Cultural Spelunking

Cultural spelunking, of course. Although today I did see a sign to go cave exploring under the Smoky Mountains, so theoretically I could have actually gone spelunking. Physically.

Since arriving in Kodak, TN a very small town about an hour outside of Knoxville, I have been overwhelmed by a new appreciation for American culture. But for the first time in a while, I am in awe not in the melting pot, tossed salad, multi-culturalism kind of way that blows my mind in New York. No, instead I am soaking up Tennessee in the iced tea drinking, tractor driving, “setting” not sitting, family comes first, hot meal three times a day, rolling green pastures, a card game and a long story around the kitchen table kinda way.

After a few days of visiting with my Grandparents and spending time with my family in TN, I feel compelled by the sheer American-ness of it. In a colloquialized way, of course, but also in a very real way. Today we went to their church and watched a blue grass band play, and all of their friends and neighbors introduced themselves to us. Yesterday, we rode on the tractor that our grandpa used to use to run the farm that my dad and aunts grew up on and shot BB guns. I have been reintroduced to actual ingredients, with which meals are made and sat down for. The option of a nap is always on the table, and today I read my dad’s high school valedictorian speech and looked through old pictures. It seems like something out of a storybook, but in fact it is just what’s done and what’s good. The only reason I am now finding time to write this all dawn is because I am waiting for it to get dark so we can all go outside and set off fireworks (yeah all you Californian readers, legal fireworks).

I think that this is the first of my many visits to the interior US which I have been able to really appreciate the uniqueness of it. Likely, this is the most self assured I have been in my own skin to realize that a culture which many caricature and mock, which we all are tied to and branded by as “Americans” to the outside world, which is considered by the pretentious as “uncultured” culture, is truly one to be respected and valued. It is also one to which I am inextricably linked, and I feel truly happy about it. I have been steeped in American values which have been distilled for generations, and here I feel really at home in a way I was embarrassed to admit to myself before.

There is TONS more I have to say on this topic (and obviously, will) once I get back to San Diego where I can upload more rich media like a billion pictures and flip clips, but I had to write this down so I don’t forget it. And those of you who have made it this far reading unencouraged by links, clips, pictures, shout-outs, embeds, and all of the other visual candy I usually fete my posts with, thanks, and way to overthrow the growing stereotype that internet readers have visual ADD.

Speaking of which, I have some fireworks to go set off.