TreyOwen

The people and their culture are exceptionally friendly, open, and welcoming. For such a large metropolis, this is always so very refreshing. There is a very special relationship between the people of Australia and the US. I've been told that during WWII, the United Kingdom was struggling to defend itself from Germany and that the UK was completely unable to assist Australia with the war in the Pacific. However, the US was able to send ships, supplies, and food to help defend the country and the people of Australia. As a result, there was apparently strong consideration, or at least discussion, about Australia becoming a part of the United States. I don't know how serious this discussion was but I've been told this story by many people on many different occasions. Regardless, there is no doubt that the warm and welcoming reception I've received from every Australian I've met in the last 30 years seems to be a more sincere and genuine welcome than I've received from a country's people anywhere else in the world. "From 1939 to 1945, Australia joined the Allies in fighting the Second World War. Australia's armed forces fought in the Pacific, European and Mediterranean and Middle East theatres. The shock of Britain's defeat in Asia in 1942, followed soon after by the bombing of Darwin and other Japanese attacks on Australian soil, led to a widespread belief in Australia that a Japanese invasion was imminent, and a shift from the United Kingdom to the United States as Australia's principal ally and security partner. Since 1951, Australia has been a formal military ally of the United States, under the ANZUS treaty." (Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia)

One of the things I like most about Frankfurt and everywhere I've visited in Germany (and all of the European countries I've visited) is that the cities and towns are so easily walkable. Even large portions of the big cities are pedestrian only, especially the shopping and dining areas, and I love it! And while Germany and the other European countries I've spent time in is still very western, it is often still very different. I love that there are still butcher shops, bakeries, fruit and vegetable shops, etc., even if the number of these is dwindling. Lastly, one of the things I love about Germany in particular is are the Christmas Markets! They're wonderful! Any visit to Germany during December should include a nighttime visit to a Christmas Market for every visitor! Frankfurt is currently the #2 financial center in Europe (well on it's way to becoming #1 after Brexit), and is, in some ways similar to my home, Charlotte NC, which is the #2 financial center in the USA. The people are very friendly, especially outside of the urban core where it seems everyone is always very busy.