I wrote about my American neighbours, after a visit to #NYC and the #9/11 memorial. And at the time of another #election. What I wrote then still fits today.
Friendly Americans
With the American election fever riding high, I can’t help but think of all the wonderful Americans I’ve met. That’s been one of the pleasures of traveling.
In the spring, Robert and I spent three weeks in New York. In my debut novel, A Cry From The Deep, my character spends part of her time there, so the visit was partly for fun and partly for work. The people I met on the streets were bar none—the friendliest, the most helpful and the most patient of any people I’ve ever met on my travels. In this city of 8,000,000 and growing, people live a fast life. And yet, I found that whenever I stopped someone to ask for directions, they were always polite. They looked as if they had all the time in the world to help me. What a great city! What wonderful Americans!
9/11 Memorial
As for a more intimate experience, nothing 
can match the one I had at the 9/11 Memorial. We went there the day before Easter. I saw an older man with a bag of red Gerberas. He was putting them, one by one, onto an engraved woman’s name, one that had been carved in the granite of the 9/11 Memorial. I was touched by how tenderly he placed each flower. I was moved to approach him. I said to him, “I’m sorry for your loss.”
He stopped what he was doing and told me the story of his daughter who worked in the second tower. She and her boss were standing outside the building after the first tower was struck. Thinking they were safe, she went back into the building with her boss and never came out.
Her father told me how much she loved Easter, how excited she would get with the 
festivities. How she loved chocolates and flowers.
I asked him if I could give him a hug. He nodded. We hugged, and he cried on my shoulder.
That man touched my heart and made me think again of his story, one of a couple of thousand more engraved on that memorial.
Americans on our Travels
And then, last month, we went on a cruise to celebrate our special anniversary.
Geiranger, Norway
On board were a lot of Dutch and American people. When we encountered any Americans at mealtime, the conversation would invariably turn to politics. We shared a dinner with a very well educated gay couple from Chicago who planned to vote Republican. I was stunned, as gay rights aren’t on top of the Republican agenda. When I asked them why they were voting for Romney, one of them said, “Because of sharia law.” They were concerned that with Obama, the Islamic threat of sharia law would sneak into the American justice system. I thought the opposite. We have a multi-cultural society in Canada. I trust our justice system to handle this issue when and if it comes up.
Another American we met was from the mid-west, a small business man who sold dentures. He told us that Obama was born in Kenya. That his birth certificate was false. It seems that no matter what Obama says, no one on the Right will take his word or the proof he’s brought forward more than a few times.
A Dutch woman we talked to said she’d spoken to an American couple who believed the Jews were behind 9/11. She heard from them that no Jews had perished in the Twin Towers disaster, as they’d been warned beforehand. The Dutch woman and I shook our heads. It’s hard to fathom that kind of ignorance. There’s substantial evidence that no one was spared in that terrorist attack. Jews, Christians, Muslims, and Atheists, they all died when the towers fell. What’s shocking to me is the fact that all these conspiracy and anti-Semitic theories continue to be spread by so-called intelligent people. It’s hard to find the truth in a pile of bullshit. Does this remind you of what is going on today?
And then, there was this beautiful woman from California, the wife of a surgeon, who believed what Romney was saying about the 47% of Americans who weren’t paying any taxes. She said, “We make over $250,000 a year and I don’t see why we should have to carry those who don’t contribute.” She didn’t know that many of that group pay heavy payroll taxes, that some others are the military, the veterans, the elderly, and oh yes, the poor, who can’t find work or are sick or in jail. She didn’t say anything about the 1%, the elite, who have so many loopholes and subsidies that they virtually end up getting more back from the government than they pay in taxes.
Inspired by Strangers
Ah, the strangers we meet. How they inform us. How they inspire us to take stock of what’s right in the world.
The strangers I’ve met make me wish the elections down south were shorter, less costly, and less confusing. It’s not fair to the American people. The dollars spent could be better used for education, health care, and infrastructures. It’s hard to sort out the truth when so many lies are flying fast and furious. I just hope that reason prevails and the American people vote in the men who will serve their country the best and not their own interests.
