What now in Georgia?

After bouncing around between places in the States, this is the first time that I am living with a true American family, and the first taste of American lifestyle. Sure, I can't say they are typical Americans(what is that anyway?), but one American experience that I got to have is Thanks Giving.



Before I had this Thanks Giving, I thought this is a day that is equivalent to the Chinese New Year when families that are scattered all over the country, or the world, come sit down around the dining table and feast, catch up with each other and re-enforce the family value. Well, this is not entirely true, because there's more.



Romeo locked outside while everyone parties indoor.

There are two parts to Thanks Giving. "Thanks", and "Giving". It's really an event of action. Irregardless of what the origin of Thanks Giving is, it is a day of appreciation. Then here's the part that I found interesting. This is a day to show "thanks", by inviting family, friends, and even strangers who you barely know, to the dinner table. It is a day when you appreciate each other, irregardless of who they are, for what they are. It is a day of more than just "thanks". It is a day when the barrier between people somehow disappears.







Traditional foods such as bread crusting, mash potato and the turkey ready for the dinner table.


Everyone does his part.

I haven't experienced any culture that is welcoming to strangers by nature. Thanks Giving, to me, is the "odd" day of the culture. It's rather surreal. How often would you invite a stranger into your home for a feast? This is a day when it is "alright" to do so. This is the day when it is alright to be nice without reason, and receive hospitality without doubt.