The Fourth of July

Saturday, July 04, 2009

In my (admittedly limited) experience as an American living abroad, there are two days that really make you feel homesick for the States.  Those are, of course, Thanksgiving and the Fourth of July.  I've got to admit, Thanksgiving required a fair amount of improvisation.  We don't really have anything as good as an oven and have to get by with a combination microwave/convection oven, which only sometimes works.  The device is a bit on the smallish side, so turkey was definitely out.  We ended up cooking a roast chicken, which was fine, but it was still sad to miss out on the Macy's parade and all the other goodness associated with Thanksgiving.

Then there's the Fourth.  They do actually have the Fourth of July in Britain (it would be awkward to skip straight from the Third to the Fifth).  Sadly, it is not marked with either barbecues or fireworks.  Which makes sense, I guess.  I can see how the British might not want to celebrate the rebellion of their former colony.  In any case, it's odd to celebrate American independence when you are in the country from which America declared independence.  And, as Kellie remarked to me earlier today, the Fourth is really quite a good holiday: after all, there are no cards or presents to buy, no elaborate dinners to cook, just burgers and blowing stuff up. 

So, it feels odd to be in the wrong country today.  But, I guess it helps one to appreciate the meaning of the holidays we sometimes so mindlessly observe.

(The good news is that Rachel Baumann is actually randomly in town today, so we will be celebrating with a fellow American.  Huzzah!)