There is nothing like traveling to an international law conference in New York City to be reminded of the fact that Milwaukee is in flyover country. As in the place where most East Coasters might stop on their way out west or perhaps have been once or twice to visit friends. It particularly struck me this time — perhaps it was the number of times I needed to explain to the international law professors from other countries where Milwaukee was located or, more likely, the piercing question from no doubt a well-meaning colleague — you still live in Milwaukee, are you happy there? — that stuck in my craw. After all, I visit New York all the time. I live there for the month of August in my grandmother’s beach house. I married a New Yorker. If I was going to be offended, one would have imagined it would have happened long ago.  But no, it was really this visit, this time.

So . . . it struck me that at least some New Yorkers are as provincial as the Milwaukeeans who assume NYC is horrific and would never visit. I felt like standing on the table and announcing: “Hello!!! I live in the real America!” As if someone could actually lay claim to that. But, of course, that would make me just as narrow-minded as some of my colleagues. So . . . New Yorkers, yes, we can think about international law even when we are a few hours west of you, and it takes a bit longer to get to Paris. (And as I described the class trip that I led to Paris last spring as part of my international dispute resolution and tribunals seminar, even the New Yorkers had not thought of that one.) And, Milwaukeeans, go visit New York. The cabdrivers are funny, the food is awesome, and people will stop and help you when you get lost. And do more than sightsee. Note how kids in Manhattan get on the bus to go to school just like our kids. Walk through Central Park and see how daily life is actually lived. A lovely New Yorker (Mets fan) even commiserated about the Brewers and rooting for teams that did not quite live up to all of our playoff hopes!