The Campfire songs we never learned

The first thing that come to my mind when we entered Oakhurst, is do people actually live here? The idea of people living here seemed like a vague idea for some reason. It was just too far and isolated for me to imagine it as an actual town. America is huge. It is home to many cities and towns. Different states have different populations and California is the most populous state. At least 40 million live in California. Oakhurst was a small town and the possibility of an Arab living in such a small town was very slim. Let’s not forget that nothing is impossible. George, a middle-aged Lebanese man owns Katie’s Kitchen, a restaurant he bought from a retired woman. He first moved to America in 1981 and is as American as everybody else. The fact that he loved America , the life style in America and the American people made it easier for him to assimilate into the American society. George felt more American than Lebanese. It might be because he lived in Lebanon during the war and his memories about it are distorted or because America gave him the opportunities and luxiries he didn't have in Lebanon.

George’s opinions are usually blunt and if you didn’t pay close attention to what he said, you might misunderstand it. For example, George voted for President Bush twice. He bluntly said that he loves him and he considers that America did liberate Iraq from the dictatorship of Saddam Hussein. For some reason, I had a feeling that he didn’t say that because he really believes in it but he just said it because he feels that as an American citizen, he should agree with everything the president does and he should support America no matter what. I talked to a lot of Americans about Bush and many Americans don’t like him and many others don’t support the Iraq war but George is a different case. After all, George is an immigrant and he is one who badly wants to assimilate and become American. He might feel that if he didn’t support America (even if America’s position is wrong), he will not be considered American enough.


In the afternoon, we went to meet Johnny, a fisherman and local locksmith we met the day before. Last night he asked if he could take us on a boat trip and we agreed. We drove to the Pines resort. Most of the houses located there were big, luxurious and classy. Again, I noticed that most of them had the American flag in their front yard. Americans seem to be very proud of their country. I’ve seen more American flags during this trip than Sudanese flag I saw all my life. When I have my own house. I will get two Sudanese flags. One for my front yard and one for my backyard. I don’t see why I shouldn’t be proud of my country and like my flag. The flag is a simple of independence and unity. It shouldn’t be limited to Embassies and ministries. Americans know what I'm talking about,


Our boat trip was rough but I felt totally comfortable. I don’t think it is because I was with a bunch of professional swimmers. I was just more comfortable with water now. I finally felt that I’m getting over my phobia. I didn’t feel scared anymore. For the first time in a long time, I enjoyed a boat ride.
The night was totally American. After eating a very American dinner we got ready to do S’mores. We stood around our little fire and roasted our marshmallows. After that, we put chocolate bars on graham crackers and ofcourse our melted and sometimes burned marshmallow on top. Campfires are always accompanied with songs. Real American campfire songs. Janet and Brooke shared some of their childhood camp songs. I always thought of camping and summer camps as an American thing. It was a special event remembered by every American adult and longed for by every child. I finally experienced it but I just wish I knew some of the songs. The girls made me reconsider this. They started singing British songs and Egyptian songs. Afterwards, it was my turn to sign a Sudanese song. I did. I didn't even know that I know this song by heart. Mabye campfires are Americans but they definitly can be international if you want them to be.