A Perspective of America

One of the beauty of this co-blogging business is that KY and I both live as outsiders in the most cutting edge and outward-looking metropolis on the edge of our respective continental-size countries. In observing the preoccupations of the day in our nooks, I think we can better illustrate the present realitiesof the two most powerful nations in the world.


Over one late September weekend, our family holidayed at Lake George. Lake George is a rather large lake in upstate New York, most of which is ringed by the southern reaches of the Adirondack Mountains. It reminds me of the Lake District in Lancashire although both the lakes and the mountains are somewhat larger. Around the lake are dotted with small towns, motels, resorts and hundreds of beautiful vacation homes of the American elite.


The more I observe America, the more I can understand those Amercians who believe unquestioningly in the American exceptionalism. This is a land of unimaginable plenty in the material sense, but it is also a place where common decency and civilized behavior still prevail. It is very easy for Americans to forget about the troubles of the world simply because life is kind and they have it so good.


The drive from New York to Lake George took 4 hours. We drove through endless miles of green wooded hills and pristine streams, punctuated by a small town here and there. From the open highway, one sees nature and nothing else for hours on end. There is so much space about, unoccupied, uncultivated left to the golden sunshine and to nature. The weather was such that those hills were beginning to be dotted haphazardly with dashed of the colours of autumn: red, orange, gold and amber.

When we got there, the fresh water in the lake is crystal clear. It is hard to image waves lapping about without the smell of the sea - in fact, no smell at all - but thats Lake George. And as I found kayaking up and down the coast, not a spot of garbage washed up on the shore or debris floating about, not even streaks of oil even though power boats were cruising about. Space, woods, fresh air, clean water and pleasant weather: Americans are right to think of themselves as blessed.


Out there in the rural communities, the infrastructure was clean, well-maintained and tended with pride by the local community. The people are unfailingly good-natured, law abiding and polite. In the small towns, the civic and community infrastructure very much in evident: the local library, the village notice board, the volunteer fire service, the local police (sitting by himself with a newspaper in the cafe), the flags that bedecks the homes and on the streets, the banners and decorations for halloween, the signs of the local Rotary and Lions Club and the multitude of local churches. It is like a modern day reincarnation of a Norman Rockwell print. I had the sensed that, here people still uncynically live the healthy and wholesome life. I notice that from the way parents behave with their the small children - so relaxed and so much trust in other people - this seems to be a place where one can grow up believing that the world is safe, that the living will be comfortable and life will always turn out for the better.

Life is easy too. Too easy and clogged up with stuff, stuff and more stuff. As i paddled pass the summer homes, it is easy to see 5000 sq ft homes with 4 car garages and a dock complete with a boatshed for 2 boats, 2 jet skis and numerous kayaks. In the front patios, are hot tubs and all kinds of toys. You go into the local supermarket and it is clogged with consumer excess - everything that can be made, sold and then disposed off.

Closer to home, some weeks ago, a friend of Marisa (our Philipino helper) launched a collection within her neighbourhood in Park Slope, Brooklyn for second hand clothing in aid of victims of the recent hurricane in Haiti. All it took was passing the word among fellow parents of her son's soccer team, and within days they had a whole living room 2 feet deep full of clothing. Many of them are branded and brand new. They had so much stuff that they decided to send some off for typhoon victims in the Philiipines as well. Marisa also picked up some clothes for the girls - raincoats, winter stuff, brand new shoes, jeans etc. - we ended up not having to buy any more new clothes for them for the year! This is no means a one-off. In fact, occasionally there are gathering around town where people simply leave their excess clothing - often perfectly good stuff - for others to just pick up for free. We are astounded by the world of abundance that we live in; but also bemoan the excess of it all.

I was beginning to understand why Americans are not interested in the rest of the world - its simply the sense that for all the world's troubles none of that concern them because they just seem so abstract so far away. I can also understand why for so many Americans, who never seen another modern country apart from their own, would assume that America is No.1 at everything and somehow that everyone, if given a chance, wants to be like them.

The trouble is the world is not all like that or it would simply be a good thing if all can be like that. If the whole world try to live like Americans by aping the lifestyle, the world would collapse simply because it is so wasteful that it should be seen as an abberation in human history. It would be equally mistaken for America to export their template as it isfor others to replicate their template. Make no mistake, everyone can live as well but everyone must find their own best ways to do so. Tempting as it is to copy, simply not many places in the world has the "basic conditions" to do as they do - no one has the wide spaces and resources nor at the moment: the institutions, education level and human-societal development to replicate such a lifestyle.

But what we can do is to learn from that American sense of optimism and courage to assume that things can always be better and to assume personal responsibility for making that difference in the world. Since the first time I visited America in 1992, I have always been a fan of the prevailing decency, open attitude to others and the fact that people take personal responsbility to make a positive difference to their community, that one finds in America. I am pleased to see that pretty much intact even in the metropolis of New York; where my days are often brightened by such encounters.

To celebrate those moments, I intend to begin a series of postings of "Moments from my Metropolis"soon.