Giving Thanks

When large groups of Americans are together, you can generally expect several things: lots of questions, straight-forwardness, general rowdiness, and a sense that anything and everything is possible.  Canadian Thanksgiving had slipped by quietly in October while I was chasing vampires in Transylvania, and despite missing the usual 30 person festivities at home, I was, in theory, content to wait patiently for next year.  Maybe that more than anything else reflects my nationality.

But it became apparent on our first stage dinner in Umbria that the 13 Americans in our section were not going to go quietly into that good night when it came to their Thanksgiving.  And so Friday, November 26th found me and Wendy welcoming 18 guests into our apartment for a sit-down Thanksgiving dinner.  The effort was spearheaded by Gretchen, who was a complete rock star for organizing everything, helping clean before and after and keeping momentum going.  We did that oh-so-traditional practice of going around the table expressing what we were thankful for, and sat down to a feast that featured traditional dishes and multicultural ones. 

Emily W pouring from the 5 L Eataly Nebbiolo cask for Crystal

Australia & Switzerland, Karynne & Laura

Luca & Andy joyfully opening Budweisers

Expressing that for which we're thankful

Roasted chesnuts

Turkey pieces

Yada (Thailand), Gianna (Cali) & Caro (Ecuador)

 

Capocollo dance, post-dinner

Luca (Tuscany) experiencing his first turkey coma

And looking around at the laughing people who've become my Italian family, and down at my overflowing plate as we began eating - it felt just like home.