Blogging
From Abroad

The elections are a big deal everywhere! I know in one of my other blogs I talked about the 2008 Presidential election being an important issue in Hong Kong for the locals. However, I never knew out of all the people in Hong Kong that there would be such a close group of people (Americans, Europeans) that would come together to share this momentous occasion. The U.S. Consulate along with the Democrats Abroad and Republicans Abroad came together to put on a free watch party at the Hong Kong Club for the 2008 Elections. It took place on November 5th from 7AM until 2PM.

I found it online and was a little hesitant to go. I thought maybe it would just be a tiny room with several Americans watching election updates. Boy was I wrong! It was definitely an experience I will never forget. It was in a beautiful banquet hall with red, white, and blue shining everywhere. I met people from all over the world that were interested in one thing?.the 2008 elections. I even met a guy from Sweden that knew absolutely everything about both candidates and wished more than anything he could have voted. It amazed me just how involved and concerned people from around the world were in this election.

The room quickly became packed with news reporters from everywhere. I was interviewed by several people. It was something I went into it not expecting. It made me proud though to speak about something that I felt so strongly about. I knew that I was representing America and I was glad to voice my opinion and show my pride. Even being halfway across the world, I felt such a strong bond and sense of pride with everyone in that room. It was also very nice to be able to watch the elections live. My day was filled with interviews, free food, singing, election updates, and finally the biggest turning point in America. It is a day that I will never forget.

I was a bit sad at first that I wasn’t able to be in the U.S. during such an important time in our lives. However, being in Hong Kong for the elections is going to be far more memorable and especially after the experience of the watch party with other Americans. I know it sounds corny, but it really did make me proud to be an American!