As most long-time readers know, I’m 12 time zones away from my home state of California … that’s exactly halfway around the globe … so I was well into Wednesday when election results started coming in. I caught a few of the early ones on CNN before leaving for the long haul to town in my daily trek taking the kids to school, and was sorry to leave the TV.
By the time I arrived, I’d had text messages updating me, and those set me on a search for a functioning television, but seeing that it was not yet 9am, that was fruitless. I tried the British High Commission, but being British and all no TV was to be found. I then hit the American Consular Office, but Travis, the guy who mans the place was not yet in.
A bit more wandering managed to kill off an hour, so we popped into the Pirate’s Arms … a local hangout, for a cup of tea, and … lo and behold … were greeted by President Elect Obama delivering his speech on the 5′ plasma screen!
Wow. The crowd! The speech! The tears! The smiles! I did the happy dance right then and there.
Throughout the rest of the day, as we spent the whole of it in Victoria, I had people stopping me every few yards to congratulate me … I’m fairly well known here, you see … all of whom were almost as happy as I am with the outcome.
Even on this remote island in this far-flung country the population is taking hope from this amazing and historic turn of events, and are now looking toward America for the sort of leadership … albeit not until the 20th of January … to begin to lead us all out of the mess 8 years of living under the idiot bush has created.
Although I carry two passports, today I am SO proud to be an American … and after living abroad for so many years I have to admit that it’s been quite a while since I’ve felt right in holding my head up high and shouting my roots to the rooftops.
We really aren’t as stupid as we’ve been looking, and the rest of the world is heaving a sigh of relief over that.
A collection of my short stories:
I'm in this one, too ...
And I'm in here, as well ...
Paradise Preoccupied 
Amen!
For the first time in about 8 years, I’m not afraid of my government.
Well, I’m a little cautious about what the man in there right now will do with the last 100 days of his tenure. He’s a vindictive sort, after all, and I can see him doing things to make it hard for the new crew coming in.
My sister voted the other way, and is now convinced the USA is about to turn socialist. *Sigh* There’s no arguing with her, so I won’t even try.
I can feel the rise and fall of the collective sigh of relief of the planet. I think I’ll be taking refreshing sighs for a while. His speech felt like the speech of a leader, of optimism and hope which is such a contrast to the politics of fear that we have been fed for the past 8 years. Obama has called us to help, giving us the roll of citizens rather than shoppers during this difficult time. Thank you, America!
It’s great to know the USA is looking better overseas. I hope the future brings the brightness yesterday’s election results promise………………..:)
On the other side of the world, I was doing the happy dance too!!
I just found out that Obama went to Seychelles earlier this year, with his wife. Did he meet up with some of the Americans there?