Because it’s Thanksgiving, and because I have several Australian readers (go figure!), I thought I would tell a story that involved both!
Years ago I had an American co-worker who had spent much of her childhood living in Australia where her father’s job was located. Every year, in an attempt to keep some of their family’s American traditions, her mom would make an entire Thanksgiving meal – turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and the whole works – in the dead heat of the Australian summer. She claimed the neighbor kids thought it was so strange that they peered through the windows, spying on this odd tradition of cooking such a meal in the sweltering heat.
Then one day my friend’s dad asked her who George Washington was. She cringed a little and said, sheepishly, “I’m sorry, dad. Did he call and I forgot to leave you the message?â€
And thus began that family’s transition BACK to American soil.
The End.
Thanks Jen. It really is a baffling holiday for those of us Down Under. But remember – most Aussies do the full turkey roast at Christmas and it’s even hotter then. Damn our English heritage!
“Did he call and I forgot to leave you the message” – gold!
Yes, our family often has turkey roast for Christmas dinner, along with my favorite, the cranberry sauce.
As for the weather, where I live there hasn’t exactly been alot of sweltering heat. Last week people were rugged up in winter clothing trying to battle through strong cold wind. It was even said that there was snow in some places. And then a little over a week later it was into summer clothings and air conditioners.
Jen, if you, Bryan and the kids ever decided to visit Australia (especially Victoria, which is where I am) then my advice when it comes to clothing…bring everything; because I tell you, you could be snow skiiing one week and sunbathing at the beach the next.