Thanksgiving in Germany

November 27, 2008 at 2:03 PM

Today is Thanksgiving, turkey day. If I were at home, I would have driven to my aunt's house early this morning with my Dad, Green bean casserole, deviled eggs, and several other yummy things in tow. At my aunt's the rest of my Dad's family would be gathering, aunt's, uncle's, cousins, and grandparents that I seldom see outside of the main holiday's of Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. We would then hang-out together all day, eating lots of food, watching movies, and playing cards until late in the night, all-in-all enjoying each other's company. But not this year. It's Thanksgiving Day and I'm in Germany. Instead of spending the day in company with family, I spent it with students teaching them English, just like any other day of the week. Not a bad day, but nothing special either. I never realized what is so special about a day which is mostly celebrated through eating as much food as possible until it hit home that I wouldn't be driving to my aunt's and spending the day with family as I have ever since I can remember.

My celebrations this year a bit different. Yesterday I made a pumpkin pie, no small feat as I had to make my own pumpkin puree and crust, and brought it to the teacher's lounge of the school today for everyone to try. And was suprised to find out that most of the teachers here have never before eaten pumpkin pie! Tomorrow evening I've invited 10 of my colleagues over for dinner to celebrate - most of them are excited having never celebrated Thanksgiving before. I'll be making my traditional deviled eggs and green bean casserole, as well as providing the turkey, gravy, and another pumpkin pie. What wondeful yummy things will they bring to eat? This Thanksgiving celebration will definitely be different than what I am used to, but at least I will not be spending it alone - because Thanksgiving is not just about eating or being thankful, but is about coming together and spending time with family (or friends if family are far away)

Well, it's off to my violin lesson now - I guess that's an advantage of being somewhere where Thanksgiving isn't celebrated - I don't have to miss a violin lesson! :) Do you think if I bring my teacher a piece of pumpkin pie she will forgive me for not having much time to practice this week??? :)

From Karen Allendoerfer
Posted via 71.184.114.154 on November 28, 2008 at 1:50 PM

My husband is German, and he seems to have taken to the holiday with gusto (he's lived here 12 years now and we've been married 11 of those). He especially likes the turkey drumstick, which is nice because the rest of my family prefers the white meat. But many of the foods were unfamiliar to him, like pumpkin pie, which he still could do without.

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Thanksgiving in Germany

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