{obama in berlin}
i was so pleased to read that over 200,000 gathered in berlin to see obama. i'm not that involved in politics, i keep my opinions to myself for the most part... but I was encouraged to see such a positive reception from berliners and the international community there as a whole. i want america to be respected again. i sometimes feel uncomfortable in germany telling people i am american, but now that a new president will soon be elected i have hope that perhaps we can slowly start to regain respect from the rest of the world as it makes my expat experience so much better living abroad when people actually like us... everytime i'm in germany people ask me about bush like he is a personal friend and they make fun of the government here, the war, it's all very frustrating as germans love to debate politics, especially some of my friends, and i feel like i have had little to argue over the years. i'm tired of being asked where i am from and when i say 'america' they say 'sorry' and shake their head like i just told them i lost both arms and my firstborn died, my husband was hit by a truck, and i was diagnosed with some nasty virus. of course, i get a lot of hits for my accent too, it's 'american' and not 'british' and so many in germany have a nasty taste in their mouth for america. at least they did, last year and the years before. perhaps this year in germany will be different for me. i won't be looked down on for being american. if we do indeed elect the first afro-american president and he can actually change things, my future in germany will be even brighter... sometimes we don't think of how strong opinions run in regards to american politics until we leave the country. then it's quite alarming.
anyone in berlin reading... did you go? what was the overall vibe?
note: i must add that friends and those around my age (and younger) tend to be very open-minded and love america - are fascinated by it even. it's more the older generations i think...
Comments
It's a sad thing to not feel proud of your country, and I am tired of being an apologist because of our president and his administration. The US is a huge, diverse country, and I'm so excited by the prospect of it being lead by someone who represents what's GOOD about America.
I'm thankful I can say I'm Canadian since I have dual (as opposed to saying where I'm from). It's come in handy many a time!
https://www.overseasvotefoundation.org/
i am from berlin(germany) and i must say, the vibe here was very good. people really seem to embrase obama and for what he stands for. i think most germans are just tired of bush(jr and sr).because not much good came from them and their party.i think thats the reason why a lot of people doesnt like americans that much. to be honest i myself doesnt felt very proud being german(for all what happend in the past) but from that moment our hgovernment said we dont join the war agains osama i felt proud.i know that will cause some harm and i dont want to mean harm, but i think for us germans its very important not to be involved in a war again. but i think you dont have to worry. if the americans really elect barck obama than the whole world will be proud because he REALLY means a change- also in our minds.sorry, seems this is a bit too politica:-(
and yes, berlin loves obama. seems we are a bit crazy about him;-)
anyway i two hope that the overal look of america will change if obama is prestident, who knows!
But I would ask you to consider whether negative treatment is a sign that the US is doing something right. Our country needs to do what is right, not what will make us loved abroad. Even Obama now agrees that our presence in Iraq and Afghanistan is necessary, and he is also talking about attacking Iran.
The way I deal with the current political situation as an American living in Germany is that when I introduce myself to someone, I immediately say "and I didn't vote for George Bush". This makes most Germans laugh and breaks the ice. But don't worry about it - you will find your own way!
Obama was lots, lots in the news this week - all very positive. And I would have loved to be in Berlin to see him.
Also, I figured out that you are moving to Hannover, not Hamburg - sorry, it is usually late at night when I am blogging here!
I am really excited for you! It will be a real adventure and life-changing experience to move abroad! One thing that helped me meet lots of interesting people at the beginning was to take some German classes. You can take them very inexpensively at the "Volkshochschule" - your husband will know about this. You end up getting to know lots of people from all around the world who are going through what you are with relocating. It was a very enriching, rewarding, helpful experience for me!
I think that's the whole issue here.
Nevertheless: America is a beautiful country, with fanastic people and there is no country on the world that has the perfect government or a paradise society.
Change will come again.
Best of luck to you on your move and your life as an expat.
It's important to note that their dark history was only a short time period in their history, 10 years maybe, before and after that for thousands of years they have quite a lot to be proud of as a culture.
Holly
Try this one on the next down their long nosier
Sometimes, standing up for our country means standing up against government, and that is exactly what is happening here in the U.S.
The warm greeting and support Obama received in Germany, is proof that so many there and I hope other countries have figured out what is really going on in the day to day lives of the amazing folks in our country
Anyone who believes are Rupert Murdock owned media, reports to the world even a fragment of the true lives and souls of the AMERICAN INDIVIDUAL, IS SADLY MISINFORMED.
As for your amazing Holly, just be the shining soul your are and no doubt your upcoming six months in the amazing land of Germany, will be wonderful for you and all those who get to know you
Namaste,
MaryBeth
P.S.
Those curtains are divine!
I have to agree with Diana b/c I think the thing ppl criticize is actually the position the us-politics puts itself into.
This whole "we are the god-chosen country"-thing, "we know it all" and "we alone know whats right and wrong"
You can always have different opinions about political actions. But I don't agree in saying because we are germans, and there were bad things in the past, we don't have the right to criticize other political actions today. Isnt that what we were supposed to learn after WW II? To speak up when we feel someone is being mistreated? Im 22 years and not even my parents were born during WW II and while it is annoying not being liked as an american b/c of Bush jr., its annoying not being liked for stuff people did we (I) didn't even know. If we face it, a lot of countries did bad stuff in the past.. discriminate blacks in the us, killing innocent ppl in germany (...)
Still I hope you feel better now about being here. I lived in the states for a year and have been there a lot after that and I do love the american people a lot! I feel they are way more friendly in many situations and they always made me feel very welcome.
I hope you will get that feeling once you return in may and just you know, most of the people really had a problem with bush jr. and not with the american people. Its just that many fail to see the difference. That a president isnt always a reflection of the people living in his country.
Ahhhh... that was a lot now, sorry. I just had to add this anyway.
Have a great night!
Love from Münster