This isn't a political diary for once, but I wanted to put something in writing - a sort of public thanks to the generosity of America and the people I've met here. I'm writing this from the 4th state I've visited to date.
I first visited America for 2 weeks in May 2007 - my first flight, if you can believe that! - where I had a training course in northern Illinois with my new American company. We spent some time in Chicago, and I resolved to live here one day. State One was ILLINOIS.
My second visit to the US was to spend a week with y'all in Denver for that unspeakably wonderful Convention Week at Big Tent. I started actually applying for things that would help me move here. State Two was COLORADO.
The third time I flew to America, I landed at JFK with two bags and a suitcase, got my visa stamped, caught a taxi and moved into the smallest room in Manhattan with the best view. State Three: NEW YORK
Now I'm somewhere in northern MASSACHUSSETS and I've just celebrated my First Thanksgiving...
Before I first went to university, I had to find a local college because my school didn't have a place to study the final two years of high school (a 'Sixth Form' in British-speak). I got a place at an International Sixth Form college to take the IB diploma, and spent 2 years in a hippy-liberal campus: a castle once-owned by William Randolph Hearst, a lifeboat and cliff-rescue station, an arts centre, layered gardens, a farm, and 350 kids from 90 countries packed into rooms of four trying to navigate each other's languages, cultures and social norms, whilst studying hard and partying harder.
One of my best friends was from New Mexico, and because my parents lived not-too-far-away, he came to stay with us once or twice. At the end of the two years, he went to a Liberal Arts College in the US, and I stayed in the UK for university.
I think I saw him once in the years that followed - a flying trip when he happened to be in the UK. We would exchange messages, but both of us were living ridiculously busy lives and regular contact is difficult to maintain.
Forward to this year, and I'm looking at the Facebook page of the Grad Programme I've signed up for (and been lucky enough to be accepted onto) - a familiar face is smiling back at me. Having not seen each other for almost a decade, there is my old friend.
I've been in New York for about three months, and even though we're in different classes on manically-busy schedules, we manage to catch up a couple of times a week. He has inducted me into a profound love of the Cincinnati Bengals (I signed up before opening day, and now have a shirt and the fight-song learnt) and all forms of American food, and as much as I love everything about my school and my course and New York City, it wouldn't have been the same without having a friend who has known me for such a long time.
I thought I'd be catching up with some of my Dad's US-based family this Thanksgiving, but sadly there was a death in the family last week and they've had to fly overseas to the funeral. Before I knew what was happening, an invitation had been extended to his parents' place to celebrate, train tickets had been booked, and I was visiting state number 4 - Massachussets (I will not write here about my first experience of AmTrak: that deserves a diart of its own. Seasoned with expletives, possibly...!)
For those who are interested, the meal itself was superb - a succulent turkey, with onion thingys, and mashed potatos, and giblet gravy, and oyster hot-pot and all manner of wonderful culinary delights. But beyond the gastronomic delights, I was welcomed into a family and allowed to share in their Thanksgiving with all the love that would be shown another son.
I come from a continent that is not always able or prepared to see the best in the United States. The stereotype cast by Europeans is of a nation so individualistic that it neglects the social - universal healthcare as a gripe epitomises this: how can society function when government doesn't cater for all? What I think Europeans miss is the intense generosity and friendship that Americans show even to those they have not met before. There might be structural failings in the provision of social welfare by government, but that isn't due to a lack of collective virtue in treating strangers well.
From the friendliness of the MidWest, to the ruggedness of the Mountains, to the mad exuberance of New York, I have been treated everywhere as a friend, and everywhere with kindness. I am new, and do not yet belong, but I have been welcomed with open arms.
A country that welcomed its Pilgrim Settlers almost 400 years ago still celebrates a meal of Thanksgiving for surviving the crossing of the Atlantic, and for the kindness of those who lived there first in helping them to settle. I can identify with that. This is a kind country, and I consider myself blessed to have celebrated Thanksgiving with people who are, and always will be, my American friends.
To those that hosted me this holiday, and to all who have opened their homes to someone new, my sincere and heartfelt thanks.