Living abroad or in fact traveling abroad for an American gal means a lack of association with fellow American gals. For our 300 million, we Americans certainly do not hold our numbers compared to the rest of the western world within the traveling circuit.
And so it was that I found myself for the first time in the fifteen years that I've been flirting between Asian countries, in a room full of fellow Americans! Yee-haw!
There were about 40 of us gathered at the UN pub, each nursing our Guinness Stout. (Except for me because I had the good fortune to come down with the flu on Election Day)! We had at least 20 States represented.
It was absolutely remarkable to be surrounded by so many Americans from so many different places for this historical event. None of us knew each other upon arrival, and now we've all traded business cards as well as hugs and high fives! We came out of the woodwork to witness the future of our country: From Peace Corp officers living hours away in remote villages, to Founders of NGO's, to retiree's, to stay-at-home moms, to travelers passing through, we gathered at 8 a.m. Thai-time in the hopes that we would all be able to walk out the door with our chins held higher.
You see, regardless of how one voted, we Americans out here on the road had a bit of something to prove ... ...personally.
Like I said, we don't often have the opportunity to socialize with fellow countrywomen. The truth is that I normally sit at dinner parties or school functions with women from the following countries: Australia, Wales, England, Ireland, Belgium, Norway, Cambodia, Thailand, Japan, Singapore, Manipur, France, Canada, or New Zealand. And many of you do know, and everyone should know what the rest of the world has been thinking of us. Not good ladies, not good. So imagine what it's like to be lunching at a table like thisevery time you decide to be social.
Mind you, all of these ladies are savvy, intelligent women, but there was still that prideful "C'mon America, make me proud---Do NOT make THEM right!!" drumming in the back of my mind every time the election became a topic of conversation. You know, that "Be All that you can be" that we Americans associate so well with. Trust me, when you've been raised like that, it hurts when people are bagging on your country---Simply because you love your country. Regardless of who's running it, it's still home.
So after we all clanked glasses and hugged and yes, even cried, we wiped our brows and one gal shouted, "It's okay to be American again!" And everyone whooped and hollered and truth be spoken-- it's not just okay, it's fantastic!!
I can't wait until the next luncheon! Yee-haw!
Cheers & Ciao for Now and for more fabulous information from Gina please visit her website at www.GottaLottaHope.com
