A Desperate Ploy When I Traveled, But Not Since January
My frequently "adopted city," Ottawa, when I traveled in past years
I'm proud that we elected Barack Obama, and proud of how most of the world feels about that. But in recent years, things haven't been that easy for American travelers going abroad.
Having been to over 100 countries in the past 40 years, I've felt the reputation of the United States shift back and forth. During the Vietnam War, doing graduate work in London, I had to fend off in-my-face anti-American arguments and insults even though I was young and against our involvement. I just tried to zen-out as the vocal Brits vented away.
Later, through the Clinton era, I basked in the glow of the "specialness" of being from the US. And almost anywhere I went, if I mentioned that I lived in New York City, waiters would chat me up about their uncles in Astoria and tell me how they hoped, somehow, some day to visit. I remember drivers acting giddy, shopkeepers smiling and handing me little gifts, chefs sending out an extra dessert. Being a New Yorker meant I was specially blessed: a symbol of hope and opportunity to many who did not have a chance for these precious ideals, and who knew they never would.
For me the apex of good will came right after 9/11. About half a dozen of us from New York, including a deputy mayor, were invited as symbolic guests of the government of Florence, Italy. We were feted for several days, and the Florentines expressed that they were New Yorkers too in our time of trouble. The Pitti Palace was opened at night for us, their mayor felt our pain, we even met the Ferragamos of shoe legend, in their home. Toasted and praised, we left feeling supported and healed. As Americans we seemed to be loved.
Then, rapidly, the nadir. The Bush-Cheney years. The world's silences, glares, disappointments, shock, hatred, threats.
To avoid stress during this time, as a frequent solo traveler I'd sometimes avoid mentioning that I'm an American, and even resort to saying that I was from Ottawa, a lovely capital city I know a bit about. This desperate ploy saved me from unwinnable tirades and arguments in hostile lands. I avoided the shame and frustration of having to answer why we reelected GWB, or why we had a congress that has led us so far off course, and why the war effort remained in the wrong place.
And so, seeing our new president being inaugurated this January brought tears to my eyes. The world wants to love us again. It is still on our side! Despite it all we remain a beacon of hope, and Barack Obama represents the best of us, an American creation of youth and grace and possibility.
I feel proud this Fourth of July. Our country is dealing with problems with less arrogance and more thoughtfulness. So Ottawa, you have deflected the blame and have been a safe haven, but I will not need to hide behind you any more.
I hope.
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Rated
Seriously, how true. Glad we can exhale again.
"And maybe it's the time of year,
But then maybe it's the time of man.
And I don't know who I am,
But life is for learning.
We are stardust, we are golden,
We are billion year old carbon,
And we got to get ourselves back to the garden."
Thumbed. Happy 4th, Lea. Many thanks for all your travel tales. You've helped me see places I probably will never get to. :-D
i've been trapped in my little cocoon here for the last decade and never made it out of the country during the Bush-2 years. that made me really sad, but now i can take some solace. i never had to do that. even during the reagan years, i enjoyed being american abroad--which sort of surprised me.
i can't wait to get back out there, and to feel some of the O-love while i bop around.
(ps, not Oprah. hahaha.)
LandP, yes, I got spits and curses, and fingers and tirades.
Thanks, NoisyNora. I continue to sally forth.
fins, sometimes our allies are our harshest critics. But Obama is a rock star so things are fine right now for Americans in Sweden. (But do be careful: I was mugged in Stockholm, at noonish.
Bill, Joni is a real poet. Thanks for the perfect quote.
Happy Birthday, America!
Carol, I traveled through Guatemala in the early 1990s in a government car. Was really nervous, about more than spitting.
Tom, sadly true.
George, those of us who are "good travelers" have to keep on getting out there. Happy Fourth to you. I have a feeling you'll be making something wonderful.
Steve, I love him too. And you're not so bad yourself!
Thanks, Sheep. Really kind.
Works every time.
Ocularnervosa, yes, distraction was one way to deal with it. But not so easy when you get a ranter.
Roy, always good to see you here. Yes, we're prouder now.
O'Really, you are something else. Happy Venetian Fourth.
Sharon
I was really happy for the US when Obama won. I hope to see real change in your economy soon though. It is heartbreaking to see so many suffering in your once unstoppable country.
Happy Fourth of July Lea and to all my American friends.
JK, yes it's ironic that we traded places. But I love Canada, and hope you had a happy July 1.
Myriad, you could have adopted Ottawa, too. You know a bit. Anyway, loved your gardena and cottage.
cartouche, thanks, but who's counting? :)
zazacat, I tried. so thank you.
silk, I feel that the world is the democratic party, and they are extremely happy about this election, and so, America. The only ones now who seem to complain about Obama are terrorists and Repubs.
Your calm wisdom exemplifies what America once stood for, and hopefully will again.
I remember during the last months of the election when Colin Powell finally threw his support to Barack Obama and gave eloquent interviews, carefully outlining his reasons and beliefs. Chief among them was the need to put an end to the destruction of true American values and our image around the world. It’s not as though Obama needed Powell’s support to win, but it felt like some marvelous turning point. Finally, finally, we seemed to be coming out of an other-worldly nightmare of living in a country whose actions we couldn’t explain and whose intentions seemed at best, unwise.
o'stephanie, it is always a treat to see you here. I miss seeing you more.
