(no subject)
Note: Just a rant, probably not going to post...
I am becoming less indulgent of Europeans. It's difficult to make a generalization like that, but it's true. I am starting to understand my American-ness more as each day passes. The contradictions in continental European culture are stark. I watch as it becomes less tolerant with each passing day and stifle angry laughs when they expect me to believe they care about the Iraq war.
It was about money and about not enough of it feeding the European machine. The national rhetoric I encounter here stating otherwise is regrettable, irresponsible, un-nuanced and downright hateful. But, usually, you can hate America and the church without anyone questioning.
To my eyes, Europe is a place of old cultures who squabble because of old, unspoken or forgotten hatreds. Each culture is too weak to attain it's former glory, but that does nothing for their national egos.
But they have beautiful cities. And not the baggage I carry in America. However, some people think that my choice to be here for those reasons have something to do with the superiority of their cultures. People have asked and I state it here that is why I am here.
In general, Americans are kind, polite and compared to the people I meet on a daily basis go out of their way to make people feel comfortable. Truly comfortable. Not a forced hospitality that
We have our problems, but we are still good people. Some of us have forgotten that. I hope that we remember before it is too late.
There is the idea of being the outsider here. In a certain sense, my skin color is a camouflage in everyday situations. No one assumes that you would be black and American. In fact, they will often insist that you aren't and keep asking what part of Africa you are from. (And let's not bring up the Jew thing.)
On a bus into Ukraine, a German fellow commented when someone sang "Highway to Hell," that it was "like America." Of course, I retorted, "We're staring at your country's bumper," but he didn't understand and there was really no productive reason to repeat myself.
I like to travel alone. It's just a thing. Traveling alone means that you choose when and whether you choose to hook up with someone and share their time. Also, you have something of a choice. Choice is always good. I think a good deal of my loneliness at Columbia had to do with having/wanting a choice. I knew how transient forced communities like that can be. Were it not for knowing the like
I enjoy doing most things alone or in the company of intimates. I feel silly in group activities and to a certain extent, group conversation. A big problem here is that I am not eating with people and they take that personally. I rarely eat with anyone I don't know and won't get to know better.
Traveling alone means that you choose when and whether you choose to hook up with someone and share their time. Also, you have something of a choice.
I am tired. I take medications that demand I have a certain amount of rest and, in American parlance "me time," if I am able to function.
I like to party as much as anyone else.
I am becoming less indulgent of Europeans. It's difficult to make a generalization like that, but it's true. I am starting to understand my American-ness more as each day passes. The contradictions in continental European culture are stark. I watch as it becomes less tolerant with each passing day and stifle angry laughs when they expect me to believe they care about the Iraq war.
It was about money and about not enough of it feeding the European machine. The national rhetoric I encounter here stating otherwise is regrettable, irresponsible, un-nuanced and downright hateful. But, usually, you can hate America and the church without anyone questioning.
To my eyes, Europe is a place of old cultures who squabble because of old, unspoken or forgotten hatreds. Each culture is too weak to attain it's former glory, but that does nothing for their national egos.
But they have beautiful cities. And not the baggage I carry in America. However, some people think that my choice to be here for those reasons have something to do with the superiority of their cultures. People have asked and I state it here that is why I am here.
In general, Americans are kind, polite and compared to the people I meet on a daily basis go out of their way to make people feel comfortable. Truly comfortable. Not a forced hospitality that
We have our problems, but we are still good people. Some of us have forgotten that. I hope that we remember before it is too late.
There is the idea of being the outsider here. In a certain sense, my skin color is a camouflage in everyday situations. No one assumes that you would be black and American. In fact, they will often insist that you aren't and keep asking what part of Africa you are from. (And let's not bring up the Jew thing.)
On a bus into Ukraine, a German fellow commented when someone sang "Highway to Hell," that it was "like America." Of course, I retorted, "We're staring at your country's bumper," but he didn't understand and there was really no productive reason to repeat myself.
I like to travel alone. It's just a thing. Traveling alone means that you choose when and whether you choose to hook up with someone and share their time. Also, you have something of a choice. Choice is always good. I think a good deal of my loneliness at Columbia had to do with having/wanting a choice. I knew how transient forced communities like that can be. Were it not for knowing the like
I enjoy doing most things alone or in the company of intimates. I feel silly in group activities and to a certain extent, group conversation. A big problem here is that I am not eating with people and they take that personally. I rarely eat with anyone I don't know and won't get to know better.
Traveling alone means that you choose when and whether you choose to hook up with someone and share their time. Also, you have something of a choice.
I am tired. I take medications that demand I have a certain amount of rest and, in American parlance "me time," if I am able to function.
I like to party as much as anyone else.