35) America Day

"America Day," more commonly known as "4th of July" is a big deal here in NYC, or so I heard. Perhaps the only patriotism I saw displayed was the star and stripes flag pin I received at the grocery store with my $10 purchase.

There were no marching bands, choirs singing, children running about in red, white and blue. After experiencing years of Canada Day festivities where the city is decked out head to toe in red and white, the sheer lack of colour-coded enthusiasm was surprising. Granted I did not wander about in Time Square today, but no one on the subway, save one small child was draped in a flag.

Most of today was spent eating. The photos were all taken at "Trailer Trash" a lovely homage to the American trailer park lifestyle and culture. In the heart of Chelsea the irony might have been lost on some of its patrons, but the tater tots and philly cheese steak were rather authentically prepared. The paper towel roll on the tables keenly displayed with pride. The quick-wittedness of the wait-staff, or lack thereof, was most likely not put on for affectation. Or maybe it was . . .

As it poured with rain most of the day, we bought snacks and headed over to the movie theatre. Michael Moore's Sicko was sold out in the afternoon, so we waited til the early evening, skipped the fireworks, and felt collectively smug that our respective countries, Canada and the UK, both have universal healthcare. There were parts of the movie, where Moore discusses France, that made me want to move back there in a heart beat.

Came home and discussed movie in brief with roommates. One of them declared that Michael Moore was a a wing-nut lunatic who should not be allowed to make films. I asked which of his films was most objectionable. The response: "Haven't actually seen any of them, but they always say on Fox News that he's crazy."