America
"Where Are You From?"Everyone seems to know about the Boston Tea Party. I was intrigued. Is it that people around the world appreciate a good party? The event is probably studied because it marked the beginning of the end of colonization and the birth of the world's super power. The nations we've visited seem glad that such a power exists to preserve the peace.
"America."
"What part?" An Indonesian man asked me.
"Boston."
"Oh Yeah! Boston Tea Party," he laughed.
When Taiwan was threatened by China, people from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Taiwan told me that Bill Clinton did the right thing by sending the Seventh Fleet.
"America Strong!"People I've encountered around the world seem to appreciate the stability that America brings to their region. And they have not forgotten the past. I spoke with Simon, a Taiwanese, as we watched the sunset upon the Nepal Himalayas. He told me about his family's exodus from China in 1948 when the communists took over the Chinese mainland. He told me that America sent food and supplies to help the people of Taiwan while they rebuilt their homes and businesses.
"Where Are You From?"The American dollar, don't leave home without it. The British Pound, German mark, and Japanese Yen will only get you a long wait in the currency exchange line at the Kathmandu Airport. Not even the Nepalese rupee is accepted there. In Nepal you must pay for your visa in American dollars.
"America."
"America, Good Money!" A Nepalese man said.
Being from the land of 'good money' is useful, but it does have its draw
backs. "How much is the room," I asked in Nepal.
"Ah, Americans. You have good money," the hotel owner said.
"Thirty U.S. dollars." I had to wonder, if I'd come from someplace else, would the price have been less?
"Where are you from?"The same question was posed to me in Indonesia and Thailand. It seems everyone wants to talk American politics, and they all seem to be keeping up with the race. In Indonesia I discussed the political platforms of the Democrats and Republicans while we watched a rally for the Indonesian Muslim Party roar by on motorcycles.
"America."
"So who do you think will win the election?", a Malaysian man asked.
"Where are you from?"So many people seem to have the same impression. We can thank American television for that. It seems the less developed countries have an unquestionable thirst for Hollywood's image of America's guns and violence. News of the LA riots and letters from relatives living in New York City only reinforce the image. A man from India told me he was thankful he chose Frankfurt, Germany as a place to live over New York City.
"America."
"America, a dangerous place." I was told in Nepal.
A Nepalese travel agent who is used to traveling throughout India and Russia, told me she was afraid to leave her hotel room while in Seattle. She feared a violent attack. I tried, unsuccessfully I think, to reassure her that not all of America was like that.
"Yeah, I know, 'Baywatch'!"Well I suppose that if America needs an image, I'd rather it wasn't cowboys or bad guys from 'NYPD Blues'. Better people should think we all run around in bikinis.
"Where are you from?"
"America."
"What's your name?", an Indonesian man asked my wife.
"Janet."
"Janet Jackson?"