El Asesino

Before we began our travels, we were curious how people would react to us as Americans during a time when our country isn't very popular around the world.

Six months in, I'm happy to report people are very capable of separating citizens from governments.

From Tanzania to Vietnam to Argentina, we've encountered nothing but friendliness. At the same time we've heard nothing but disapproval about our president and government policies.

Yesterday's discussion with the guy shining my shoes (trying to maintain standards) was typical. It began with the common question: Where are you from?

We've been asked this hundreds of times on our travels and we always answer honestly: The United States (or America or Los Estados Unidos, depending on context).

Of course, yesterday Hugo Chavez was in Buenos Aires railing against Bush and Bush was across the Rio Plate, spreading the love in Uraguay. So it was a good day for some political conversation, albeit in Spanish.

Once we firmly established my level of support for our President's policies, the shoe shine guy really let off the hand brake. "El presidente es un asesino," all the while, smiling up at me (and giving me a good buffing) through three front teeth. Si, claro, un asesino.

Luckily these conversations have not focused their energy on us directly. Rather, people around the world want to share their thoughts about our president and his policies. And so we listen, hoping the help with a bit of global catharsis.