Pilgrim in America

I've been to the PSU with Joe. The course, The American Intellectual Tradition is the title of the book also, which they use. They discussed the two Great Awakenings, life and teachings of Jonathan Edwards (1730?), and Elmer Gantry after the War of Indepence (1790). (On Elmer Gantry see Sinclair Lewis' book. I recalled the movie I saw as a child with Burt Lancaster.)

I saw it interesting the way they had this class. It was similar to the church meetings and courses. Teacher: "When do you think the First Great Awakening took place?" "What was the cause and aim?" Eventually she summed up the answers. This is how the class went on, in a leasurely discussion. About 10 students, 2 retired persons (me as guest).

Joe introduced me to all the people. First, while we were waiting for the class to begin, to a guy looking like Sylvester Stallone, in his thirties, with eyeglasses. Then to other students, to the teacher, and even to the waitress in the snack bar on the other side of the street. She studied to become an English teacher. We talked to three students at the door, I mentioned my studies. It was a surprize how much these young guys were interested in spiritual sciences.

We had a lentil soup with Joe after course. It had some grated cheese on top, and mesclum salad in a side dish. I asked for a bread, too. The Vietnamese waitress brought some small buns with poppy seed.

I asked Joe about the American educational system. Primary school (1-8), high school (9-12), undergraduate school (4 év?), college, university. Grades: bachelor, undergraduate, grade, masters, doctorate. You can study whatever you wish, even skip degrees. This seems to me a jungle of opportunities. I felt good with Joe.

After the course I felt the same like after the humanist meetings. A sense of liberation and anger toward my memories of a totalitarian system. Then I realized the conflict our teachers had been trapped in. It was horrifying.

Realization: Unitarians dropped original sin, and with that grace too.

At home Don continued explaining: there is the PSU (Portland State University), the Oregon State University and the Oregon University. PSU is the largest (32.000), followed by the other two institutions with about 25-25.000. His son is attending a two year course at college, $8000. In case you are not from Oregon: $40.000.

After we talked I went out for a walk to think. I the evening I just roamed the streets in the neighborhood. Pat wasn't home, Don took me out for a waffle. We went to Elmer's, a nice, cosy, clean and spacious place. Big fireplace. Don and Pat used to bring their children here. I chose waffle with strawberries and whipped cream. It sounded good. The guy asks: "What would you like: sausage or ham?" I look at Don: don't understand... He says, "You can choose." I say, I got no idea, what would you suggest? Sausage. OK, let it be sausage. Guy asks: "How would you like the eggs?" Eggs??!... What kind of eggs?!... Looking at Don: what options do I have? They are laughing and saying both: scrambled eggs, and... OK, I say to the guy: let it be scrambled eggs.

There is a mini casino in the restaurant. This chain brings 1 billion in tax a year. They finance education with it. Indians also have these kinds of casinos, tax free. In return some give large amounts for public causes, some don't. They have their own police. The FBI comes only in case of felony. They do not like FBI, they think it often messes with their business without good reason. We also talk about Pat's family. Her father worked at a power plant, a project started during the depression by the government.

Dinner is ready: a huge waffle. Besides that: three sausages and the scrambled eggs. With a little bread it would be three meals at home. I look at the guy when he places the plates in front of me. He enjoys it. I switch plates, eat first the sausages and eggs. Very good, but without bread... The waffle is also excellent, but too much. I take home the rest.

I took a walk afterwards, and I thought I should write this down to you before going to bed...