Europe becomes ELSEWHERE–“over there” again, at midnight, as the UK ups anchor and sails away (or free falls from a ship in the sky!)
I was born in January 1942, so for two and half years I lived in a Europe torn apart by war, blissfully unaware of the horrors that were happening.
I was lucky. “Elsewhere” featured strongly in my life in the 1950s. My parents were outward-looking and liked to travel, using Dad’s concessionary travel permits (a perk as an employee of British Rail). I took it in my stride; never felt scared of the idea.
My first trip in 1951 was to Paris with a school party.
We traipsed through the streets in crocodile file–two abreast.
Blissfully ignorant of what being occupied had meant for people we were passing on the pavements.
My recall is minimal but I do remember the hot chocolate in cafés and the scary view from the top of the Eiffel Tower.
Two years later (summer of 1953), on our way to a beach holiday in Lloret del Mar on the Costa Brava, I remember feeling shocked seeing young boys begging on the street in Barcelona, just fourteen years after the end of the Spanish Civil War,
I remember Franco’s sinister police with their winged black helmets and machine guns keeping the beach “decent”.
I discovered the taste of an egg fried in olive oil, too.
I remember my first trip to Germany–1957–twelve years after the end of the war. I took the train to Flensburg near the Danish border and had my wallet stolen.
I remember the generosity of my German host family, who replaced the precious money I’d lost.
I remember in Spring 1961, on a nine-week tour of Europe before University, bashing steel for a week in a factory in Dusseldorf to make connecting rings for pipes and being astonished how quickly the city had risen from the ashes–just sixteen years after the end of the war.
I remember in 1961--(twelve years after the end of the Greek Civil War)–picking mulberries from the tree at a corner of the road leading into Delphi and feeling guilty, trying to wipe the purple stain of mulberry juice from my arms.
That same year, The National Youth Theatre toured Genoa, Florence, Perugia and Rome with a modern-dress production of Julius Caesar (I played a shouty First Citizen). In Rome, Caesar dressed in a garish uniform may have been an uncomfortable sight for some in the audience. One performance finished at 2am. The producer had run out of money and refused to pay the electricians, who went on strike in the interval. None of the audience left. This was definitely “elsewhere,” we learned that night.
I remember my mother beside herself with worry that brother Jack (six-years-old) was drowning on the beach at Marina di Campo on Elba in summer 1961–146 years after the end of the Napoleonic Wars!!
“There is a world elsewhere”, I pronounced as a defiant Coriolanus–banished from Rome. A college production this time on a tour of Norway, Denmark and Germany.
By now I knew there was and I thrived on exploring it.
I was lucky.
All these early remembrances of times past and many more in the years that followed –experienced in the war-free zone of newly uniting/united Western Europe.
Increasingly and quickly, war became inconceivable within the EU–and has remained so.
Unlike the twenty years after the end of the Great War, a stabilising and unifying organisation had emerged from the rubble.
And let’s not forget what erupted on the doorstep of the European Union in former Yugoslavia in the mid-nineties.
It was brutal, it was tribal. Neighbour killing neighbour.
A genocide in Srebrenica–8000 men and boys, massacred.
Observer columnist Andrew Rawnsley last Sunday:
Now Foolish Albion is sailing away, jumping out.
That is why I’m sad or if I’m honest–mad as hell.
Robin Ellis 
Dear Robin, Vintage 1942, I’m 6 years behind you! I love France; My ancestry is Huguenot. I too can remember most of the things you speak about, although I am not so widely travelled as you; I have only been to France, Switzerland and the USA. I intended to travel once I retired, but my body had other ideas and disabled me. Ah well, I can still travel via TV documentaries. I love the meme; I too am sad over what has happened.
Robin
Wonderful piece. I was born a year after you and my life has been bracketed by two seismic political events.
The first was to elect a Labour government in July 1945, against all expectations. This government ushered in the welfare state and the NHS, both of which the Tories voted against. This, plus the movements in post-war Europe created decent, democratic and peaceful societies.
The second was June 2016, when Britain voted to leave the EU, misled by lies and ludicrous promises. And what for? To save the Tory Party, nothing else.
I live in hope that the next generation or two will undo this tragedy. But I won’t see it, sadly.
Thanks, Piers.
We have to live in hope.
Our generation has been so fortunate to live our lives in peace.
(We have another Labour PM to thank for not sending us to help out in Vietnam.)
Education 3x (another Labour PM!) is the only future.
Good to hear from you.
Robin
A lot of people feel the same way. They now embrace the unknown wrapped up in misplaced patriontism and media induced fear of their European neighbours. I am an American naturalised British but putting faith in Trump s our allie is not a good choice. Some people here are celebrating, partying, MPs serving drinks in local pubs, congratuling themselves on finally Brexit done while the rest of us feel like you, MAD. Thank you for sharing.X
Thanks, Lore.
