When I visited the US for the first time, I had already visited around 40 other countiers in the world. I had visited Bangladesh 13 times (but of course only counting Bangladesh once on the list of 40). The US hadn't been on my route before, and I had no real desire to go there either.
December 2003 was the first time I entered Northern American soil, and I have visited several times since then. I must admit, that the country fascinates me; the history, culture and the people.
There are definitely things I find very strange, like the easy access to weapon (my students saw "Bowling for Columbine" today). One of the reasons Norway, despite the cold, scores highest on my list, is that the kids can play outside, walk over to friends alone, doors don't need to be locked and we feel safe. Without weapons!
Another thing I find weird is that they seem to watch all kind of violence in video and movies, but freak out if a small child is naked on the beach! For some strange reason there seems to be a fear of nakedness.
I notice that the above is a kind of stereotyping, but please take it just as an observation, not an "All Americans are..." statement.
But besides the cultural differences (like the ones mentioned above), the country fascinates me. It is a country that reveals more and more of itself every time I visit. And it is a place worth going back to. I believe I have fallen in love with the place...
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