When we travel internationally, my favorite part of coming home is customs. I look at the U.S. citizens’ line, and I’m always amazed at how similar it looks to the non-citizens’ line. Americans have roots all over the world, but we’ve found a home together here.
Like every big nation, we have problems, but we also have some vast cultural differences to bridge. Here’s to our shared freedoms, our gorgeous country, and our communal struggle to figure things out.
Happy Independence Day, fellow Americans. I like you guys.
Amen to that! Have a peaceful and (civic, freedom of religious practice) blessed 4th.
LikeLike
Please – indeed!
LikeLike
That’s always what I think when I come back through customs, too. It’s never demonstrated more clearly than in the customs officers: in June at JFK, I counted among the officers one American-Italian, one Chinese-American, one African-American, one Hispanic-American, one Indian-American and one white (uh, German-Irish-Scot?) American, all checking passports. Kind of great.
LikeLike
Have a Happy and Safe Independence Day everyone!!
LikeLike
Hear, hear! My sentiments exactly. Happy Independence Day, EVERYBODY!
LikeLike
Happy 4th from North of the border.
LikeLike
Amen!
LikeLike
I like you too!
(Says the girl that reads you daily but never comments!)
LikeLike
Yeah!!! Happy 4th to you too!!!
(says the guy that became an American a bit over a year ago)
=)
LikeLike
I will second that Amen, sister! Another in a long list of reasons that I am in the process of importing my husband.
LikeLike
imigration officer to the arriving crowd: “U.S. citizens?” some people make themselfs known. imigration officer: “this line please, welcome home guys”. never seen such a scene at any other immigrations and calling strange people sounds still weired in my ears
LikeLike
Well said. Cheers!
LikeLike
My favorite part is when they say “Welcome Home” and I grin.
LikeLike
The difference is: The non-citizens-line is waaaay longer and mostly you are not greeted with a “nice to have you visiting” or a simple smile. Thats sad.
LikeLike