Poltics Abroad

My professor from Drake asked about how they were covering politics over here, so I did some more research and here is what I discovered.

Europeans love Obama. No matter what city or country I am in, Obama´s face is somewhere near by. Oktoberfest, I ran into the Obama supports and here in Spain the apartment we stayed in had a sign on the door for supporting Obama. My professors, when asking us about the election or our views always end it with, "We really like Obama."

And for a while I thought Europeans followed US politics, the way I follow foreign news. That is just not the case. The more I speak to people the more I realize Europeans are probably more educated voters on US politics than most Americans. I didn´t really understand why until my friend told me about a conversation she had with her graphic design professor, an Italian. She asked if he was following the election and he responded, with a face of shock. Then he said so simply, "Of course I do. What happens in the US affects the rest of us." I think I did know that, but I just had no idea it was to that extent.

While, I cannot read any of the Italian publications, I often see the newspapers in Italy--especially the National one, has US politicians on it. Munich, the paper was full of US politics and in Spain the local paper also had election news.

The International Tribune--is the New York Time´s international publications and it has a lot of world news, but of course had a huge story about US elections, especially it being so close to the elections. 

Even one the local nightly news in Italy US politics is a headlining story. And all the magazines we get at home--even the fashion ones are published in Italian and have had US politicians on them. 

That is what I have been observing, but it is much more optional that an home, I was not bombarded by advertisements or commercials... obviously. But if you wanted, it is very easy to keep up with US politics here in Italy. 

So, despite the fact that I am an ocean away from the election at home, I am still getting my fill on U.S. politics. Tomorrow night I am going to an election viewing party, where they will have coverage of the election from 6pm until 4am. I don't know if I will stay for the whole thing, but I will be there for a while watching the developments. I will let everyone know if it is very exciting. 

A little Munich and a lot of Amalfi Coast

If you couldn't tell by my photos, I really loved Munich. It was a fantastic city and I am glad we took time to explore beyond the Oktoberfest tents, it is so much more than that. I couldn't believe how technology-driven the city was. They had motion censored everything, even escalators--which could switch directions depending on which way someone got on! It was the perfect mix holding on to history through statues and buildings and new innovative places--including the best and easiest subway ever. 

But to get caught up, I spent this weekend in the Amalfi Coast. It was really fantastic. It just made me realize for the thousandth time how I am living in a fairy tale. Sitting on the beach of the Mediterranean, visiting Naples, Capri, Amalfi and Pompeii I couldn't believe I was there. Although it was a test of my motion sickness endurance. We were on a bus through the mountains for hours--numerous times and LOTS of boats. And not all of the boats were big. One was a little speed boat in the water, where we were tossed around. My professor even asked if I was okay, because I looked green. I thought for sure the weekend would be full of me being sick, but I as very lucky and never became sick. It was completely worth it, because I have never seen such beautiful places. 

I will write more specifics with the pictures I post, it is better when I describe things with the photos, I feel like it is a more interesting and easy to understand story. So I will hopefully be posting those in a day or two. But just check back for the photos, they are gorgeous! 

Munich

Here are my photos from Oktoberfest and Munich. Click on the title to go to my album. It is getting close to mid-terms so I haven't had time to give a full update of the trip, but I figure pictures are a start! 

Enjoy. 

I am going to the Amalfi coast this weekend, so I will put up some good pictures next week too!

Cinque Terre

Here is a link to my photos from this past weekend in Cinque Terre. I hope this is a better host for photos, let me know if it works better than the other site.

Click on the title "Cinque Terre" to view the album. 

I am headed to Munich for Oktoberfest this weekend, so hopefully there will be some great stories to relay back!

Have a great weekend.