It was suggested recently by a few Kossacks that I write regarding my time here in the U.K. and some of the interesting exchanges I've had with some citizens here regarding our upcoming Presidential election.
As I'm flying back to the States tomorrow for a visit I thought "Why not today?".
I'll be traveling back and forth to the U.K. for the next few years. Absolutely adoring the country, its people. Truly charming.
The Brits are also very watchful of this election. Very.
The first night of this visit to the U.K. my hubby and I went to my favorite pub in Cockermouth, The Tithe Barn.
The Tithe Barn always has a nice mix of people, blue-collar, white-collar, with a great menu and fabulous owners.
My husband and I were enjoying our meal in the Pub area and had, through the course of the evening, struck up a conversation with a few tables next to us. After a few pints by some, a few glasses of wine by others, a lull in the conversation occurred and one of the men looked at me and asked me "What do you think is going to happen in your election?"
Now, please understand that I never initiate a conversation regarding politics with local people and try to stay reasonable in my responses..so...
I stated that it was still a close race and that I did not think that either party was comfortable right now. His comment back to me was:
"God help us if you vote that fool McCain in. We don't want more Bush."
There was general agreement by those at his table..though I just raised my glass of wine with a small tip to the fellow and took a sip.
I didn't think too much of the exchange until a few days later. I had traveled down to Bournemouth during the Liberal Democrats Conference (they call them Conferences here..not Conventions). We were on the train on the way back to Cumbria and the Lake District.
By the way...the Brits complain about their rail service, but it rocks. Its soooo far and away better than anything we have in the States and they are working to improve it constantly. Love it, love it..love it.
We were settled into our First Class car when one of the last passengers came in.."The Ugly American" personified. She was loud, she was intrusive, she complained about the service, she wanted the porter to bring her "just a bite" of each of the entree offerings so that she could make a selection. A sip of this..a sip of that. I truly felt sorry for the woman seated across from her.
By the time we arrived at the station where we would be changing trains this woman had managed to make everyone uncomfortable with her exclamations regarding what towns she hated, the funny food, blah, blah, blah. I found myself totally embarrassed for my country.
My husband had retrived our bags and we were standing by the door as the train came into the station. The "Ugly American" was sitting in a seat close to the door with several other individuals standing around the area. I asked my husband how much time we had to our connection and a woman asked me "Are you from the States?". She then asked me..out of the blue...
"Are you going to elect Obama for us?"
There were several "Here, here's", I glanced over to where the Ugly American had raised her head (just like I imagine Palin sees Putin over Alaska's horizon :)), realized instantly who she was supporting, and said:
"Yes, I believe we will. The vast majority of us want something better and I think we're going to get this done"
The Ugly American looked truly ugly in anger but the doors opened with perfect timing and there were smiles all around as we stepped from the train.
A few days later I was working in my office here with the television on CNN International in the living room.
U.S. political coverage was on and I walked in to the other room to see what was playing. My housekeeper was dusting as I entered the room and say Sarah Palin on the screen. The housekeeper asked me if I was supporting anyone in our elections. I replied "Yes..Obama".
She then waved her dust cloth and said:
"Well that makes me happy because she (pointing towards Palin's image on the screen) doesn't care about the likes of me or mine. She talks, but I don't trust her. No one does."
There have been other instances of people bringing up our elections, always spontaneous and ALWAYS hoping for Obama.
This isn't a "class" thing because my husband and I are firmly in what is considered the upper class here and the comments have come from across the spectrum. What has surprised me is that they come from a relatively reserved people who are obviously truly hoping for change. Not only for the U.S., but for the world. Its something rather wonderful to see and hear.
Something else you won't see in the U.S.. Tens of Thousands of Liverpool fans singing their song "You'll Never Walk Alone". So glad I got to see this in person. Turned me into a fan myself.