The night after the spectacular announcement that Barack Obama is to become our new President, I stayed up rather late catching some random  headlines from the international media.   These images are in alphabetical order according to country. (This post was updated Nov. 5 at 11:45 with expanded text).   

How does the rest of the world feel about the US election results?  

For the last two terms I have traveled the globe as guest to countries that were universally disgusted and appalled by the arrogance and greed of the US and the Bush administration. Most of the time I would avoid the subject of where I was from  - simply because I was ashamed of  the ugly face my country displayed to the world. English is the universal language when traveling, so it wasn't too difficult  to remain untagged as an American -  but such subterfuge, however small and insignificant, always left me feeling low. The friendly Thai cab driver in Bangkok " Ah, you must be from the UK. Princess Di, I loved Princess Di!"  I  gave him a thumb up, not exactly a lie - and not exactly the truth. And then there was passing as an Australian by assumption. Generally in SE Asia people would assume that I was Australian simply because Americans rarely go there unless they are on some fancy and expensive tour. As a lone backpacker, I certainly couldn't be an American. Again, not exactly a lie - and not exactly the truth. 

Sometimes, when the opportunity presented itself in a conversation with people who were not likely to bop me over the head or give me grief because of my homeland, I would say that I was against this administration,that Bush was not my choice for president, and then I would apologize for my country. I actually did a reasonable amount of apologizing. 

That only felt slightly better then the avoidance.  

Now, after this historic event that has taken us all by storm, I would say that the world is celebrating and hopeful. Personally, I am jubilant and overwhelmed by a feeling of pride in my country. Can we still recover the trust and admiration of the international community? Can we redeem ourselves? 

Yes we can!

AUSTRALIA

 AUSTRIA

 CANADA

BELGIUM 

 BRAZIL

CHINA 

 COSTA RICA 

DENMARK 

FRANCE 

GERMANY 

 GREECE 

INDIA 

IRELAND 

ITALY 

JAPAN 

JERUSALEM 

RUSSIA

(urm.... I find this one a little disturbing)  

SPAIN 

SWEDEN 

UK