I was lucky enough to spend five weeks in the United States last summer, my first proper visit (having previously spent a week skiing in Colorado). I travelled from Maine to Alabama, and experienced a range of cultures and activities. I have always been something of an Americaphile, but I had a wonderful time, enjoying myself far more than even I thought I would. Today is Independence Day, and to mark the occasion I have drawn up this list:
1. Food: from Philly Cheese steaks to fried dough, from massive burgers and bacon with maple syrup, American food does not enjoy the same sophisticated support as connoisseurs of, say, French cuisine. For me, that is part of the appeal. Call me uncultured, but American food is top notch. In any case, critics often choose to ignore the fact that not only has the US welcomed a vast range of international styles. And regional food also refutes the suggestion that American food is all fast food – from New England’s seafood to Louisiana’s Cajun focus, the United States are all gastronomic pleasures. Oh, and the portion sizes are epic.
2. Sports: often derided as boring, hours-long advertising opportunities, American sports do not always receive great support abroad. The success of London’s hosting of NFL matches has done much to quell this criticism, but in any case Americans don’t care, as evidenced by their crowning of their winners as ‘world champions’ (and baseball’s final being dubbed the ‘World Series’). There is great support for professional teams, but college and high school sports are also watched by phenomenal numbers – the third biggest sports stadium in the world is home of the University of Michigan (American) football team, which has a capacity of 110,000. I thoroughly enjoyed my trips to the wonderful Fenway Park (above), home of MLB’s Boston Red Sox, and the Baltimore Ravens’ fixture against the Carolina Panthers exuded an electric atmosphere for a pre-season NFL match.
3. Boston: What a great city – friendly, historic, compact; everything that Lonely Planet loves. I stayed with friends who lived in Belmont, in the Boston metropolitan area, and I really felt like Boston was a home away from home in the USA, for example while I was visiting the Deep South. And Fenway Park, for a sports fan, is just magic.
4. American pride: With seemingly every other house proudly hoisting the Star Spangled Banner, the comparisons with British deference are clear. Perhaps the relative lack of British flag-flying is appealing to many, but I for one admire those who take pride in their country and the values upon which it is founded. For a stirring example of this pride, take a look at
this rendition of the national anthem , sung during the first Gulf War in 1991.
5. Hospitality: I encountered such warmth that it was impossible not to be charmed by the American people. From the hotdog seller in Birmingham, Alabama, who appeared fascinated by my being (according to him) the first Welsh person to enter his shop (right) to the family at an NFL match in Atlanta who engaged me in conversation throughout the match; from a pupil of a family friend who took me into her house, made dinner and took me to the cinema along with other classmates to the man who chatted incessantly on the bus from Montgomery, AL to Atlanta, I was struck by the contrast between Americans and the British, who – to our detriment – would not dare strike up conversation with a stranger, let alone a foreigner.
For all its faults – and they are so often and too often documented – the United States of America remains a true friend of the United Kingdom, and our people will forever be close. I am proud to be British, but today I am delighted to wish all Americans a very happy Independence Day.
