Elections

It was a great feeling to fill out my absentee ballot, knowing that it would get there, be counted, and help my voice be heard....even from Cambodia. Explaining to my host family and friends that I could actually vote via mail and no one would destroy my ballot or change it was interesting. Elections here went more smoothly this past July in the past, but there were still glitches with opposition party candidates being left of ballots, assisnations...."normal" stuff for here. There have been several editorials in the newspapers here comparing the relative ease of U.S. elections compared to here...interesting to read.

I was also surprised by how much some of my friends and coworkers actually knew about the U.S. elections. I was watching a debate at home (my host family got cable!) when a cousin came over and started telling me all about Obama's and McCain's policies and why he liked Obama better. My co teachers also had their opinions about it. If the election had been left to Cambodians, Obama would have won by a landslide....left up to Americans, he still did! Sophal was excited "his man" won and there were small celebrations all over town. It's one thing to hear about the international impact of the U.S. election and another thing entirely to see and talk to people in a developing country that are depending on change as much as Americans are.

I was proud to be an American that day.....proud to know that I was particiapting in something that so many people around the world can only dream of....speaking my voice, choosing a leader, and transitioning peacefully.