I usually forget about US holidays (the US specific ones at least) until I see my emails getting flooded with sales and deals for the holiday. July seemed to sneak up on me, just in general, but then I saw everyone posting about their 4th of July weekend plans, and I remembered, it’s July 4th!
Obviously, we don’t celebrate that here (Tanzania’s Independence Day is Dec.9), but I get to participate in it via social media and online ??
I recently saw some posts on social media about how people are disgusted with the United States and how we needed a new flag, etc. etc. We’ve heard it all before… and of course, people are entitled to their opinions on those matters, and we all have opinions on the state of the country…
However, we often think that the grass is greener on the other side.. that life would be easier/better in a different country… that if we just moved, all would be well..
Well.. let me give you a little insight into what it’s like to live in another country (especially a third world country):
My husband is Tanzanian, and now our son is a dual citizen of TZ and the USA (only until he’s 18 though, and then he has to decide on citizenship since TZ doesn’t allow dual). My husband’s passport allows him to go to very few countries without going through a long process of a visa application, interview and approval.
Most of you know it took Joel 4 tries to get a US visa. We spent over $1000 in costs for those applications. Just simply going as a tourist or to visit someone was not reason enough to travel. Each interview was full of questioning who you are, what your intentions are, determining if you’re a “flight risk” of staying there and looking over endless bank documents, letters of reference, travel history, etc. The last interview, he was pulled into a private room and was asked even more questions. When he flew to the states in Oct. 2020, he was taken aside in the US by a customs agent for further questioning regarding his visit.
The process is never ending…
Side note: I’ve heard from others that, actually, the US Embassy here in TZ is very nice compared to other countries. My friend said in several other embassies, she wasn’t even treated as a basic human being.
How sad.
Most Americans (me included, before coming here) are clueless as to what it’s like to live without an American passport, and the freedoms that come with that.. no questions asked.
When thinking about Theo and which passport he will carry once he’s 18, we’d be silly to not do his US passport because we know it opens up a world of possibilities to him. However, if he decides to live in TZ, he will have to live as a tourist and apply for visas to be here. We are hoping things could change in the future..
So, for all my American friends, take a moment this July 4 and be grateful for the opportunities you have, just by being American. For the freedoms you have to move about the world and go anywhere you please, just by being American.
And know that the grass is not always greener on the other side..
Happy July 4th! Yay America and the freedoms we have because of those who fought and gave their lives for our country ?? ?
xo, Liz