Ok, I have to admit that this week's blog is not that originally, at least its topic. But for me as a German guy, it's my very first Thanksgiving holiday! And in addition, I have the opportunity to spend in an original American family (actually, we're kind of international because there are five Americans, two Chinese guys, and the additional German!).
Before the Thanksgiving break, people explained Thanksgiving to me as "Eating - Sleeping - and Eating again!" Well, that's how I experienced it so far. Since we arrived here in Tennessee on Tuesday night, we have only been eating (excellent stuff - my beloved Sauerkraut!), sleeping, playing Wii, and we've been around the area and also in a mal. One of the things I like most, apart from having the awesome experience of an Anerican Thanksgiving, is the landscape and the existence of fall over here in Tennessee (as compared to its nonexistence in Mississippi). All the lawns and fields are full of colored leaves, things are really easy going, everywhere there are little lakes and ponds, and I just relax - that's holidays!
This morning, I saw a survey in TV and they had asked Americans about the significance of the Thanksgiving holiday. In this survey, 53 percent said that Thanksgiving is the most important holiday in the U.S. Well, that surprised me a little because it is just a holiday that people would spend at home with their family. It's nothing like Christmas of the 4th of July which would either have an international/religious implication or a political significance. Ok, there is definitely a historical significance because without the assistance of the Natives to the Pilgrims during their first Winter, it's likely there wouldn't have been any Pilgrims left the next Fall.
However, even if you want to stress the historical significance, I'm a little confused when people ask me if we have Thanksgiving also in Germany. There was nothing like an assistance by a Native people that could be celebrated over there. So, if people ask me about Thanksgiving in Germany, they either have no idea about German history at all or they never understood what's the thing behind the Thanksgiving holiday over here.
So, either or, it's a little strange when over 50 percent of the Americans state that this holiday is the most important one but at the same time they don't really know what it is about or why it is special for the U.S.
Well, I guess it's almost the same in Germany: I suppose people would "vote" for Christmas to be the most important holiday - and there are only few people left who still know why we celebrate Christmas. But for this you should read my entry of two weeks ago ...
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4 comments:
Thanksgiving is, in my opinion, one of the most important holidays of the year. It is a time that we can be... well... thankful. Normally we take things like our family, lives, and blessings for granted. But Thanksgiving shows us just how much we have, and it makes us realize that it is something to be thankful for. It gives us a chance to see our family, and come together and enjoy each others company. Fellowship and thankfulness are the main reasons Thanksgiving is one of America's favorite holidays.
It also helps that turkey tastes reaaaaaally good. Hah hah!
Glad you experienced a real American Thanksgiving!!!
great reflection. i'm glad you got to experience a Thanksgiving holiday while you're in the US. Looking forward to hearing about it.
I can't imagine participating in a first thanksgiving. I have always grown up experiencing thanksgiving. Its my favorite holiday, I am glad you enjoyed it.
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