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In 1993…
I traveled to Russia as a Student Ambassador for the USA. We were treated like royalty and the Russians were excited to be meeting an American. I traveled again in 1996 to Greece and Italy. The same reception was given. Our money was like gold everywhere we went. Being American overseas felt amazing. It felt like America was the really cool older sibling that other countries looked up to and wanted to emulate.
Fast forward to 2004….
Between 2004 and 2008, Rob and I have traveled to Europe, Africa, Central and South America. The feeling of being an American overseas felt like being the red-headed step child instead of the cool older sibling (no offense to red headed step-children, I think you’re beautiful). For the first time in my travel life I felt a chilly reception around the world. Not that I need the red carpet rolled out because I’m an American and no, I don’t believe that our country is perfect. However, this is the only time in my life that I have witnessed our flag being burned or have seen “F*ck the USA” graffiti oversees (and it’s not like I was in the Middle East).
Whatever your views or political affiliation is, you can not deny that traveling the world as an American has changed over the last six years. We’ve all heard of travelers claiming Canadian citizenship to avoid aggressive behavior. Personally, we don’t do that, we’re honest about our citizenship, but I can understand why some may not want to be.
We were no longer greeted by people asking questions about living in America and telling us that they wish they could move to America. No matter which country we were in, now matter who we meet, we always received one question, “Do you like President Bush?”. We’ve been asked in Rio de Janeiro, Punta del Este, Mykonos, Santorini, Marbella, Mexico, Marrakech and all over Italy. Both Rob and I have been traveling the world for many years, yet we had never received the assault of questions from foreigners before regarding our President and our political views.
Fast Forward to Tuesday November 4, 2008…
When Obama was named President-Elect on Tuesday night, I watched as the news showed the overwhelming joyous reactions from Grant Park. It was a huge display and an undeniably proud and historic moment for our country regardless of who you personally voted for. But when they began showing the viewing parties from around the world in places like Italy, Brazil, England, Africa and Australia I was in awe. It looked like the New Year’s Eve news coverage when they show the fireworks from the major cities around the globe. I watched as the foreign countries cheered, hugged and screamed for OUR country. Honestly, I cried. I felt like at that exact moment, something changed and we were let back into the club. The fact our country has risen above a history of ignorance and racial prejudice and overwhelmingly voted an African-American into the White House shows the world that we are a changed America.
Much remains to been seen and our new President will have to earn the respect of the world. But, if election night was a predictor of how the international image of America can change, then it’s finally time to take the Canadian flag off those suitcases!
80°F Sunny & No Humidity
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Great Post! I too was watching the coverage around the world, and for the first time in a long time, I actually felt proud to be American. I have limited my travel over the last 4 years, and made sure to have a Swedish Flag on my backpack (especially when I was in Morocco). I have hope that Obama will usher in a new type of politics where there is more unity than divisiveness. The world certainly needs it.
We make a daily animated web series the Traveling Gringos, and have an episode about the Canadian Flag… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8UnmTwtXng enjoy!
At a laundromat in Buenos Aires, I got a discount because I am a Californianan. Sweet!
This is so true! I am so thrilled that he won for a million reasons, not the least being the fact that we can travel again! I’m taking every Obama shirt I own when I go to Africa in the fall!
Well, first of all, who really cares about what other countries think of us? We should be proud to be American’s no matter what. I guess you guys are the type who only like a sports teams if they are winning too huh? “Fair Weathered Americans” don’t belong in America!!! Too many people are forgetting what this country was based on — read your history books people there was a thing called the Revolutionary War!!!! Also, Bush is just one person — a president has to go through a thing called checks and balances (aka: Congress/House of Reps) “another social studies lesson). A president or a president elect can promise whatever they want but that doesn’t mean it will get voted in. Bush tried to give us several tax breaks but was voted down — he wasn’t perfect yet nor were the conditions that he was thrown into; not to mention he was shut down many times by a Democratic majority in the house — yes the Democrates are the ones who tied up Bush’s hands. Don’t get me wrong – I hope and pray that Obama ends up being one of the best Presidents we’ve ever had (possibly since Reagan – God rest his soul) but he has been nothing but talk so far. Let’s wait until he actually does something before we sing his praises. You know, Hitler was an excellent speaker too and yet would you want him as your President??? I have yet to hear a good reason why people voted for or are excited about Obama being President elect other than the fact he is a democrat and he is black — what they heck is that gonna do for me? our country? I don’t care if our President is green with purple polka dots — talk is just talk people! Do you really think that someone who has worked their butt off to get ahead and made wise investments and decisions should have to pay more taxes so that “joe welfare in the projects” who won’t work can have an equal share of the pie??? I am sorry, “equal opportunity” means you have an equal chance to make something of your life in America — not that each of us will throw all of our money to our leaders and let them decide how to distribute it! Open your freaking eyes people — that is socialism!!!!! Pray that the congress and house will protect our country from this and that Obama will realize – we aren’t all equal – some of us work and some expect handouts! Either way, if you not proud of America (no matter what) I say – MOVE! God Bless America please, we obviously need it more than we know!
Man, I have been heckled so much in my travels about our administration. I’m glad the Bush days are finally over. Obama will be a great ambassador to the world for the U.S. However, with all that Bush did to make us look bad, I can not say that I was ever ashamed or not proud to be an American. There are some great countries out there, and I’ve been to a ton of them. We’re still one of them. Every time I get back after a long trip and the U.S. customs agent says, “Welcome home”, I have an overwhelming rush of pride up my spine. I’ll always love it here. The mere fact that people have been so quick to question and criticize only means one thing; we still are the preeminent nation that all look up to.
nice
By certain researches, Lincoln was USA 5th worst president overall. It is overrated to me …
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