by Victoria Malcom
I’ll admit it: I can get addicted to reading the news. It’s how I start my day, checking in on life both in the United Kingdom, where I lived until early 2022, and then ‘local’ news here in the United States. I also love to unwind by reading great journalism, taking an in-depth dive into everything from the latest scientific discoveries to human interest stories. I’m in full agreement with Dwight D. Eisenhower when he said, "Politics ought to be the part-time profession of every citizen who would protect the rights and privileges of free men." I have no ambitions to start a career in politics but I’m fiercely aware of how free – and therefore lucky – I am to have grown up in a country where we have a vote and are able to hold our politicians to account.
But this isn’t a piece about politics – though I appreciate the introduction is likely to have given you that impression. I personally find the tribalism and negativity that politics seems rooted in incredibly draining. Regardless of which end of the political spectrum you lean toward, the messaging is centered around everything that’s broken, all the elements of society that need to be fixed.
And while I accept that’s the norm, I think it all rather misses a key point. That, whether you’re reading this in the United Kingdom or the United States of America, there’s just so much to celebrate about where we live in the world. Having lived in the USA for the past two-and-a-half years I've gained a fair bit of perspective on the things that make my homeland so special, while also discovering so many charms in my new home. So, instead of highlighting the differences on either side of the pond, I’m writing a love letter to my homes, both old and new, and raising a flag of positivity instead of one of division.
I’ll begin with some gentle musings about Britain because absence really does make the heart grow fonder. That makes it oh so easy to write, but I hope my musings might turn up some surprises! Of course, I could write for hours about the rich history and timeless charm of the UK. My parents live in Wiltshire (the county that’s home to the Stonehenge) just outside a medieval city called Salisbury, which is world-famous for its Gothic cathedral. Going home to visit family takes me to a place that people from around the world travel thousands of miles to visit. But for many years, Salisbury was simply my local town. Somewhere I went to school, met friends for a little shopping or enjoyed coffee with my family. Now, as an international visitor, I’ve a newfound appreciation for this city that blends ancient and new so effortlessly. Plus, the cathedral was built by hand in ‘just’ 38 years between 1220 and 1258, which is completely astonishing when you think about it.
So, besides the obvious, what else do I love about the United Kingdom? Footpaths, byways and more. While America, particularly in the western half of the country, has vast open spaces and incredible wilderness to explore, I have a newfound appreciation for the humble footpaths, byways and bridleways that crisscross the land. They give the British public a network of paths for hiking, cycling, horse riding and even driving in every single corner of the country. They are part of the reason we can be less reliant on cars to get around and make a stroll from one village or town to another (via an excellent country pub, of course) a weekend institution for many.
Then there are traditions that we embrace and preserve to almost obsessive order. The summer season, which encompasses topflight sport such as Henley Royal Regatta (rowing), opera at Glyndebourne, Royal Ascot (horse racing), the ‘Proms’ and a chance to dress in exquisite clothes while you enjoy merriment and entertainment, provided you pay heed to dress codes where applicable!
And I do believe there’s nothing quite like the English countryside in high summer. The sun rises almost painfully early, but it’s still light at 9:30pm and that light really is incredible. Because gorgeous summer weather can be rare (just ask any Brit after the ‘summer’ they’ve just had), when the sun does appear we all go a little bit mad. Headlines in newspapers proclaim, “London set to be hotter than Madrid/Istanbul/Ibiza!” and list all the ways to stay cool. And the beer gardens at pubs, hundreds of years old, deep in the countryside are rather good too… Have I mentioned county pubs? Only twice now, I think!
But what I love and miss most of all about the UK are the people. This is a broad brushstroke, so bear with me, but I do think the British do self-effacing wit and dry sarcasm like no other nation. Plus, we nurture some downright bonkers, deep-rooted traditions like rolling a cheese (a whole wheel, given that you want it to go really fast) down a dangerously steep grassy hill. And then unleashing a crowd of mad men and women who chase it. The winner keeps the cheese which I hope serves as a distraction from the cuts, bruises and occasionally broken bones they now have!
The English are a little mad, the Scottish dour but warmhearted, and the Welsh are so proud of their country and speak an unintelligible (to anyone who isn’t Welsh) language. Patriotism has become a little entangled with protectionism, and that’s sad. But for all the things we’re told make us different, it’s a perfect blend that, together with Northern Ireland, makes one of the best countries on the planet. In my humble opinion.
So, what about my love letter to the USA?
Well, I’ve been bowled over by the enthusiasm for high days and holidays. Gathering people to celebrate at every single opportunity. And, really, it is every chance! From the headline holidays – the Fourth of July, Halloween and Thanksgiving, – to the opening of a new restaurant, a day at the lake, the start of the summer farmers’ market, even the state flower coming into season. It all warrants food, drinks, people coming together and a lot of fun. Of course we celebrate in Britain, but it could also be said we lean more toward ‘not making a fuss’ than ‘set off ALL the fireworks’, which I think is a little sad! I’m 100% embracing the fun and marking every holiday and notable day I can, because America has taught me that life really is for the living.
It would be remiss to write a love letter to the USA and not include the vast and varied landscapes. My goodness, this nation is mind blowing! From towering skyscrapers and an urban sprawl like no other to vast cornfields in the Midwest, and seemingly endless expanses of the Great Plains. The dense forests and majestic mountains, bleak deserts and pristine beaches. The sheer abundance of land (in most states, not all) shapes the mindset and means the houses are often much bigger than I’m used to. Walk in wardrobes - my husband now must understand these are essential in every home we live in. But really, as someone who is far happier outdoors than inside, it’s the diversity in landscapes and nature that has wowed me the most. Here, in our little town, we have hiking and riding trails for hundreds of miles starting on the doorstep, as well as State and National Parks so close. There are bears, cougars, elk, moose, mountain goats, deer, wolves, bobcats and so, so many birds. I’m in awe!
But a little like my thoughts around the UK, it’s the people that I must mention in closing. Americans are a true melting pot of cultures, races and backgrounds and are (thankfully) not quite so bound by class structures as the United Kingdom. And they bind these diverse places as one nation. States, cities and towns that look and feel so very different, yet you can uncover plenty of familiarity and shared values. We’ve moved from suburban Indiana, where we initially lived for my husband's work, to a town of 900 in the Cascade Mountains in Washington state. They might be 2,148 miles apart, but the people have one key thing in common. They are so, SO proud of being American. Even if they, over a drink or three, start to ponder what frustrates them about the nation or mention their connection with a country from their cultural heritage, there’s no chance they would want to be from any other country in the world.
So, perhaps we can find unity in our shared appreciation for our homelands and spend a little more time celebrating our countries and a lot less time spent slating them. There may well be issues to address but the fact we care so deeply is telling. To riff off a certain famous political tagline let’s keep Britain great! Let’s keep America great! Yes, they have changed, but surely every country evolves as time passes. We can celebrate and love our history but embrace change, too. After all, love for our countries is what drives us to make them better.
