Happy Fourth, or, as my VMI classmate said, Fuck Yeah, America!
Yeah..
So the people I get along here with are either British or East Coast liberal. The British people dont quite get the whole patriotism thing, and it seems to be really out of fashion with the East Coast Liberal, foreign language speaking, set. When I ask them why, if they hate America so much, dont they move, the reply is a little offended.
See, I understand hating the administration, but America is a lot more than that. Im not exactly sure what I think it is, or if my upbringing just wasnt quite moneyed enough, but I seem to have somehow come by a severe case of patriotism, something densly unpopular with anyone I am otherwise bound to get along with.
Luckily it doesnt come up much.
WHY are only redneck Bush lovers patriotic these days...at least it seems that way here!
Its a little weird. None of the locals think I am American, everyone says Oh you are Canadian or French, even if I speak English to them. I even am a little conflicted about celebrating the Fourth here in a Muslim country, as it seems a little brash. But Americans ARE brash. Its part of who we are as a nation. Along with being obsessed with hand sanitizer and grilling.
And YES, we do all own guns. And we will bomb you if you kill our people.
(Note, I really don't agree with Iraq, but I cant say I disagreed with Afganistan.)
So theres my random conflicted patrotism update. I think for my fourth I am having a McDonalds milkshake and maybe a beer with some friends.
In other news, Morocco is interesting. For the first time I really wish I were a man, it would make life easier. Men are still expected to dress very modestly, but they can get around easier and sit in the front seats of taxis. I had a good experience in Rabat , and the jellaba (full length traditional garment, think the muslim veiled woman without the veil in a cheerier color and less baggy) seems to help with the catcalls in a way the ankle length skirts and long sleves didn't.
Arabic is going well, I have a good teacher and the military boys are cute even if one of them said he hopes a woman is never president.
So the people I get along here with are either British or East Coast liberal. The British people dont quite get the whole patriotism thing, and it seems to be really out of fashion with the East Coast Liberal, foreign language speaking, set. When I ask them why, if they hate America so much, dont they move, the reply is a little offended.
See, I understand hating the administration, but America is a lot more than that. Im not exactly sure what I think it is, or if my upbringing just wasnt quite moneyed enough, but I seem to have somehow come by a severe case of patriotism, something densly unpopular with anyone I am otherwise bound to get along with.
Luckily it doesnt come up much.
WHY are only redneck Bush lovers patriotic these days...at least it seems that way here!
Its a little weird. None of the locals think I am American, everyone says Oh you are Canadian or French, even if I speak English to them. I even am a little conflicted about celebrating the Fourth here in a Muslim country, as it seems a little brash. But Americans ARE brash. Its part of who we are as a nation. Along with being obsessed with hand sanitizer and grilling.
And YES, we do all own guns. And we will bomb you if you kill our people.
(Note, I really don't agree with Iraq, but I cant say I disagreed with Afganistan.)
So theres my random conflicted patrotism update. I think for my fourth I am having a McDonalds milkshake and maybe a beer with some friends.
In other news, Morocco is interesting. For the first time I really wish I were a man, it would make life easier. Men are still expected to dress very modestly, but they can get around easier and sit in the front seats of taxis. I had a good experience in Rabat , and the jellaba (full length traditional garment, think the muslim veiled woman without the veil in a cheerier color and less baggy) seems to help with the catcalls in a way the ankle length skirts and long sleves didn't.
Arabic is going well, I have a good teacher and the military boys are cute even if one of them said he hopes a woman is never president.