A Binational Thanksgiving

We lacked a few things...football murmuring in the background, wine, recliners for post-dinner comas, crisp, fall weather, wine... but, Thanksgiving 2011 overall was pretty fantastic.

This year, AMINEF, the binational Fulbright commission here in Jakarta, hosted Thanksgiving dinner 2011. This mixed group of Americans and Indonesians pulled together to create a memorable day. The head of the program, American Mike McCoy, had the Four Seasons Hotel procure and cook two turkeys, while both Indonesians and Americans chipped in to supply homemade fixins'.

These three ladies (Hayley, Kathryn, and Kayla), all Fulbright English Teaching Assistants in Indonesia, crashed at my house in order to cook up their favorite family recipes. I readily surrendered my stove, oven, utensils, kitchen, sleeping accommodations, and hot shower in exchange for being able to eat something other than rice for Thanksgiving. Anyone who knows me well knows that I cannot and should not cook. So, I stepped out of the kitchen and let them get to work with the help of fellow fellow Megan.

Yes, those of french fries next to the Turkey. Don't judge.

With minimal problems (we discovered my gas tank leaks and Kathryn got a few drops of blood in the sweet potatoes after an incident with a veggie peeler - we threw them away, I promise!) and a few compromises (they had to improvise a few ingredients), dishes were served up piping hot and mouth-watering delicious.


We circled up around the table, half Americans and half Indonesians, and decided to express what we were thankful for. Somehow the Indonesians got out of this tradition, citing 'newness' to the holiday as their excuse - bah. So, the Americans took turns expressing gratitude for having a group of close friends and homemade food to help celebrate the holiday.

Our Indonesian friends did not get off quite that easily. We did force other traditions upon them such as, going back for three or four helpings and then laying lazily around the table while patting over-stuffed stomachs. We even seriously considered commandeering various office furniture and floor space for nap time, but we were trumped by the boss man who let everyone go home early to digest in the comfort of their own homes. 

The girls and I did just that. We came back to my apartment and all took naps with smiles and the memory of homemade pumpkin pies on our lips.