Day 119

Election day. Quite an interesting experience observing the hype from another continent. The gym is definitely the local hotspot for people to ask me about U.S. politics. The TV screens all around the gym were featuring election coverage, even before most Americans were awake. Everyone here seems to have an opinion, even if they're only supporting Obama because he's "black". It's really interesting though what people have to say about our politics, especially since South African politics are really messed up. The think the democratic party is the obvious choice and that all republicans are stupid. I might slightly agree with that, but there is a lot more behind the scenes about how the two party system works and the good points the republican party does make. They also don't understand the system of checks and balances. I was trying to explain to someone how the President can't do whatever he wants because Congress has to sign off on it, so even though the Democrats are in office doesn't mean everything will be dictated as so.
I ran on the treadmill today watching the coverage of Barak and Michelle greeting crowds and Mr and Mrs Romney walking through their parade of reds, very tempted to throw my hands in the air and cheer, but I didn't.
People here are very interested in asking how we, as Americans plan to vote. First of all they don't see that as a personal discussion that is generally not publicly discussed, but South African's have little shame in general so it's not surprising they don't understand the cultural difference. But every time I say I support Obama, I get a very positive reaction. My favorite though was when someone asked me who I was voting for in the U.S. election, I said Obama, and then he asked me if I was from Canada. Someone missed their basic geography lesson. Actually I get asked if I'm Canadian a lot. Apparently it's because of the accent. Go figure.

It's a little after 7:30 PM, and I always know when it's 7 because I hear the Muslim prayer a couple blocks over. Don't get much of that in Edina.