left me appreciating my country and every opportunity that’s presented to me.

This waiter, in his very broken English, with every word carefully chosen, explained to my father and I that he dreams to go to America to talk with someone about some ideas he has.  He wanted nothing more than to supply someone with money and ability nothing more than four or five entrepreneurial possibilities he’s dreamed up.

Upon further explanation, he revealed that it is common knowledge in Greece that there are ultimately 5 families that control all the money in the country.  They also control businesses, government and ultimately the people of his country.

It is those families that dictate who starts a business, who benefits from the risk of sticking your neck out and who succeeds in financial and entrepreneurial endeavors.

If one were to set out and independently form his own business, the families would step in and by way of taxes bankrupt the company.  Hence, the desire to make his pitch to someone, anyone, in the United States.

To any extent possible he wanted to make his own way, and more apparent, get away from pouring coffee in that beach side cafe in Greece.

I must say, the beaches of Athens are exquisite.  But it is these experiences gained while traveling in foreign lands that make the otherwise desolate plains of the United States look so much more beautiful than any painting the sunset over the mountains of Greece could ever inspire.

Our government here in the United States is as corrupt as ever. Never before has money has such a visible influence in politics, and yesterday on the beach I realized that despite all that, living in the United States is still pretty damned… good.

Business, Marketing, Travel Business, entrepreneurship

Another part of “people watching” I enjoy is pondering how times have so changed, particularly at the airport.

I can’t recall if I’ve written about this before, but I can’t help but notice the change in attire on passengers at the airport over the last 10 years or so. I suppose I haven’t yet accepted the true power of competition in the airline industry, but I can’t help but wonder how some people can afford a plane ticket.

Any more, business suits, button down shirts and dresses have given way to short shorts, tank tops and flip flops.  In fact, the two-piece suit is now the minority in the terminal building.

I’m not sure why I’m bothered by this, perhaps its a lack of respect for the industry, lack of leadership in the industry as a whole, or maybe I’m completely out of touch with the real world.

Two years ago, I was in Miami when an American Airlines 767 rolled in from New York, and you’d think a Greyhound buss had become lost and pulled into the gate.  What’s tragic is that a bus ticket was more expensive than a ride on a jet.

My how times have changed.

Travel people, Travel