Croatian Ramblings

I was blessed to spend almost 2 weeks in Croatia, over 5 of those days on shore.  During those days, I spent time coming and going from 4 different hostels, and was fortunately enough to talk with the owners of 2 of these hostels in depth.

I continue to be very humbled every time I step out of my American bubble.  My brief time interacting with non-Americans on shore in Croatia re-emphasized lessons I had learned from studying abroad years ago.

1. Texans enjoy a very good reputation around the world.  I love my state.  And foreigners love cowboys.  I should pack my boots next time just to win brownie points. 
2. The eyes of the world are on America.  Our country's whims often affect their daily lives.
• My host in Zadar watches enough American news that she knew Chicago and New York got a lot of snow this year.
• The teenage Brits I met in Split knew enough about the American tax and health care system to have a really good debate about the pros and cons of our two systems.  Our health care advances drive the standard of care in the rest of the world.
• The two Swedes I sat next to on the plane from Croatia knew more history about America than I did . . .  why do the Swedes care about our Civil War??  I know nothing about their history.
• Did you know Real Housewives and the Real World make it abroad?  Think of that if you ever consider what the rest of the world thinks about us.
• Our presidential elections are all over the news here.  We may elect Donald Trump.  *sigh*   . . . Americans elect our presidents based on how we feel about taxes, education, gay rights, and a dozen other domestic issues that affect our lives as Americans.  But as soon as you step into another country, you realize who we're really electing is is the person who will change millions and millions of lives around the world. Who has foreign policy on their list of qualifications for a president?   I do. 
3. Americans are very isolated.  This is a luxury most of Americans don't appreciate and most foreigners don't understand.
• How many times in the last year have you checked up on elections for another country - even our next door neighbors?  I am embarrassed to say I don't know who the president of Mexico is or the Prime Minister of Canada.  It just doesn't affect me.
• How many time in the last month have you personally been affected by policies made by another country?  In Europe, this would be counted in hours.
• Everybody speaks English for us.  How many languages do you speak?  I rarely feel so stupid as when I meet one of many Europeans who speak 3 languages fluently and know more about my country than I do.  
4. Americans have the good life
• Everywhere I travel, Americans are known to be wealthy.  Even if you don't feel wealthy . . .  I'm betting you took a vacation last year.  I bet you haven't worried about how your going to feed your children.  We are very fortunate.
• My host in Split mentioned that the country of Croatia will enjoy a >50% unemployment rate after the tourists leave in September.
• My host in Zadar told me the last few years are much improved because she can now count on getting her paycheck after her weeks of hard work at the office.
• A fellow traveler in Dubrovnik didn't know how he was going to get home because they've shut down the border to Hungary, where he was supposed to fly out of.  One of many things Americans don't have to worry about every day . . .
5. The American Dream is alive and well.  
•  Both hosts in Croatia talked about this - They each knew one person who had moved there a generation ago and talked about this person like they made it to the promised land.  Our country is like a mystical destination. 
• Americans don't have to be resigned to remain in the social or economic class we are born into.  It is not until you see the rest of the world that you realize just how rare that is.

I left Croatia feeling thoroughly vacationed and grateful to be born in the country and the century I was.  As Buffet would say . . . I've won the ovarian lottery.