Wednesday, July 4, 2007

the 4th of July thoughts

When you live in San Francisco you almost do not realize that you live in the US. Holidays like today's remind you about it. You do not belong here. You do not identify with these people. This is not your country and you do not know what you should celebrate today.
That is strange. I wonder if it will change with time? Will I acquire a sense of national identity with Americans?
Defining myself today I would say: I am Polish, I am European. But I also feel that I do belong in San Francisco (basically, it is Monika-custom-made city), so probably soon I will start saying proudly: I am San Franciscan.
Will these feelings expand towards the whole US? Will I say in few years: "I do not have one home, one country. I am a citizen of the world"?