Last night was gorgeous so I went for a walk to Marienplatz. (I’m in Munich now.) Here, as in other European cities I’ve visited recently, 90% of the infants are reclining in Bugaboo strollers. I’m a little surprised that Europeans–lower salaries, higher cost of living–would spend a gazillion Euros on a stroller, but maybe this is the equivalent of buying one fine piece of designer clothing and wearing it several times a week, as opposed to four cheap schmattas. I’m beginning to come around to this way of thinking, in strollers if not clothes, as it might have made more sense to purchase one reliable multi-functional gazillion dollar stroller than four (count ‘em!) semi-functional, space-hogging strollers. Because they hog space, we frequently leave them out in the rain; and because we leave them out in the rain, they wear out pretty quickly, hence the replacements.

Every Bugaboo I saw last night had its little thermal baby-sac attachment zipped on. And all the children zipped up in those sacs were also wearing snowsuits, hats, mittens, and blankets. It was 50 degrees Fahrenheit. I know it seems colder when it’s expressed in Celsius, but good Lord. Fifty degrees in New England is beach weather! Shoes optional! Strip down the kids and let them play in the sprinkler, practically!

Tomorrrow when I land in Boston, incidentally, it’s going to be 12 degrees Fahrenheit, with a wind chill of 5. But if any parents have their babies out for a stroll, those kids still won’t be as bundled up as the little Münchkineren.