David, your thoughtful comments always add so much to the post. Thank you for that.
Melissa, I try. You are one too, I have no doubt at all.
Having only been to 40 or so counties, I guess you could say I have a more limited perspective. (I doubt it)
The U.S. feeds more, clothes more, heals more, (for an eye opener, I dare you to Google Bush/AIDS –Malaria relief) houses more, educates more, employs more, politically liberates more, and forgives more bad debt than any other nation EVER in history. Yes, EVEN during the Bush administration.
I am bewildered. If those people in other countries thought we shouldn't spend more than any other country on benevolence and famine relief or Billions on AIDS relief or agricultural research, would you also be so concerned.
You obviously have decided to educate yourself only with info about the (perceived) mistakes the U.S. has made from our detractors perspective and never really investigated how absolutely magnificently benevolent our country is. (Actually all of the misguided clamor about Iraq has been and will continue to be proven wrong. It will turn out to be one of the most successful liberation campaigns in history, second only to Normandy. Even then, in “Our Finest Hour” there were detractors who were proven wrong like you also.)
Anybody who has to EVER be ashamed to be an American has a twisted sense of reality. I am ashamed you call yourself an American. Do those of us who criticize, yet love America, in spite of her flaws, a favor and move to Ottawa. It seems Obama wants to make us more like Canada with each passing day. Maybe we can hire the Chinese to defend us like Canada uses America too.
Happy 4th. Obama has 1 term, so enjoy.
I always just say, hey, I didn't vote for him when hassled about Bush/Cheney. So far, it's worked.
Leenandra, I always started by saying I didn't vote for Bush/Cheney. Sometimes it worked.
Wow, wow, wow. We are not a perfect nation and at times we have to have the humility to recognize the fact that mistakes have been made. Admitting to them shows strength and a desire to live up to the principles stated by the Constitution. While I would state that I have never been ashamed to be an American, I have particularly over the past eight years wondered how the hell I could explain the total lack of respect for anyone else on the planet shown the the last administration. We are all in this together whether we like it or not.
but you're right, superficial jerks of all nationalities are happy that king obama will close gitmo. when he can. if he can. to date, that means the ones that have have been visibly damaged by american interrogation methods will be dieing on diego garcia, or at bagram.
can't let them into public view, you'd have to go back to being canadian again, and so would king barack. but don't worry, be happy. obama's extension of executive power even beyond dubya's is harmless, because he's such a sweet guy, and he'll only use it on ragheads anyway.
If you check the Air Force Magazine website, Daily Reports Archive, you will see that the Air Force has flown a total of 17,190 attack sorties to date (July 1) this year in Iraq and Afghanistan. Last year they had flown 16,249. Do you think the attacks this year were flown with 'less arrogance and more thoughtfulness'? I suggest you go back to being a Canadian.
in Australia.
We rejoiced with you in the Clinton era,and at times,despaired
in the GWB years.
I've noticed a distinct tone in the communications with folks I've met on-line from other countries as well. It's so nice to go to e-mail messages or posts, not wincing at what might be there before I even open them.
Steve, it may stay up that long if the editors are on Fire Island or somewhere relaxing.
Boomer, yes I used to wince or not open the emails. Things have improved.
It looks like even the US Government agrees with you. As I discussed in a previous post , here is what the federal government recommends (excerpt from my post):
… These days, the US Department of State has the following advice for Americans going abroad on its website: "As much as possible, avoid luggage tags, dress and behavior that may identify you as an American." As far as I know, no other developed countries recommend their citizens hide their nationality. Nowhere on the Canadian Government website do they recommend not putting a Canadian flag on your backpack (as shown below)…
This advice was still up as of a few minutes ago.
p.s. Although Ottawa is a nice city, Montreal is in my humble opinion is a little bit nicer. :-)
Jimmy, I just said "I didn't vote for him," first thing.
Thanks for the lastest info, Kanuk. I agree on Montreal, and love Quebec City.
When President Obama was voted into power,
our TV and print media went into a frenzy of joy.
Deservedly so.
Do you hear yourself? You actually said “We are not a perfect nation and at times we have to have the humility to recognize the fact that mistakes have been made. Admitting to them shows strength and a desire to live up to the principles stated by the Constitution.”
History will show that fair-weather patriots like you and those like you are not taking some moral high ground at all. To call your pseudo humility “strength” is hypocritical. To say you should be strong and admit that mistakes were made, and then to deny your citizenship is the HEIGHTH of HYPOCRISY!! Why, when you travel, didn’t you say that “Bush is our president and we support him even though he has made some managerial errors”. The reality is you are hypocrites.
Let’s get something very clear, it is your “opinion” that defines “mistakes” not international opinion alone. Who cares what other nations think if we are on the ideological high road?
You were “ashamed” because of your political ideology. Period. There were very few mistakes made in the actual management of the Iraq war, and I am proud of GWB. For you to suggest that the whole world agrees with you is foolish, self righteous and high minded. Even now the world view is awakening to the fact of the great success that is now Iraq.
Much of the world now looks on the US’s disdain for GW with puzzlement.
I’ll bet you like the team that wins the Super Bowl every year. You make me sick.
All i want now is the long bill of indictment for those murderous crooks. Nothing less I fear will clear our name, or prevent its recurrence.