Friendsgiving

The first Thanksgiving in the U.S. is commonly traced back to 1621 in Plymouth, Massachusets as a celebration of food after harvest season. Whether it was between the Native Americans and Pilgrims as we were taught as children is up for debate, but it makes for a good story. The day we celebrate it today, the fourth Thursday in November, has roots tracing back to the first date proclamation made by President George Washington and another by Abraham Lincoln declaring all Americans celebrate it on the same day (Source: Wikipedia). 

As the U.S. is a melting pot of religions and cultures, Thanksgiving is the one non-denominational day of the year (besides the 4th of July) where every American has the day off to spend time with family and friends. For reasons unbeknownst to me, both days also include a parade, but that's a blog for another time. The Thanksgiving feast is typically centered around a turkey with various trimmings and side dishes depending on the family tradition. In the Midwest, we always have stuffing, green bean casserole, and mashed potatoes and gravy. My sister-in-law who grew up near Louisville, Kentucky brought creamed corn and sweet potatoes into the mix. The day ends with family gathered around the TV to watch endless games of back to back football. 

When you are an American living outside of the U.S., Thanksgiving is one of those holidays that is hard to miss, so you do everything you can to recreate it in your present environment. Which often means, gathering close friends and cooking the traditional meal. Hence, the name for this post. This was my 2nd Thanksgiving outside of the U.S. and by far the closest to the real thing I could have ever asked for. My husband and I cooked a whole turkey and friends pitched in to make the side dishes and dessert. In the end we had enough food for 6 of us, left overs for several days, a feeling of being home, and above all, gratefulness that I could share this day with others just as excited about it as I was.

Beautiful Berlin

A few weeks ago my husband and I took our annual trip together, which happened to be to Berlin. We've decided this is our Christmas present to each other each year due to the fact that 1) we never really feel like we "need" anything and 2) the majority of our travel budget is spent on trips back to the U.S. to see family and friends. This allows us to see someplace new and slowly check off the long list of places in the world we would like to travel.

Apart from being mesmerized in its history, Berlin is a place of great beauty. I'm not just talking about the landscape or architecture, but more of the inner strength and colorfulness of the people. It felt very international to me, and at times American. I know that sounds crazy, but walking through the Mitte neighborhood where we stayed, there were times I swore I could have been in Chicago. The fact that they have Starbucks helped, but also the newness of the buildings and wideness of the streets definitely made me feel like I was on the other side of the Atlantic at times. Then I would see an old building next to a new one and I would remember how the city had to rebuild itself many times over the years.

The most emotional part of our trip was a visit to the Holocaust Memorial and the parts of the city where the Wall still stands. The American Embassy was right next to the memorial which reminded me of the role the country played in WWII. I have a suspicion its location was a strategic decision given it took nearly 17 years to complete the construction after many years of negotiating and planning. We found a path which symbolized where the Wall once stood and followed it to a part of the city where you can see it in its original form. After walking by the words "Why" and "Madness" spray painted into the Wall, you get a sense for how it must have felt to be living there at that time. A Visa was required to move from one side of the city to the other. This part of the city known as "Checkpoint Charlie" actually still has the original signs up, in addition to fake American soldiers standing guard (for the tourists of course).

One of my favorite parts of the trip however, was dinner at an authentic German restaurant with friends. Because I work for an international company and we have an office in Berlin, we met up with some locals for traditional schnitzel and cheese noodles, in a warm and friendly atmosphere. Afterwards we went to a hotel bar, which again reminded me of something we would do in Chicago. Whenever I travel, I prefer to go where the locals go, and do as the locals do. Just goes to show, no matter where in the world you live, some things remain the same.

What's the Bond Deal?

The whole James Bond fascination must be a European thing. The latest Bond movie has everyone I know in Denmark and throughout Europe talking about the movie with a sense of excitement you usually only see for major events like the Oscars or the World Cup. From opening night black tie attire to dinner plans to drinks, this movie has friends excitedly talking about when and how they plan to celebrate seeing the next Bond flick.

I tried to share in their excitement (to be polite of course) but kept asking myself inside the entire time they were talking, what the big deal was? In the U.S. the Bond movies are legendary as well, but for me they are more nostalgic than anything else. Like listening to Frank Sinatra, or going to a great steak house. Looking back at when the series began that makes sense, as the first movie was aired in 1954.

I am certainly not against seeing the Bond movies, but honestly can't remember the last time I saw one. I remember Madonna releasing a song for the 'Die Another Day' movie but that was circa 2002. The Bond actors that come to mind for me are Sean Connery and Pierce Brosnan, but of course there are many more. Ask any Bond fan and they are sure to utter off the actor's names as easily as their children's names. 58 years and nine Bond actors later, Daniel Craig seems to have resurrected the series from old school charm to current day action.

How do I know that? Because when I was invited to see the movie with my favorite British friend, I of course accepted the invitation succumbing to the excitement of it all (for research purposes, obviously). When in Rome, do as the Romans do, right?