Obama tide reaches shores of France

November 3, 2009, Paris, en route to see the start of the 2008 Vendée Globe Round the World Sailing Race in Les Sables d’Olonne…you didn’t have to read an opinion poll to feel France’s enthusiasm for the candidacy of Barack Obama.

The Metro was plastered with photos of Obama as I made my way to make the train connection from Paris to Les Sables d’Olonne.

 

November 4th, news of his victory splashed across the plasma TVs set up in the Vendée Globe press room in Les Sables d’Olonne…
 

and again in the Metro when I returned to Paris on November 10...

and on billboards the Charles de Gaulle Airport on my return to the States on November 12th.

Of the thirty sleek Open 60 monohulls tied to the race dock, Rich Wilson’s Great American III was the only American entry here. Being the sole American presence, Rich and the Americans with him were swept along on Obama’s coattails. We were a tiny nautical delegation entrusted to receive congratulations on the wisdom of electing our new leader.

My best memory is from the misty morning of November 4th. The news of Obama’s election was the buzz. The French feel Obama will respect Europe and in general and France in particular. They are hungry for a sense of positive leadership from our side of the pond.

“Obama, c’est bon, c’est trés bon!”  A ruddy-cheeked woman had planted herself a few feet from Great American’s stern. She enthusiastically saluted us Americans gathered in Great American III's cockpit with a mittened thumbs up.

For a moment, the world felt a lot smaller - and more friendly.

Comments

[Susaan]

Loved it!