Americans in Italy for Obama

Last night, Christy and I went to a theatre outside of Florence called Sachall.  There was an all night election party going on for anyone who wanted to go.  It was put on by the Tuscan American Association.  Yes, apparently that exists.  We arrived after dinner (which is like 10:30 here because they don't eat until 8:30 or 9) but it was really interesting!  There were hundreds of people at this event!  Students, ex-pats, older couples on vacation, Florentines, and other Europeans.  It was so not what I was expecting.  I guess I just didn't realize how many people are wrapped up in the decisions that our country is making.  There was a ton of free food.  Crappy American food like McDonalds and donuts, but hey, it was free.  There was also free wine, because, duh, we're in Italy!   Live country and western bands played all evening until the race started getting intense, because apparently that's the most "American" music they could think of.  And there were lots of raffles with the grand prize being an all expensive paid trip to America.  But, before the race started, they took an electronic vote of who you wanted to win and 85% of both Americans and Europeans said Obama.  There were shirts and buttons being past out that said "Americans in Italy for Obama," and poor John McCain didn't even have a booth.  I'm pretty sure all his supporters left when they saw the odds were against them.  But, it was surreal to be in a foreign country and seeing how much everyone cares for my country and just how much one decision mattered.  Whenever they would show Obama winning a state the entire room would burst into applause and cheering.  But when they showed McCain everyone booed and flicked off the monitors.  (I didn't ever say the Florentines were classy...)  It was so funny, and a really great experience.  Unfortunately everyone got kicked out at 4 AM because the party had to end before the final results came in, but it was such a fun night!  Or morning...   had a blast and hope that things can start changing in America.  Or else I'm moving here.  :)