My fascination with America

I have been fascinated with America for the last 14 years. I had been interested in the history of the United States before this — indeed I had studied the history of the US in the first half of the 2oth century — but my fascination with the country became greater after living with a couple of atypical Americans for a year.

Since going to University I have found it easy to become friends with Americans, and shared interests in long distance running with a couple — Geoff Kuffner and Joel are the names I remember from University. Geoff was a long distance runner and ran 2 hours 40ish at the London Marathon in 1993; Joel was a 100 metre sprinter, but was more interested in singing — he did a good Mack the Knife.

America is a land of extremes from the bitter cold winters on the East Coast, to the perennial warmth and sunshine of Florida. The freedom of jazz music and the creativity of the Beat Generation; to the limitations on personal expressions by the Government. The welcoming attitude of many of its citizens, versus the attitude of the Immigration officials. (Ve don’t want you here without a visa.)

This dichotomy helps explain America’s fascination.