thoughts on america

So after a day of doing nothing, I decided that I was going to quit being a hermit. I got off the phone with Abby and no more than five minutes later I met a few people from Fort Collins, Colorado, where Abby goes to school. Crazy world. It's amazing the kind of people I've met. In breakfast yesterday, in a room no bigger than an average American kitchen, there were around 15 people, all speaking different languages in the hostel. Of the people I spoke with, I met people from France, Germany, Catalon (spain), Ecuador, Chile, Spain, Mexico, Canada, Australia, and Great Britain. Last night a bunch of us played cards and then decided to go to a bar. The majority of the people we were with were speaking Spanish, but most spoke English. I spent a long time talking to a German guy about laws and cultures of our countries. He's from East Germany and said there are a lot of people in small towns that are still pretty neo-Nazi and have strong feelings against Jews. I was able to relate easily with him and my experience of many people from the small towns in the south. Some things will never change.

I've realized that Americans are really hard on themselves. We spend a lot of time blaming ourselves for our media and its influence on young people. Today I went to Montmartre, and passed by the Moulin Rouge and similar sex shops, which solicit customers in the middle of a Sunday. Having spoken with a lot of people, the real critique of American legislature is our attempt to keep our citizens safe from potentially dangerous experiences. At 18 Americans can drive, buy cigarettes, own guns, buy fireworks, die for their country, vote, yet they can't drink? You can buy beers here at fastfood restaurants, and the beer is much cheaper than sodas and bottled water. I have yet to see anyone fall down drunk (although tonight is New Years Eve, it may be different). I think we need to trust the intuition of young people and know that they'll learn how to deal with potentially dangerous things like drinking, sex, and drugs instead of glorifying them to a point where the law attempts to make them untouchable. Anyways, I have more on that topic, but any of my friends most likely agree.

So tonight a bunch of us that are staying at the hostel have decided to go ahead and buy some food and champagne and just have a big party before going down the the Champs-Elysees and Eiffel Tower to watch the fireworks. Too bad the metro closes at 1, I'm not walking home in heels...looks like the Birks will just have to be my party shoes tonight ;)

Meillures Voeux, Bonne Annee!