How Barack Obama Just Might Improve Your Vacation

I’ve lived in Greece since 2004 and have watched foreign contempt for George W. Bush reach epic proportions. As an American (albeit one of Greek descent), I’ve repeatedly faced angry cross-examinations about Bush’s foreign policy and the war in Iraq. But since the 2008 presidential race started making international headlines a couple of months ago, including here in Greece, I’ve noticed those angry interrogations are increasingly being replaced with enthusiastic pronouncements about how much the Greeks I encounter love Barack Obama. It’s a startling shift. Could it be a sign that more American travelers will be greeted with warmer welcomes around the globe in 2008? I sure hope so. 

For as long as I can remember, American travelers have been called upon to explain our government’s policies, especially in places where years of heavy-handed U.S. intervention are still remembered (like Greece). Since the 2003 invasion of Iraq, things have gotten worse.

This election year promises at least the veneer of a clean slate, and boy do we need it. Many of us are openly acknowledging that our stature in the world has slipped dramatically.

Before I get all woozy with optimism, however, let me also make a suggestion. Many people in the rest of the world know American politics as well as they know their own. But would most Americans be familiar with, say, Nicolas Sarkozy if he wasn’t snogging a supermodel? Each country has its own fascinating politics, and if you know enough to ask questions about it during your travels—at least in places where they won’t arrest you for such curiosity—you can dive into the most fascinating conversations. Even in a low-radar country like Greece there’s plenty of fodder (dynastic politics, inbred graft, warming relations with historic enemy Turkey, a woeful economy and even, wowee, another sex scandal).

In the last few weeks, my Greek friends and relatives have watched the U.S. candidates debate, read articles about Mormonism and Mitt Romney, talked about Hillary’s political machine, and even checked out candidates’ books (translated copies of Obama’s books seem to be doing particularly well here).

But ask most Americans who the prime minister of Greece is and you’ll get silence. It’s Kostas Karamanlis, in case you’re wondering, and he’s the dour scion of a storied old political family.

To most Americans, Greece is little more than a collection of ancient ruins and party beaches, and Zorba might as well be the prime minister.  But Greeks spend hours at Athenian cafes discussing domestic politics. Ask them about Karamanlis, or anything else related to Greek current events, and you just might discover that curiosity is the best ambassador.

©2026 World Hum, All Rights Reserved