The American “Dream”

Do you ever think about a different version of the American dream? One
that involves being asleep or daydreaming rather than being awake? Let
me explain.

For those of you who know me a little bit, you know that I was fortunate
enough to spend a whole semester in Spain in 2010. I had dreamed of
seeing the sights, strolling the streets, eating incredible foods and
speaking Spanish like I was fluent in it since I was sixteen. When I was
there, the first two-four weeks were rough, but they were still like a
dream to me. I was hearing Spanish and all sorts of other languages on
all of the streets I walked on and in all of the places I passed by. It
was incredible. I have also ironically been dreaming in Spanish since I was fifteen or sixteen but when I was living in Spain, I could probably count on one hand how many times I spoke in Spanish in a dream. I think, that for the first time in my life, my dream was my reality and my subconscious was really pleased with me. 🙂

Turn the tables for a minute here: Imagine someone from Spain, who had
dreamed of going to the USA (any city would do) and finally realized
that dream by studying abroad or immigrating here. Do you
think they dreamed of walking the streets, going to our restaurants,
watching our movies and TV in the original English the same way I did
about being in Spain? I think it’s true! I do have friends over there
and in Mexico who have told me a lot of things they wish they could do, see or try
in the USA. But for me, I’ve done all of those things at least one or
maybe even a dozen times! Life here is not exactly that special for me,
well, because it’s my home country.

Have you ever thought about how people from other countries (whether
they are first or third world countries) dream to be in the place you
live or lead the life you live?