I remember sitting at my late dear Dads knee listening to his tales of serving in Burma Of going to see my Auntie on a bus whose stop was outside a bombed mill in downtown Bradford West Yorkshire I was born in 1949 but fir me war was still rationing and my vivid imagination of bombing How scary how horrific it must have been I remember joining the EU and my dad saying we must be international That is the only way to maintain peace I’m not well travelled Robin Outside of GB America once and several summer holidays with family in a Europe I’m much more a reader and I reflect a great deal But more truthfully I have to watch the pennies Though I do travel to London fir theatres galleries etc This past few weeks I have felt resigned and detached from today’s deadline Until this morning I’m with you sad and mad as hell Plus I was reminded anew of why we had a referendum Mr Caneronnwas pandering to the internal bickering spanning forty years by those who have always held power The privileged few I believe the ordinary person in the street voted to leave because they felt unheard by that same privileged few So they blame I hope that with my lifetime this decision can be reversed Tjough they will have to hurry up Irs my grandchildren I worry for Thank you always fir your interesting and considered texts Regards to you both and the moggies
All we can do is try to make the best of it. As some keep pointing out we are leaving the European Union, not Europe. Fingers crossed for a safe transition through this process and a happy future.
I remember when the UK voted to be part of the EU in 1974 although I was too young to vote. I have never had a problem with being British and European; the two are mutually exclusive I had travelled with my parents to Austria and Italy on our rare family holidays abroad. But my first big trip to Europe was interrailing for a month in August 1984 after graduating from university. Austria, Hungary, Sarajevo, Dubrovnik, Pompeii & Herculaneum, Siena, Florence, walking in the Dolomites, Veenice, Paris…such excitement at my own grand tour. This was just the start of my love affair with Europe.
I voted Remain in the Referendum of course. I didn’t even consider the other option. And today I am sad, and also mad as hell. But I refuse to say goodbye to Europe. Instead I say 《Au Revoir》. However long it takes, “perfidious Albion” will be part of the EU again one day 😥
One happy day, Helen!
So am I…Robin! We shouldn’t be trying to stand alone!
Je suis tellement d’accord avec toi, Katy!
I’m with you, Robin – also livid and depressed about the whole thing. I will light a candle tonight in protest, and recall this quote from Victor Hugo (1871) who dreamt of a united Europe:
Soyons les états-unis d’Europe
Soyons la fédération continentale
Soyons la liberté européenne
Soyons la paix universelle !
– Victor Hugo, 1871
Lovely quote on a sad/angry-making day, Ruth. Hi to Christopher.
I relate. Was born in January 1945 in Philadelphia. Moved to Paris in October 1949 when father joined the Marshall Plan. Finished early school (in French). Then to Lisbon in January 1955. Father was now a diplomat. Middle school in French. Then to Brussels in September 1958. High School at International School (British). After graduation in 1962, to Washington DC for college. 1967 to NYC for the next 30 years. Now retired happily in small town New Hampshire. Traveled back, but life was never the same. I am sad (feel I have to night to be angry, really) about what has happened over there. Everything seems topsy-turvy these past few years, but being reminded of all the wars you mention, is horrifying. And yet I remember some of that so well. Especially in Paris four years after the war. Thank you for your thoughts, as usual. I think we’ll need more cat stories soon.
Will do, Melissa–they are (unlike me, any longer) blissfully ignorant of all this!
Good blog.
Bravo and well done. Rick and I were talking about “elsewhere” last night — how in America many people don’t understand the world. Elsewhere to them is the next state over — or Florida inthe winter. You capture what “elsewhere” does to our understanding of the world, of people, how it broadens our experiences and our lives. I’m a little sad today, and even mad, as Brexit takes hold; as America rushes through an important trial because of such polarization (and “got to finish before the Super Bowl” — which is the worst argument); as our world faces so many challenges. We all need to be more aware of “elsewhere.” Thanks for these good thoughts.
Thanks, Jeanie.
it’s dreadful here in America. thanks for *your* good thoughts, too.
What a powerful article! It’s so well written. Travelling through Europe as a student and later working in different countries made me feel the same way as you!
You could write a book expanding on your family ‘s experiences . We’re sad today too.
Amazing technology…just shared your article on Twitter and it deserves to be read by the world!!!
Too kind, Heidi–thanks.
oh yes! wonderfully well written and moving.
Thanks, Betsy–so sad today. Mais, c’est come ca–but not for ever we must hope.
Thanks for the beautiful and moving writing, Mr. Ellis. I sympathize with your feelings of sadness and anger. That’s how I feel when I look at what Trump is doing to my country, America.
I understand, Andrea and thanks.
amen, Andrea
Totally with you, Robin ; the daftest thing we’ve managed to do in years !
BUT, if you can ignore the bad odour it has caused with our Euro-friends, we are only really back where we were before, still just 22 miles away but now with far better communications (the tunnel) and, as yet, no currency restrictions.
