Hello American !

In the weeks since I returned from America, I have been a bit in the doldrums and very discouraged about my life in Slovenia. This is a tough place to be a foreigner and particularly tough for a former New Yorker, who just spent a three-week vacation having a fabulous time in New York.

Today as I walked down the fair streets of Wheelville in the same spot where I met my best friend over two years ago, I saw two men rolling down the street -- one on a bike and one on a skateboard -- and I called out to the skateboarder, "Where are you from?" He immediately hopped off and told me he was from Germany and told me he was here working on a solar plane project but was, alas, leaving tomorrow. I told him I was from America and was married to a Slovenian. He told me that the head of the plane project was the man who'd sped off on the bike, Eric Raymond, and as he hopped onto his skateboard in pursuit of Mr. Raymond he instructed me to Google "solar plane" and I'd find out everything. I bid this friendly German "Schuss" and walked home. As I neared my house, I saw Mr. Raymond and yelled out "Hello American!" but he kept right on riding. I must say I've had little success with Americans in Europe, but I don't mind. They are forgiven.

So, unperturbed, I followed the friendly German's instructions and discovered the link to this fascinating project where these adventurous Americans are putting together planes that run on solar power. It is happening right here in my neighborhood in Radovljica, and I never even knew. That is somewhat encouraging, and I hope there are more things like this for me to discover, more things like this to ease my discouragement and frustration away...

Read about another blogger's visit to the Solar Flight workshop here)

Greetings from the American South

Wondering where I been? Well, here's a clue:

All Quiet on the Whelville Front

Mariachi setting in Ljubljana

Sorry I haven't been posting much. There really just hasn't been a heck of a lot going on. Or maybe I haven't been thinking much about the things that have been going on.

I've been working a little and putting more time into driving since I STILL am shaky on the whole enterprise. These days, I am actually eager for my lessons (The Captain has now taken the helm as my instructor), and I can see my goals coming slowly but surely into view. This time, I am gonna stick with it until I get there.

I recently had a new (but good) friend come to visit me from Berlin and it got me thinking about a lot of things. We had a lot of good and interesting (and sometimes hilarious!) chats and we really just connected. One day, we were in a cafe and a couple in hilariously awful outfits strolled up, and she and I just looked at each other and started cracking up laughing. It was wonderful. I don't have that connection with any of my friends here. That's the good stuff, the stuff that I hope will come in time....

Since my friend and I are both Americans who are living the expat life at the moment, talks and thoughts did tend to focus on that. While some expats are here in Europe with a definite expiration date, a clear feeling that they want to live in America, yearly trips back home. I don't have that feeling, I don't have that urge. I even mentioned to my friend that I think that when I have kids, I'd like to send them to Ghana on a regular basis so they can learn the language and be familiar with family and culture. She asked how it would work being "tricultural" and I told her that I think I'd just cut the American part out a bit; meaning I probably just wouldn't be taking them or sending them to America much. I was trying to think about why. Am I denying some part of myself? Am I harboring some sort of chauvinistic animosity towards the US? I don't think it is any of that. I think I am fairhanded toward the country, it has definite plusses and minuses as any other. It's definitely a neat place, it's the country with places that I know best. It's the country where , when I speak, I am best understood. I will always be plenty American and pass that along to any kids I might have, since that is what I am and the only thing I can honestly bring to the table culture-wise. I guess there is some idea that I could equip any children I might have with things that would help them combat that Non-Belonging feeling that I've grappled with so much. Maybe Non-Belonging is sometimes just part of the human condition?

I haven't formed any one real coherent thought to express what I am thinking, what might be the reason, but here are a couple thoughts:

One idea surrounds around the fact that, as a black person, I kinda feel more or less uncomfortable everywhere.

I miss my family and friends, but they are not necessarily centrally-located in one American city or anything.

I do miss shopping and cultural events and bookstores and certain foods, but I am unsure whether that all is worth building a life around.

There is also the fact, that I don't think I was very successful at America. I am not sitting on top of the world here in Slovenia, but I think I am doing considerably better.

So, I don't know what the truth of the matter is -- probably a little from column A and a little from column B. Do you have similar or divergent thoughts about your expat experience? Hey Mom!! You are an expat, any thoughts? Do share!

Happy Independence Day- Amurrkah

Happy Independence Day to all my American readers. Be careful with those fireworks, now!

A Visit to Swimming Cities

This afternoon we finally went to Ankaran to visit our friends from Swimming Cities of Serenissima. Here are some pictures!

If you want to see them before they go, you have until 10th May.

Two Other Updates

Update#1
For those of you who read this post with interest, I just wanted to let you know that I succeeded in finding not only one great black girlfriend but TWO. They both have quite different backgrounds from me, but we can come together over the experiences we've had living here, our general experiences in the world, and our mutual love of life! I am so grateful for these special new friends.

Update #2
Thanks to any and all who lent any support to the intrepid young artists of Swimming Seas of Serinissima, they report that they have found housing and are now beginning to build their boat at the marina in Akaran. More info here.

Breathe

Happy "I Hope I Can Finally Exhale and Stop Being So Embarrassed of America" Day!

WOW WOW WOW

WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW









WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW

Fingers Crossed!

Today on this day of the American election, I sit here with my fingers crossed tightly for Obama to pull through.

This song is dedicated to today.

Whew! Got It!

Received and returned yesterday!
Done and done.

Punching In

Dear Other American Expats/Travellers Around Le Monde,

How many of you have already received your absentee ballot?

I am still waiting.

When should I start to worry?

Yours Truly,
Brainy, Bigmouthed, Black, and For Barack!...By The Balkans

New Theme Song?

Pharrell, Lupe, and Q-Tip urging black people to get passports and see the world? Sounds good to me!


Paris Tokyo - Lupe feat. Q-Tip and Pharrell

Thank you America!

I just wanted to take a moment and thank all the people who made our vacation great-- from all the captains who flew our planes to all the friends who hosted us. We really appreciate the kindness and the homes and beds of Richard and Alia and Emma and Christina and big shout out to my mom! I appreciate all the good friends that had dinner with us, made time to come out and hang with us, even those who only had a few seconds to spare. Thanks to all the people who bared with me as I slightly shakily drove up and down the highways of California, and to those who gave us directions when the GPS didn't make any sense. Thanks to those people who moved out of the way when we were taking one of our ten billion photos. I thank the park service people and guides and maintenance workers who help keep New York and California's public spaces so beautiful and nice to photograph. Most of all, I thank The Captain for being such a wonderful travel buddy, this was one of the best holidays of my life.

We'll be back!

OK, here are pictures...

Profundity

The Captain in California- September 2008

"There is some serious path dependence in nonconformism. First it's because you want to, then it's because you wouldn't know how not to."
- Stolen from my dear friend Sumana


The Captain helping me ship the last of my stuff to Slovenia - September 2008

The Water's Fine

I can't believe I am STILL on vacation. Whew! It has been a long stretch and we are winding down. Here are a few shots from the last few weeks.