Eight Ways to Say “I’m American” While Traveling without Saying “I’m American!”

At the top of Table Mountain in 2010. I’m certain we had these flags because the World Cup was happening in Cape Town. Either way, this old picture makes me cringe a bit today.

Preface: Early on during my first solo trip, I was reminded by a nice guy from Colombia that his country — Colombia — is a part of “The Americas.” So are a lot of other countries. His point was that travelers and most folks from the United States identify themselves as “American,” which is just strange and feels pompous or myopic. Since then, I’ve always…