‘Traveling While American’ just got easier….
April 8, 2009
I don’t know about you, but I was glued to the TV and news Web sites last week, watching President Barack Obama’s (and First Lady Michelle’s) every move as they took Europe by storm. Pride swelled in me—and tears occasionally welled in my eyes—as I saw these smart, strong, self-confident African-Americans from MY South Side of Chicago interact with and YES, dazzle leaders from around the world, including the Queen of England.
How cool was this, to see these two Americans stand shoulder to shoulder with some of the globe’s most important people and pass with flying colors? And how fabulous was it to see the reception they got from "regular folks"—Michelle with those adorable girls in that London school, the president when interacting with thoughtful young people during those town halls in Strasbourg and in Istanbul?
Having traveled extensively and often through Europe and other countries during the past eight years, I knew that America’s policies were highly unpopular with many I encountered. While to their credit local residents were never rude to ME because of their dislike of then-President Bush, our wars, etc., during my most recent trips overseas, Europeans and folks of other nationalities sought me out, telling me how excited and hopeful they were about our new president.
I wish I could have been on the streets of London; of Strasbourg, France; of Prague when the gorgeous First American Couple made their appearances last week. How heartwarming it was to see regular Europeans—and their leaders—wholeheartedly embrace these two who represent the best of what America can be.
I’m returning to the south of France later this month (more on that later!!), but can’t wait to chat with the locals and hear their thoughts about American and world politics in the Age of Obama. For a change, this traveling sista will no longer be hesitant to pull out that blue U.S. passport while standing in overseas customs lines. Yes, America is back—and for those of us who consider ourselves citizens of the world, it sure feels good!
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4 Comments Leave a Comment
1.
Avis W. | April 12, 2009 at 7:18 am
I can’t wait to travel abroad post-Obama election, too, just to see how we Americans will be perceived. Bon voyage!
2.
urbantravelgirl | April 12, 2009 at 7:20 am
Isn’t it exciting? I can’t wait to hear your feedback next time YOU travel overseas… will be fascinating to hear what folks are thinking and saying!
3.
planetnomad | May 12, 2009 at 5:56 pm
TELL me about it! We have mostly lived in Muslim countries, and I’ve had to deal with my kids getting hassled in the playground, rocks thrown at our car, etc., all for something I didn’t agree with in the first place!
We were in France during the start of the Iraq War (2003-2004) and we found, like you, people were very polite to us but made it clear they were able to separate individuals from their government’s decisions. I wish Americans could do the same.
4.
urbantravelgirl | May 13, 2009 at 4:43 am
Hola, Senora PlanetNomad!
You’re SO right … we Americans need to learn how to separate PEOPLE from their GOVERNMENT’S POLITICS. If people around the world held our country’s often-crazy policies against us, we’d be stoned every time we stepped across another country’s border.
Speaking of the Iraq War, my sister and I took my mom to Paris for her birthday back in 2003 — a trip that turned out to be just a couple weeks after the start of the conflict. We wondered whether to go and then realized that our strongest protest AGAINST it was to go to Paris, have a great time, and let our French brothers and sisters know that not all of us Americans were supporters of Bush’s war. That “citizen diplomacy” goes a LONG way!
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