Thanksgiving in New Zealand

This past Thursday we celebrated that most unique American holiday, Thanksgiving with our friends George and Suzy and about 60 or so other American Ex-pats at the Pines, an events venue in Houghton Bay that has an absolutely smashing view overlooking the Cook Strait. The American Women’s Association of New Zealand did a terrific job of hosting the event and of course the food and good company were the highlights. The association provided the turkey while each of us was expected to bring a dish that would feed at least 6 people. These were all of the de rigueur Thanksgiving foods: turkey dressing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, cooked vegetables and an assortment of sumptuous deserts. It was a diverse crowd of Americans from across the geographical spectrum but it did seem that mid westerners from Iowa and Wisconsin tended to predominate. I guessed correctly that there was a dairy connection after I met Dr. Leo Timms, who was leading a delegation of some twenty students from Iowa State University. They were in New Zealand on a fact finding trip on New Zealand’s dairy industry. Overall I was surprised at how much fun we had as I had expected I would be down in the dumps on being separated from so many of my family and friends back in the U.S. This was one of my most enjoyable Thanksgiving dinners. Will the 4th of July down under celebration be as much fun?