An American Kind of Day

Yesterday was Rwandan Liberation Day, Filipino-American Friendship Day, and the Feast Day for Oda of Canterbury (I've been there, but not with Oda). It was also American Independence Day (or as referred to by some here, "America Day"). Now it has been suggested by some that I am not the most patriotic person in the world (I would agree with this observation). However, being far from home and feeling slightly guilty for not really missing America a great deal (or a small deal) I took it upon myself to do something American on July 4th to celebrate my American-ness. It took me a while to think of something that 1) I would enjoy 2) would not stick out terribly 3) would not reinforce any negative stereotypes (there are plenty of tourists/travelers/and expats already filling that department) and 4) was American. You see my dilemma.

After a while I decided since it was hot I would walk to the local McDonalds (from sea to shining sea) and try to obtain some sweet tea - now that is American. But my gastronomic desires were dissapointed, this is London and sweet tea is not served at McDonalds - neither is iced coffee for that matter. Seeing nothing else on the menu I could enjoy in good conscience I put my ipod ear-bud back into place and dejectedly continued into town. I decided to listen to Dave Matthews, because that's pretty American, right (South African actually)? I bought groceries and found myself an iced coffee at the Camden Coffee shop - not American, but the cup was biodegradable - good trade off? I got home and got hungry so I made myself a quesadilla (only American if said in a Texan accent). I thought maybe I could watch an American-ish movie, but my recent purchases were Eternal Sunshine (leads: a Canadian and Brit) and Constant Gardener (Brits in Kenya) - no luck.

I felt I had failed my duty to my country. Maybe I didn't even know how to be American.

But then (cue patriotic string quartet) I realized - my day had been American.

I mean, look at me - I'm a German/Swedish/Italian/French-Canadian/English/Scotch-Irish/Lithuanian-Jew/Mohawk-American so what could represent my eclectic heritage more than spending a day listening to a South-African sing Louisiana-inspired songs while cooking Mexican food and drinking a Swedish beer before meeting my Scottish friend for dinner in England?

Oh, then I got two free beers for having a US passport.

Happy belated birthday America.