The concern that all the idiosyncrasies that mark regional diversity will be blended into some commodified version of what it means to be European is a real concern to many.
On the other hand, cultural diversity is an increasingly powerful force that cannot be denied. Where else would I have been performing in a German town at a venue owned by a Greek family where part of the audience was an Italian wedding party?
I had never thought of myself as a wedding singer, but it was one of those moments when you have to adapt and go with what is happening in front of you. They liked my songs and applauded warmly.
Having done my set, we got to watch the wedding party partying. We left later in the evening when it became clear that the Italians were there for the long haul, dancing with gusto across all generations of the whanau with kids to seniors kicking up their heels.
The drive through Switzerland highlighted the Swiss determination not to let the geography get in the way of going somewhere. They do tunnels in a big way and the roads climbing around valleys, high above lakes and rivers defied gravity. It is not a big country but most if it seems to be mountains - if they ironed it out flat it would be twice the size.
New Zealand has to be careful when we sell ourselves to the world as the Swiss have got it all over us for alpine scenery.
Venice has filled all its streets with water and made a success of it with hundreds of thousands of tourists. The buildings are all incredibly old and amazingly beautiful, tinted by age to a range of gelato colours. The canals throw a particular light that is magical, although at one point we noted the water was a bit whiffy. We know that effect from the Whanganui wastewater facility, so felt quite at home.
Amsterdam has also gone for the water-filled streets plus houseboats. The blend of modern quirky architecture and narrow houses with narrow stairs requiring hoists to lift furniture to upper floors is very easy on the eye.
The houseboats of Amsterdam evolved in response to a housing shortage and I can see Auckland experiencing a boom in houseboat living as it becomes impossible to afford anything on land. It is worth noting that living in central Amsterdam, even on a houseboat, is now the preserve of the very wealthy.
New Zealand cannot rely on a smug sense of self-importance to attract tourists.
Whanganui has had water-filled streets of recent times but that has not been deemed a good idea for attracting tourists. We do have a magnificent river and we do have artists producing work that has an international reputation, so that is a good start - the big drawback is that it takes two days in a plane to get there.
-Terry Sarten: writing-home-across-the-time-zone-Whanganui-based writer, musician and social worker - feedback: tgs@inspire.net.nz
