A man‘s world
#161
My Dear Friend of Democracy,
In some ways, the Western Balkans are a world of yesterday. At least that's the impression I get here.
It seems like almost all adults smoke and they do it almost everywhere—even the conductor on the train. Whenever our travel group (woman, man, child) is approached, communication always takes place with me, the man. If you see a man and a woman in a car, it's always (I mean really always) the man sitting behind the wheel. Speaking of cars: Public transport is only available in the big cities. Therefore, at least in rural areas, only those who have a car are mobile. And cars are a man's thing.
One might get the impression that time has stood still in the West Balkans. But that is not true. Just because today looks like yesterday to me, today‘s daily life is probably very different from yesterday‘s daily life.
So, change is happening and will happen.
Education about the health risks of smoking will (further) reduce the number of smokers. The rapprochement of the sexes will give women more opportunities in life. The increase in prosperity will ensure that public transport can expand.
Nothing stays the same. Not even in the Western Balkans. I am pretty sure.
See you in Europe,
Johannes
Gotta visit at some point!