Celebrating Independence Day While Abroad
Happy Independence Day to all United States citizens (and other friends of liberty). I always love this holiday and am somewhat sad to be missing celebrations back home. I'm still in Mexico.
We're doing what I imagine many Americans abroad do -- seek out their fellow countrymen and have a party. My in-laws' next-door neighbors are from the States and they know a few other people who are as well. We'll be barbecuing and having some fun later today. Since this is a big tourist community, we hear that they may have fireworks for the Americans later tonight. I am not entirely sure how that separates tonight from other nights, as fireworks seem to be enjoyed regularly here.
But marking a holiday in a culture that does not is always interesting. Typically I experience this in the U.S., where many Americans don't celebrate the same religious holidays Lutherans and other traditional Christians do. Ascension, Pentecost and many other feast days just don't get the commercialized treatment that Christmas-Superbowl Day-Valentine's Day-Easter get.
When trying to make a day special for your children, you realize how much it helps to have a supportive culture. In the States, we'd simply haul the kids down to the nearest parade and go to our friend's house for fireworks viewing. Here, we have had to explain much more to them about why being American is important and what it means (and I don't think they get it yet, frankly).
Anyway, a special shout-out to Americans who are living abroad or otherwise outside the borders of our great nation. And if you have any tips for how to do it up right while away, let me know!
Fireworks image via Shutterstock.
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Apr '12
Re: Celebrating Independence Day While Abroad
I always found I was about ten times as enthusiastic about Independence Day when I was living abroad. Not that I don't like it when I'm here too. You just have a stronger sense of the "American" aspect of your identity when you're abroad.
Apart from fried chicken and corn on the cob, though, my best advice is to get invited to an embassy party. The food is very good. Except, it must be said that embassy parties, even for Independence Day, are more oriented towards local dignitaries than towards Americans. The one I went to had more local (Palestinian) cuisine than Western cuisine.
I also had a good time once creating an American history & culture-themed game of "Jeopardy!" to play with some of my compatriots. Anyway, have a happy 4th!
Edited on July 4, 2012 at 4:27pmMay '12
Re: Celebrating Independence Day While Abroad
I did Fourth of July in Dubai UAE in 95. It has a different feel for sure.
Feb '11
Re: Celebrating Independence Day While Abroad
Mollie, I spent the 2007 summer abroad in Serbia and for the fourth of July all Americans were invited to the U.S. Ambassador's house. I had a great time! They had a barbecue, outdoor volleyball, and prizes. I do not know if this is done in Mexico because there are such large numbers of Americans, but you could call and find out. In Serbia the number of Americans easily fit on the lawn of the U.S. Ambassador.
Mar '11
Re: Celebrating Independence Day While Abroad
On July 4, 1976, I, along with some fellow Americans, sang the Star Spangled Banner in the middle of the Grinzing in Vienna. Then we found out the Israelies had raided the Entebbe airport. We felt pretty robust, to say the least.
May '10
Re: Celebrating Independence Day While Abroad
One 4th of July I was puttering around the front of my house when a college-age person who was selling something door-to-door approached me with his pitch. After I declined he asked, in a posh British accent "Why is everyone home today?"
I said "It's the 4th of July."
He asked "Um, so ... ?"
My reply "King George the III, loss of the colonies, Declaration of Independence, you know."
His reply "Ohhh ..."
Jun '10
Re: Celebrating Independence Day While Abroad
Happy 4th!
Apr '11
Re: Celebrating Independence Day While Abroad
We have fireworks in London, but not much more. I haven't organized much this year (drinks with some American friends), but Thanksgiving 2009 remains a fond memory; my wife and I organized a "Tea Party", with big American flags, lots of patriotic song sheets, copies of various founding American documents (including the 1689 English Bill of Rights), and mountains of Thanksgiving food. We sang, read, chatted, and ate in Parliament Square, on the opposite side to the House of Commons.
We didn't get all that many people (a few dozens in total), but the people who did come across us were amazingly moved. I don't know if a quarter of the people I've made cry with happiness in my life cried that day, but I think it plausible. People talked about never having really cared about "My Country 'Tis Of Thee" before... just a great day.
Re: Celebrating Independence Day While Abroad
As I'm here in foreign lands with my USMC Lt. Col. (Ret.) father-in-law, the quote from Chesty seems particularly apt!
Oct '10
Re: Celebrating Independence Day While Abroad
My first Independence Day as a US citizen and I spent it in Afghanistan. The fireworks, barbecue, and beer will have to wait until next year I guess.
PS: I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack! Did you miss me, Ricochet? I missed you!
Jun '10
Re: Celebrating Independence Day While Abroad
My daughter and son-in-law are in Prague (my daughter is the ass't director of the BYU dance team, which are participating in an international dance competition). They love Prague, but when we spoke to them yesterday there was a bit of sadness that the 4th is just another day. But they were going to get together with all the parents and friends of the team and spend some time celebrating America.
May '10
Re: Celebrating Independence Day While Abroad
We're in Helsinki right now. Haven't found any other Americans to hang out with, but we had reindeer pizza for dinner.
Feb '11
Re: Celebrating Independence Day While Abroad
I was in Paris last year, so we pretended that the eiffel tower bright lights were fireworks
Aug '10
Re: Celebrating Independence Day While Abroad
I notice that Independence Day is on two channels on the tv right now.
Seems a little trite, no?
Isn't that sorta like broadcasting Die Hard on December 25?
Edited on July 5, 2012 at 2:59am