Watching the Election from Abroad

_{(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)}

Over the past eight years I’ve traveled a lot. I even lived outside the country for a year. For every stamp and sticker in my passport comes the memory of a conversation where I’ve had to utter a “We’re not all like that,” or a “That’s not really how the U.S. is… not where I live.” It’s only fitting that during this past election I was, yet again, away from the country on business. I watched with disbelief, with dear friends, as Barack Obama not only won the election but also redefined, to some extent, the electoral map including, including the very near and dear state of Virginia, whose historic divide from my now home state of Maryland and the union still haunts the entire region.

I did not sleep at all the entire night and the joy of the moment propelled me through the next day. Not only had the US elected its first minority president, but a man of peace, eloquence and intellect.

I found myself, throughout the day tearing up. I never quite realized home heavily the weight of the Bush years’ fear mongering, cruelty, deceit, incompetence and vehement anti-intellectualism pressed down every aspect of my life until now. And though I know I’m bound to be disappointed as President Obama makes decisions that move him from the iconic ideal to a compromised reality, I can’t help but feel a great curse has been lifted.

In the taxi on the way to the airport, a familiar conversation began. “You’re from America?” the driver asked.

“Yes.” I said.

A silence followed.

In the place where the driver usually begins to gently chide me about the war, torture, and being stupid and in the place where I try to apologize and say, “We’re not all like that,” was a wonderful quiet.

As I looked through the fog and darkness of the Scandinavian morning I finally spoke, “Yes, and I’m ready to come home.”