A day of thanks

This past Thursday Americans celebrated the slightly arbitrary but altogether wonderful holiday, Thanksgiving. Being in Rwanda I was assuming we would put together some small celebration to mark the occasion, enjoy the company of good friends, and then move on. Little did I know that Thanksgiving is just as mobile as I am. The good times began Wed or so when I began telling coworkers I would be gone that weekend for an American holiday. In the process of explaining the origins of the day in my mediocre french, I realized just how strange it sounded that we celebrated some random day because the Pilgrims didn't stave, and despite the fact that the real history is a bit muddled. From there, we moved to Thursday, the actual turkey day and I sat wishing away for some stuffing and green bean casserole that I knew was being consumed without me. Friday I finally made it to Kigali for a day of errands and preparations. I had been invited to a friend's house for what I had assumed to be a small dinner with a few friends, which turned out to be a full spread including very garlic potatoes, two turkeys, a chicken, and pumpkin pie. Needless to say I was thrilled at the idea of getting a small taste of what I had missed in America.

Saturday rolled around, the day I was spending cooking and preparing a meal with good friends. I got to Emily's and discovered, not only that there were more great people than I had expected, but most of them were planning some contribution. The biggest thrill however was finding out there were American goodies brought over for this occasion. You don't realize how precious canned pumpkin filling and pecans until you are faced with a Thanksgiving thinking you won't have them. It's a terrible thought let me tell you. Preparations were in full swing as we began our preliminary steps to our feast, however we go to put something on the stove and realize the electricity is deciding to play peek-a-boo today, randomly switching on and off. Luckily two of the burners are gas so we end up making do and cooking with the burners whenever possible. It was an incredible maneuvering and strategic planning event. Finally, I'm up with my planned dishes; carrot souffle, ramen and cabbage salad, and stuffing. Unfortunately umuganda limited the available stores open in our time of need so some items were altered slightly, such as the ramen and cabbage salad having no ramen. Eventually, we get to the point when the last things are taking their place; baking the stuffing, baking sweet rolls, and cooking the green beans. We begin to crowd the table, mouths drooling, counting the seconds until we declare the holiday open. The loaded table is then subjected to our paparazzi efforts as we thoroughly document the unfolding feast. Stuffing comes out and we can no longer hold back, the rolls and green beans will just have to wait for now.

Our array includes: stuffing, salad, spiced and cooked cabbage, deviled eggs, carrot souffle, baked macaroni and cheese, cranberry jelly, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, pecan pie, cupcakes, and then rolls. The eating is amazing, tasting the same if not better than home thanksgiving dishes. One plate goes down taking with it three of our guests, the seconds start. Unfortunately this is the time the green beans make their appearance, meaning no one has any room left. The jokes and comments get crazier and more ridiculous as our bellies grow. The love and friendship in the room makes everything glow just a little brighter. Pie is eaten, sofas fill up and we realize how this simple day of food and friends turned into a truly remarkable holiday, made that much better because of the trials and frustrations we have faced.