Stars stripes and flip-flops

The whole world seems to have an opinion on the States. A person is either a tad tentative with ones U.S. viewpoints (or a smidgen reserved at professing them), or one is the No. 1 fan of the Stars and Stripes phenomenon which now permeates the globe. \nI even found a pair of flip-flops enveloped in a layer of red, white and blue at my local drug store nestled in the summer display section. Towels, sun visors, tight little tees and beach balls were positioned amongst other Star-Spangled Banner-bearing items appropriate to take to the local beach. And I must add I was not the only one using my elbows to secure a place (and size eight flip-flops) because I wanted to be able to wriggle my toes under those red rubber straps and try on for size. \nWhy does the Western World have such an infatuation with everything is American? At that stage I didn't know why. Furthermore I was not particularly interested, apart from sporting those cute little sandals throughout the cobbled streets of Europe, until an opportunity arose to spend a semester at IU and actually experience the real American lifestyle. \nTo be honest, it was more about being able to see for myself what the world is so divided about. Shall I embrace the American Dream, from a country which entices an extreme viewpoint in everyone, or shall I reject it?\nUntil now, my contact with the U.S. basically remained sparse. Every so often a sneaker-clad American tourist (which by the way, just like the Japanese, can be found all over the globe but not in such remarkable numbers as can be seen hoarding the Sistine Chapel) would be found adrift, wandering aimlessly in circles through the canal-clad, cobblestone streets of my home town. Navigating within the walls of my medieval town of Maastricht, Holland, is without a doubt pretty challenging, (albeit easier to traverse in brand new, white sneakers than those flip-flops of mine) so I'd help out and point out the direction of the tourist route.\nAnd now it is my turn to look lost and forlorn over here. Well, definitely lost anyway. I lost the way (in Yosemite the marked route definitely moved away from the track I was on) and lost it when I discovered what is American cuisine: coffee refills, colossal soft drinks, huge -- and I mean mammoth portions of my favorite chow, unfortunate for my waistline. \nCome to think of it, even on the rickety flight over from Europe I found something extraordinary. What I had assumed to be the in-flight magazine (don't laugh) actually offered the juiciest, choicest most tender, meaty slabs of St. Louis Style ribs at $34.95. I could order food on my credit card in the plane. Wow. Shipped in a Styrofoam cooler with added complementary seasoning, what a bonus! For me this rather astonishing catalogue (note the roles have reversed and that I am the tourist now) was the first in the many American quirks I have been encountering these past three weeks. \nAnd what will my opinion be of the States? Who knows. From the black bear encounter in Yosemite, to navigating my way to Indiana to watch the Hoosiers win the football game last Saturday, my experiences here will remain remarkable. At the moment, all I can say is watch the birth of another No. 1 fan of the Stars and Stripes phenomenon.