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Thanksgiving is a big holiday in the United States. There is of course the historical importance (controversial as it might be). It is said that in 1621, the Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn harvest feast that is acknowledged today as one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations in the US colonies. But this celebration has a darker side that’s often overlooked: the contact between the colonists and Native Americans that led to their meal led to the decimation of millions of Native peoples. But nevertheless, this holiday is still celebrated today with the classic combination of food, family and American football.
As a newcomer to almost all things American, I must say Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday so far. The food is spectacular and plentiful. The company is merry. I had my first ta
Maine also happens to be one of the most freezing colder places in the US. It welcomed me with snowfall on Wednesday morning, the first I have ever experienced in my life. No one had warned me that snow falling would be such a brutal experience. I walked out of the house with nothing but tennis shoes, and when I walked back in only about 45 minutes later, my feet were an almost numb solid, with some of my toes actually physically stuck together. On the second day, I was more prepared (so I thought): I brought out my snow boots and went for my first sledding experience.
That went well enough. At the end of it, all my body parts were functional and maintained some sense of feeling in them. We did, however, decide to go to the water (the house is about two blocks away from the waterfront). I got so excited at the seeing water in a form other than snow that I put my feet in the water and got my feet wet. Now I not only had no boots, but also a bad case of sneezing from the cold that had now permeated my bones (and, it felt, quite possibly my soul).
Sitting down to a good, home-cooked meal after months of often terrible dining hall food at college was enough to distract me from my weather troubles. The fact that I was seated nearby the wood stove definitely helped (my hosts had heard of my non affinity to cold and had graciously placed me in the right spot).
I am really thankful to my amazing friend and his wonderful family for this beautiful experience – snow, sneezes, and all.