Albanians have holidays, right? Of course! I tried to explain Thanksgiving to a young Albanian woman. But I don’t think I got the idea across. Well, here are the basics.
Our American myth…
Our myth is that the Pilgrims celebrated at Plymouth (Massachusetts) for three days in the autumn of 1621. They had nearly starved the previous winter. The American Indians helped them to survive.
Eating is central to us…
Americans give thanks at Thanksgiving, and we do so mostly at a big dinner. Some people go to the Midnight Mission or food bank to serve less fortunate people.
Some people are chompin’ at the bit to get out for Black Friday. It traditionally marks the start of the Christmas shopping season and is the busiest shopping day of the year in the United States. Those people are excited about stores opening at midnight. And yes, some stores are even opening on Thanksgiving.
Go figger: Albania doesn’t celebrate Thanksgiving but it does have Black Friday.
Jennifer and I are going to Tony’s
Jennifer and I will celebrate Thanksgiving at Tony’s American Restaurant. We’ve made the reservations, even though Turkey Day is a month away. Tony’s is a short 400 meter walk from our apartment. Please take a look at the menu.
It’s all the traditional food, plus mimosas and other drinks. And if you don’t want turkey, you can order “traditional” American dishes like tacos and eggs Benedict. Take a look, and press your browser’s “Back” button to return.
How did the explanation turn out?
Not that well. My young friend asked why I was bringing all this up. Maybe I didn’t emphasize “important American holiday.” So much for “hands across the sea.” Well, I’ll keep trying.
NOTE: I know this. In Albania, Independence Day (Dita e Pavarësisë) is a public holiday observed on 28 November. I’ll be out for that one: wearing a futbol jersey and waving a flag.
Well, well… the menu offers everything and more for a delightful Thanksgiving dinner. I’m especially interested to learn if the Veggie “shots” are made with “wadka” and what you do with the dip? Seriously though, it sounds great.
Perhaps your friend isn’t that interested in American traditions/history, nonetheless you gave it a good go.
And, and please post pics of the jersey and flag outfit!
Gezuar!
Gezuar, indeed! You are one fast learner! As nearly as I can figure (since the internet knows everything) veggie shots are crudites in a shot glass that holds ranch dressing. Right on about my friend. Natural curiosit isn’t her strong suit. She says she and her family want to visit America. Let’s see if that ever happens. She’ll find out waaaaay lots about “American” food.
That menu sounds really good. Wish I could be there to partake. To avoid my daughter-in-law’s annoying relatives, we have arranged to be gone over that holiday for the last 6 or 7 years. We have run out of foreign destinations (except Albania) and are now going to spend a few days in Palm Springs. Our favorite restaurant there will be closed on Thanksgiving so…we will have to look elsewhere.
Do you remember the Welch twins? Ronald now lives in assisted living in PS. We will see him when we go to PS. Donald passed away a few years ago. Acute alcoholism, I think.
Mary
Hi, Mary! Coincidence! Recently Ron and I got together on FB. I’m glad he’s alive and well. We share a few things. We have gone over some of the famous lines in “Once in a Lifetime.”
Smart move about being out of town. So much better than an hours-long ritual with a bad outcome. I betcha there are 50 places in PS that would fun to eat at. I once had the BEST Thanksgiving dinner at (get ready) Denny’s in Yuba City. They pulled out all the stops and it was really good! Barry
Hi Barry ! What a fun read trying to explain our American tradition of Thanksgiving to the Albanian woman ! Haha But aren’t you blessed to have such a wonderful place to dine at Tony’s ??!! The menu made me
hungry !