Thanksgiving (12/8)

Wow it's been 2 1/2 weeks since my last entry. I need to stay more regular about this...

Thanksgiving:
We were all worrying and wondering about what we were going to do for thanksgiving (or as my dad says in his accent "sans giben". Over the years me and Fed decided a man named Sans was giben something in early America and that's why we celebrate. Almost as good as the real story, we think.)

So we pondered how to make a good Thanksgiving with the stuff available in Ghana (and our PC budget). As we were conversing we got an email:

"The American Ambassador, Donald Teitelbaum and his wife have invited you to their home for Thanksgiving dinner."

SWEET

Peace Corps and the embassy really went above and beyond on this one. We all stayed with US Embassy or USAID employees and then on turkey day we got amazing food at the Ambassador's house. I told the Ambassador at the event that it was dangerous to invite a bunch of PCVs to a thanksgiving dinner. He reassured me and said they cooked like 9 turkeys and I forget what huge weight of mashed potatoes. Green beans, corn bread muffins, cranberry sauce, stuffing, and pecan pie for desert??

The back yard of the Ambassador's House.

Lots of PCVs eating and chatting

(USA seal in the background)

Oh yea.

I got sick full. (And dont forget the open bar before dinner).

The invitation read "Drinks will be served poolside from 12-2, bring your bathing suit if you want to swim."

Sangria and wine by the pool... (a pool?!?)... and then dinner, it was awesome. And the house of Mrs. Belien, the USAID employee was just as awesome. Air Conditioning, running water, a real bed, steak and real french bread. As I write this I'm back in 3rd world poverty, but it was a fun break.

Note for future reference: half a dozen sangrias by the pool may not be the best idea. As I walked up for seconds I saw a beautifully roasted turkey with a carving fork and knife next to it. "Strange..." I thought. Everything else is pampered but we need to cut it ourselves? No problem.

I carved a great piece and was proud of myself for my first turkey carving experience. Alex who was just behind me in line then chimes in with "Nothin' quite like fresh off the bird, huh Guillermo?"

I was confused at his obvious sarcasm, but when I looked around I saw just next to the turkey was 2 huge plates of carved meat.

I had just clearly cut my own slice out of the turkey left out for decoration.

Hah. Oops..