I neglected to mention in my last post that I would be starting fall break last Friday. The break is a week long during which I am spending time in the western English countryside (west midlands) near the city of Wolverhampton and then in Edinburgh, Scotland. I am here in the countryside now with family friends and it's been a pleasant experience so far. I'm getting a feel for how a British family truly lives outside the glitz of London.
The most enriching aspect of my weekend so far has been the enthralling conversations I have with Roger, the head of the household here. We compare American and British politics and culture. There is a strong support for Barack Obama here in the remote farmlands of England. As I noticed in London too, there is a fascination with the current election and the way Americans vote. Topics like the validity of the electoral college, the mix of religion and politics and racism in America come up frequently in table conversation. These topics are not important elements in British politics so they are seen with awe among people here. They want to know why Americans voted for George W. Bush, why Sarah Palin was deemed a good vice presidential candidate for John McCain and why Obama is openly accused of being socialist or a radical Muslim. Needless to say, many Brits are liberal by American standards. It's good to add to the discussion with the knowledge I gained from my recent course in British politics. Hopefully, I can paint Americans in a good light and explain that we have good intentions despite our questionable political choices.
I am using the family's computer right now and I can't be on too long because it's late. I will drop in during my vacation from internet cafes and the such to post updates. On Monday, I will make my way to Edinburgh and hopefully catch a tour to Loch Ness and see if I can spot that pesky monster.
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