My dorm room which was private, overlooked a small street and an ancient Roman wall. I was still in awe of all the buildings and artifacts from Winchester's history--Winchester Cathedral, Jane Austin's home, St. Catherine's Hill, a hill fort mentioned in a Thomas Hardy novel, the old pubs, and Winchester College, a public school I visited and so much more. I often thought if I could just place all the memories and atmosphere in a bottle and inhale them from time to time, to revisit this special time in my life, it would be wonderful.
Thanksgiving was a few days away and we were all feeling very homesick. We had been in Winchester since September and even though the experience was rewarding in so many ways, we were missing our family and friends.
In our student mail boxes we all received an invitation -- to a Thanksgiving dinner to be held in the main dining hall (not as elaborate as the one in Harry Potter), but large enough for all our meals. What could this mean, we all thought? Thanksgiving, we knew, is not celebrated in Britain.
Thanksgiving day arrived. We dressed up for the occasion and walked to the dining hall. It was beautiful. The staff had made such an effort to make our American holiday special for us. The cafeteria was transformed -- complete with candles, table cloths, sherry and wine. I was seated next to John Cramner, King Alfred's College principal (a special seat for mature students?).
Mr. Camner was the epitome of a British gentleman, handsome, white haired, and a good conversationalist. I learned all about "Bread Sauce" which I had never had before and was told by Mrs. Cramner that I could buy it at Sainsbury's. After the toasts, we began the meal which did include turkey. I had to do a reality check, here I was so far from home, having Thanksgiving dinner in England with the head of a British college.
I even remember singing, "My Country 'Tis of Thee," and the Brits singing "God Save Our Gracious Queen." We felt so welcome, thanks to our British hosts.
As we walked back to our dorm rooms in the twilight, our homesickness disappeared, and we counted as our very good fortune, the opportunity to study and learn and experience a unique city in the United Kingdom, Winchester.
A Happy Thanksgiving to all of you, even if you do not celebrate the holiday and a special thanks to my husband who made the adventure in England possible for me while he stayed in California for three months and ate frozen dinners.
PS King Alfred's College is now the University of Winchester.
Any special Thanksgiving memories that you remember?
That was really sweet of them to do that for you. What a special memory.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Diane. Seeing the You Tube video brings it back too.
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving!
i love your memories---i shared a few from a re-post today :)
ReplyDeleteI will check it out!
DeleteWhat a wonderful Thanksgiving memory! I remember a special Thanksgiving I spent in Italy. There was no American celebration but still a Thanksgiving I will never forget. Happy belated Thanksgiving :)
ReplyDeleteItaly, it still sounds romantic. Interesting to be in another country where an American holiday is not celebrated. I think ex-pats all over the world try and find a turkey. . .somewhere :)
ReplyDeleteThe video was lovely. Visiting you in Winchester was a highlight. I'll always remember the walks we took along the water, the cathedral, the gardens. On the Sunday afternoon, when you had to do lesson plans, I went exploring, ended up at a charming tea shop, and came back up the hill to King Alfred in the fog. So British! I wanted to stay, as you were able to, and absorb more of my favorite country.
ReplyDeleteIt was so wonderful to have you come and visit me. I remember our trip together during the autumn break, trying to find Thomas Hardy's cottage in Dorchester--walking for hours, St. Michael's Mont, Lyme Regis, Bath, how cold it was in our B&B room, so many memories. We were going to go back and re-create our trip. but we never did. Is it too late?
DeleteIt's not too late! Walking through fields to find Hardy's cottage might be a bit much these days, though. Do you remember the beautiful but dead English robin we found beside the busy road, and the Shetland pony that turned its back to us? Did our hostess offer to clean our once-white sneakers. Those were the days when you could always spot an American by those white shoes.
DeleteWork on your knee, I'll work on my hip, and we're off!
Great Thanksgiving memory! I think Eric and his Peace Corps friends tried to make a Thanksgiving dinner when they first arrived in Nepal. Interesting how we try to hang on to certain traditions. Your description of the holiday is wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThanks, CQ. Traditions are important, and I think the college recognized that.
ReplyDeleteYears ago, during an out of state internship, my brand new husband flew in to meet me in Tucson that Thanksgiving where the only place we could afford was a Polish buffet restaurant. My husband's first liver dumpling soup! This was followed by a drive back to Colorado (together) with a stop at the Grand Canyon for Christmas.
ReplyDeleteHamburgers in the Lodge Dining Room on Dec. 25 where the majority of guests were Japanese tourists! We still smile at those two holidays...
Thank you for sharing your memories. hugs, IS
I can just picture you both eating Christmas Hamburgers at the Grand Canyon, but what a breathtaking location! Fun to look back, but I don't like how fast the years go by.
DeleteWhat a fantastic memory (and experience) to have! Also, I love the photo in your header. I don't have a Thanksgiving memory that really stands out. Funny things have happened, but nothing major. Overall, I guess that's a good thing.
ReplyDeleteShannon at The Warrior Muse
Thanks Shannon, I think of you when I see "Pretty Woman Ranch" (an old cabin across the street), I think it was a stage coach stop years ago. I need to do some research.
ReplyDelete