We’ve been somewhat fortunate these last three weeks since the elections to be in another country on another continent. While we’ve kept up with the headlines, we have generally managed to steer clear of the hand-wringing, OMG-ing and yes, the celebrating that seems to be rather pervasive in the US.
The few conversations we’ve had with locals and fellow tourists have been met with a mix of good humor and confusion, with some measure of concern. The role that the US plays in the world is well known to most people over here, and there is a bit of wariness, but for the most part people are just living their lives.
We had a laugh with three German college guys at a winery in Porto. When the subject inevitably came up, we said that we were very happy to be in Portugal. 😉
The great thing about travel, seeing other places and talking with other people is that it tends to really open our worldview. We know that things might look and sound a little different when we get home, but we know that what is done is done, there is nothing we can do to change it, so we’ll see what happens and figure out how to deal. Who knows, maybe everything will work out just fine!
I like that poster. Says it quite well!
I almost bought the t shirt! 😉
Last night, we returned after nearly 4 months in Italy, so we were also out of the US for the whole of the shenanigans. Our experience with the Italians was very similar to yours, with most of the responses to the outcome of the US election being “reserved concern”. Something that I think is lost on a lot of Americans is the proximity of Ukraine to the rest of Europe. For us, it’s a “faraway war” but for Europeans, it’s literally on their doorstep.
But, like your poster says… “it’s all shit”.
Wait… that’s not exactly what it says… but exhaling the bad is really the best plan.
That’s true, Jeff. While the US is a long way physically from eastern Europe, and for that matter the rest of the world, the consequences of our policies and our actions are felt here. I’m admittedly not qualified to opine on the ins and outs of the situations, as they are very complicated.
One of our drivers was Ukrainian, and other then expressing our hope that his family and friends were safe, there was little that we could say.
Good to know you’re back home for a while. Best to you and MP!
Travel should be a high school requirement, it does a person good.
Not a bad idea, Joe!