The problem is this – the person you really want to be president, the person who would make a great president, doesn’t want the job.
I believe that most of us are driven by self-interest; it’s necessary for survival. The trick is to understand that selfishness and self-interest are completely different things. Selfishness that shows up as hatred of others is especially harmful.
Once one can see beyond selfishness, I think it’s clear that improving the well-being of others is in everyone’s self-interest.
Well said, Cathryn. It’s like that old saying, “can’t see the forest for the trees.”
Diana, I enjoyed reading this post more than I can say. The world around us, the mass of stories caught up in each individual, the sights and the sounds. All these things are what so many people miss out on because they are not prepared to go over their own front porch, not prepared to let a different viewpoint enter their closed minds.
Thank you so much for your lovely comments, Viki. They mean a lot to me. It’s so true what you say. I’ve been guilty of that as well, rushing in my little world and not taking time to really see.
Diana, your story about the man you hugged, who cried on your shoulder brought tears to my eyes. What a powerfully moving moment, and having just spent time with you at the Surrey Writers Conference, I can totally see you reaching out to him in your very special way. You are a gem and I’m so glad I got bask in your warmth! xoxo
Thanks, Karen. I felt the same way about you.
Sweet Diana, I know all to well the ignorance and confusion some have in America regarding politics. But, rather than spend time commenting on that. I will instead acknowledge the man who so deeply touched your heart at the 911 memorial.These are the souls who cross our paths and make are hearts swell. These are the moments that stay with us. I am saddened by his loss. But joyful that your arms reached out to him and he so easily welcomed your comfort. Thank you for joining in the fun at the Thursday Favorite Things hop. Happy weekend wishes xo
You’re welcome. Love your Thursday Favorite Things hop. My only regret is not having the time to visit all the wonderful sites that are listed there. As for ignorance and confusion in America, it doesn’t help that lies and ugly ads dominate the election. For some reason, the knives come out. I guess a lot is at stake. With unprecedented financial contributions to both parties, it’s obvious that there’s a lot of power behind the presidency. I just hope and pray that whoever is elected will do good, will work for the electorate, and treat everyone, regardless of race, religion or class, the same. Tall order, but then again, I’m such an optimist. From what I’ve seen and heard, Obama is the man to hold that middle ground.
Well, not long now before we find out who has won the American elections. I guess it’s important to us in the UK as they do seem to have an direct influence on us.
As for the 9-11 horror, I’m coming to the conclusion that we will never know the real truth behind what actually happened. Every group has their own version of events, but one thing I can say for sure, is that is was ‘man’ (humankind) who committed this act for whatever reason and I don’t believe terrorism is about to go away any day soon. I’m just so glad you gave that man a hug, I think it was a very good call. To think your loved one just went to work and never came home is unbearable.
I’ve heard that New York is a great place to visit and the people of New York are very upfront and bold, the closet thing you can find to a Londoner. Sarcastic, ironic, multicultural, witty – I think you get the gist. Maybe when I get over my deep south American experience I’ll take the plunge and visit New York.
You seemed to have met a very good mix of different people, and I really enjoyed reading your post about it.
Thanks for your thoughts. And yes, New York is a fabulous city to visit. I hope the city is able to get back on its feet soon, given the horrendous clean-up job they have to do post Hurricane Sandy. The people of NY were friendly bar none. I couldn’t believe how each New Yorker took time with my questions. I wasn’t shy about asking for directions etc. and none seemed too harried to help me out. An amazing city. Also, the fact that the city of New York has dedicated extremely valuable commercial property for a 9/11 Memorial to honor those who lost their lives to terrorists is beyond commendable. The sight is so moving. There are thousands and thousands of people who go through the site from early morning to late at night. It’s an unending snake-like procession to remember those who’ve gone. Very moving.
My husband and I were also in London recently. Love London as well. And you’re right, there are similarities between the two cities, in that all manner of people co-exist fairly amiably.
Hoping the next four years bring prosperity for the middle class, help for the down and out, and health care for all. The wars have been a huge drain on American resources. They may have made the gun manufacturers rich, but a lot of innocent lives have been lost. America is a great country, and happy to have you all as my neighbor.