Barack Obama's Inauguration 2009

This is my first post that I am writing from Asia on this trip. Last night Tamar and I stayed up late, fully absorbed by the TV coverage of the inauguration of the first African-American president of the USA. These two firsts coincided to remind us of another, that of the very first time we traveled to Asia in September 2001.

Seven years ago we were on a beautiful island in Thailand, Koh Lanta. This predominantly Muslim inhabited island of fishing, beautiful beaches and scenic, green interior hills was our first experience with paradise in Asia. Having arrived directly from Israel, in the time of the second Intifada, we had traveled far to find peace and seclusion and managed to escape the demonstrations, bombs, killing and news coverage for a full week. But that escape ended on the night of September 11 (Thai time zone) when it was announced by one of the locals that “a plane hit a building in NY” and Tamar and I watched the twin towers fall on satellite TV, beamed live to the island. In the wake of those terrible events I remember feeling both proud and helpless at the same time. I felt helpless because I couldn’t have been farther from American life at that time. However, like other Americans, I felt proud of the way that citizens and heroes responded to crisis back home and proud of the American instinct to coalesce in search of unity despite inherent diversity.

So, now I’m writing from Koh Chang, another idyllic corner of the earth and after watching the day’s events on TV I’m again filled with pride even though I’m far from home. I’m proud of the American system of government and proud to have voted. I’m proud to be a member of a generation to witness such a major step forward for the country. The feeling of helplessness has now been replaced by an imperative of participation and a sense of empowerment. That only eight years ago I never expected to see America under the leadership and inspiration of a black president is reason enough to give me hope for the next eight years.

It is during President Obama’s first term in office that Tamar will be allowed to apply for US citizenship. She is patient and her patience is to be rewarded. I’m very proud that this is the America that she can now be a part of should she choose to accept, in the words of our president, “the price and promise of citizenship”. In the meantime, as we continue to travel together, we’re proud to see the rest of the world celebrating along with us and it’s so good to be on the road again!

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