It's odd for a Brit to see this. Back home, there's an awkward sense of embarrasment when the national anthem comes on - that droning long winded song, heard amidst small shuffles of people looking around to see if everyone else is getting up or not. We Brits don't do patriotism very well at all.
Patriotism is everywhere in this country, and especially so yesterday. And you know what? I couldn't get enough of it! I do realise that most of my British friends reading this now will be disgusted, but I really felt a sense of belonging when I stood for the national anthem last night. It kind of gave me a sense of unity, the fact that I belonged to this vast nation of people who were so proud for their country.
The carnival atmosphere was an interesting one, I have never been to a proper American carnival and this was pretty authentic. The carnie folk, the games which roped me in and sucked my money away, the cotton candy and slushies - it was wonderful. It had a real sense of community, the whole town had gathered on the grass to watch the fireworks and listen to the music. This was small town America at it's finest.
