switzerland

"So appealing is the image of Switzerland as an affluent, clean, and well-run society that other countries fancy themselves the Switzerland of their particular region. Singapore is the Switzerland of Asia, Costa Rica the Switzerland of Central America. But here I am in what can rightfully be called the Switzerland of Europe. The real deal." The Geography of Bliss, Eric Weiner

i've just begun a book about one NPR correspondent's search for the happiest place on earth. so far, we've gone through the netherlands, switzerland and bhutan. his writing style is very similar to bill bryson.. who for some reason i really don't care for, even though he's kind of a cult classic for travel nonfiction. but this author is very dry and entertaining.

i kind of forget what he said about the netherlands. there's an institute there that puts a number on happiness. switzerland has lots and lots of rules, and people go out of their way not to flaunt their wealth or rock the boat. and in bhutan, no one sits around thinking or talking about how happy they are, but they are very happy. (funny how you think you have an understanding of something you read, and then when you try to explain it, you realize you haven't actually retained any details at all).

looking forward to the thailand and great britain chapters.