2023-08-01 -- Liechtenstein

Many people have heard of Liechtenstein(1) but struggle to pinpoint it on a map. I admit I was no different. For some reason, I mistakenly believed it was located about fifty kilometers north of Austria(2).

As a child, I recall a train journey from Rome(3) to Naples(4). We encountered a young British couple backpacking through Europe. When they asked us where we were from, they confessed that they had heard of Iran but couldn't pinpoint its location. My father had to explain its geographic position, which surprised them with its size and location.

Contrary to Iran (size), Liechtenstein is often misperceived. While many people associate the name with Germany or Switzerland, it's actually a tiny country. Due to my oversight of Austria's existence, I had no prior connection to Liechtenstein.

For me, Austria, another German-speaking European country, seemed distant from Germany, Switzerland, and Italy. I associated it more with Hungary or the former Yugoslavia. I have fond memories of Lake Balaton(5) in Hungary(6). Perhaps my negative perception of Austria stemmed from associating it with Adolf Hitler, a notorious figure who caused immense suffering. Or maybe it was the feeling I've experienced on every trip since 1978 that Austrians often imitate German culture. It's as if they aspire to be Germany. I found it irritating when some people would distort historical facts to support their point. For example, while Adolf Hitler was German, Beethoven was Austrian. (which is not true)

I'm quite familiar with this concept. Growing up, I encountered many people from different regions of Iran who both loved and resented being associated with my hometown. Perhaps this experience contributed to my aversion to nationalism and racism.

It's important to note that my perspective on Austria has evolved. I now appreciate its quality of life, social systems, environmental consciousness, cleanliness, tranquility, and rich cultural heritage, especially its music. I believe Austria possesses its own refined culture, charm, and unique identity, and should be valued for what it is. Similar to the Swiss, who maintain a distinct identity despite bordering France, Italy, and Germany (although Germans often poke fun at Swiss German), Austria should also strive for its own individuality. During my recent trip to Austria, I didn't encounter any of the negative impressions I had previously held. The people I met were proud individuals, not nationalists.

At the end of December 2022, with relatively warm weather, we gave up skiing and opted for a European tour instead. I convinced everyone to visit Zurich(7, a city I adore. However, my true intention was to explore Liechtenstein, so we took a detour through the country, even though it added to our travel time.

As you enter Liechtenstein, you'll experience a strange sense of familiarity. The landscape, the architecture—it all seems strangely familiar, as if you've been here before.

Perhaps it's just me, but I have a fondness for dairy products (though not as much as pastries). In my quest for unique cheeses and butters, I often encounter products with images of mountains and cows on the packaging. Given the country's small size, many of these images likely feature the same few iconic landscapes.

The architecture is quite similar to neighboring countries, making it difficult to distinguish between them without prior knowledge.

Vaduz(8), the capital of Liechtenstein, has all the amenities of a typical capital city, including a McDonald's. However, this shouldn't detract from the country's reputation for healthy living. Perhaps the fast-food chain is simply a fun indulgence for the locals.

Despite its small population of around 5,600, the capital city, Vaduz, offers all the amenities of a larger metropolis, including "paid parking".

We parked the rental 2023 Audi Q7(9) in the underground parking garage. Ironically, parking was free! To be safe, I parked the car in the tightest spot possible, hoping to avoid any potential damage and black listed by the rental company, Sixt(8).

I encountered a unique cola drink I had never seen before.

For a brief moment, I was the Prince of Liechtenstein!

The city boasted the largest train shop I'd ever seen, and I couldn't resist the urge to explore it.

You can pay for goods and services in both euros and Swiss francs. And no, I didn't buy any trains, as they were unfortunately out of my price range.

To put this into perspective, consider the size and wealth of Liechtenstein. It's roughly a quarter of the size of San Diego, California, covering about 60 square miles or 160 square kilometers. With a population of less than 40,000, the country boasts a GDP of approximately $7 billion. That translates to a per capita GDP of nearly $200,000, which is quite remarkable.

The next time you see a drill bit or manufactured diamonds, whether it's a tiny dental drill or a massive tunnel boring machine, remember Liechtenstein. This small country plays a significant role in the global diamond industry.

(c) I have personally taken the pictures (except the one I am in it!) and own them. Feel free to use them as you may like.

(1) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liechtenstein

(2) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austria

(3) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rome

(4) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naples

(5) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Balaton

(6) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hungary

(7) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Z%C3%BCrich

(8) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaduz

(9) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audi_Q7

(10) https://www.sixt.com/