So now that I've discussed money, one of the biggest differences, I think its a good time to talk about another big difference, transportation. Gas here is expensive. We complained when gas was 4 dollars a gallon and were in near riot-mode. Gas in Germany is roughly $6 or more a gallon.
It's reflected in the way they live. All the streets have a sidewalk path specifically for bikes, as well as stoplights at the intersections just for bikes. Then there's the Strassenbahn, which is a trolley system that every big city has. It can take you all over the city in a short time for a reasonable price. It makes me wonder why the trolley system in Pittsburgh isn't more expansive, as there is really only one track and very few split offs and possibilities for places to go. It also makes me wonder why more American cities don't have reliable public transportation or any sort of incentives to not drive so much.
In general, it seems that people here are much more aware of how much energy they are using and more caring towards the environment. Everywhere I go there are at least 4 different garbage/recycling cans for different types of waste.
(Makeshift recycling bins for packaging, leftover trash and paper. Glass and organic matter are also recycled)
Even our hostel has a solar water heater. Every time we ride the train through the countryside there is an abundance of wind mills.
It’s hard to go a day here without seeing a solar panel or some form of alternative energy. Really, I think it just isn't as popular in America because we're lazy. It's easier to just throw things away in one place, it's easier to not care about the environment or about the planet. If there’s one thing I'd like to help our country change that would be it. It might sound like I’m a hippie (to some), but we really need to start caring about what we do to the only planet we have to live on.
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