As your correspondents prove, we (the Brits) enjoyed being in Europe then and I’m confident our great-grandchildren will enjoy adventures the same way !
Having lived a few years in France and Belgium, I’m now extremely envious of your having managed to put down roots properly. Keep up the good work.
Alex
Thanks, Alex.
We here in America are waking up this morning to the stunning realization that we have become a nation of fools led by cowards trembling before a corrupt ignoramus.
Agree completely.
Thank you, Robin. Prose poetry, this…touching the hearts of your readers who seem also sad and ‘mad as hell.’ In California this morning, it’s strange solace I feel amongst like-minded folk ‘elsewhere.’
Thanks, Celeste.
(Liz Turek) It’s very tough today. Thank you for your reflections. Your first paragraph was brought home by the moving commemoration at Auschwitz last week. If June 2016 felt like a bereavement, today feels like a funeral – the tears can now flow. However, as such I suppose it is also the beginning of a journey for us and for this we need hope. Time to inch our way forward as Brits in the EU!
You are right, it will be centimetre par centimetre!
Yes. I shall start by going completely decimal!
This from Capt Poldark….
right you are…thanks for that. sombre
Thank you for your measured and articulate blog Robin. Today is just devastating isn’t it…I can’t believe it’s happened – I too am sad and angry. I know in years to come I will find my positivity again but today I am furious.
It is, Alison.
Robin, thank your for sharing your memories. I was also born in 1942 but in the states. I have memories of the war but very different from yours. We were pretty isolated from the destruction. My memories are about the rationating of food. We actually got some beef at one point, and I invited the garbage man to join us for dinner.
We are no longer isolated, nor can anyone in this world be.
The world has certainly become much “smaller” and even the tiniest things can affect us all. The only way to keep this world alive is for all of us to work together. It is a sad thing for you that your country is going it alone. Our country is headed in the same direction and I fear for our survival. I too am very angry.
Thanks for the, Sandy.
Sandy, thanks for your words. It’s been quite something reading the replies, hasn’t it? We’re on common ground. I fear for our country’s survival, too.
Robin,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences revisited this sad day!
Leaving the EU is another of the many events occurring now that I thought had been left behind with other primitive eras and people.
And might be a major (no pun) step down the road to an ever more dangerous world. A challenge to the idea of a peaceful, united EUROPE.
Of course, we here face what may be our own bleak future –to avoid it we are hanging on with fingertips hope that four honest solons stand up and act courageously. But I’ve just found out
– one hasn’t:
“ Result All but Certain as Murkowski Says No
* Senators will debate whether to include additional witnesses and documents in the trial. * Senator Lisa Murkowski’s decision is probably a fatal blow to Democrats’ attempts to compel new witnesses and evidence.
live2m ago”
Love to you both.
John
Hi Robin, thank you for sharing that all. I am born in 1957 in Vienna having international mostly Italian roots being based still on the Austro Hungarian Monarchy and Mexican surroundings (husband). Was traveling to all our continents and our children and grandchildren are in Mexico and Vienna. Wherever I was for sometime mostly in India or Mexico, in Italy different times the year I am at home. Have been in the UK too and felt sooo good. ‘Elsewhere’ is integrated and all these things happening now will not be forever. For the future we all should keep together to face our challenges. We have a lot of international friends (British inclusive) here in Vienna and also yoga meditation helps us much to be in good balance.
With the best wishes from Austria!
Thanks, Renate.
The UK govt/Boris Johnson aka DT clone have treated Scotland shamefully over this and over indyref2.
I’m steamed, over here in the States, as well.
I’m steamed about the railroading politics and Little Donnie over here as well. I vote. I write my elected officials and give them my opinions frequently.
Marina in the Valley of Heart’s Delight, CA
Thanks Robin! It is a really precious writing by which we all have to remember , as the astronauts says …that from the moon the world appears with no barriers, customs or walls…except for the Great one in China!
Hello, Catia!
Lovely comment–thank you.
This morning my husband looked out of the window and said “I’m looking at little Britain, not the big wide world” That about sums it up for both of us, we are sad, worried for our children and grandchildren….and, like you, MAD!!
So well-expressed! ♥️
Robin, I love you to bits but I don’t agree altogether with being in the EU. I’m happy that this country will decide its own future. We may falter a few times but we’re made of strong stuff. We’ll make it. 😁🇬🇧
Shared your lovely piece to Facebook. Suggested people follow the banks. Keep an eye on LIBOR. It will come down to money no matter what.
Very well-put, totally agree. I was an au-pair in Marseille in 1975, helping with two young children and a new-born baby. Last year I had the joy of seeing the six year old (now 50) in Cowes, crewing in the Fastnet race, and meeting his parents again. Long live ‘LEntente cordiale’ of 1904.