Celebrating Independence from Britain..... in the UK?!?
As the 4th of July approached I began making plans to celebrate the American holiday. Michael told me that his American friend, Megan was visiting for two weeks beginning that week.
Megan’s family, the Glens, are involved in a program committed to promoting integration among Irish students. It places a Protestant and Catholic together with a religiously mixed American family. The Glens hosted Michael in 2003 and have come to Ireland on occasion. They have kept contact with most of the Irish participants, but have probably seen more of the Bradleys. It was obvious to me the Michael and Megan had kept in close contact through the years.
I was hoping that we, the two displaced Americans, could get together to celebrate. Michael was agreeable to the plan so I took the day off and caught the bus to Maghera on the 3rd. Megan was very lively for having just flown in and was up for touring the next day. The four of us went for a drink and made plans for the following day. Of course Peter wouldn’t take the day off so Michael, Megan and I were to drive up the Antrim Coast.
The next day we climbed into the green skoda and drove North through the ports and past Bushmills to the Causeway and Carrick-a-rede bridge. Since Jim asked Michael to plan the BBQ for the evening we made sure to make a quick dash back to Maghera after ice cream in PortStewart at 1500.
Once back in Maghera, Megan and I decided to make potato and fruit salads. Our other attempts to americanise the BBQ were futile as the sweet corn and watermelon looked very dismal. It just wasn’t right!
At the dinner Jim invited two other American business friends. Barbara flew a little American flag above the hammock. It almost seemed like home.. if you ignored the bleating sheep, the slate covered roofs and the cool climate.
I couldn’t quite sleep without fireworks to close the evening so I spun around a few times and shook my head until I could see stars. Content with the results I finally fell asleep.
Megan’s family, the Glens, are involved in a program committed to promoting integration among Irish students. It places a Protestant and Catholic together with a religiously mixed American family. The Glens hosted Michael in 2003 and have come to Ireland on occasion. They have kept contact with most of the Irish participants, but have probably seen more of the Bradleys. It was obvious to me the Michael and Megan had kept in close contact through the years.
I was hoping that we, the two displaced Americans, could get together to celebrate. Michael was agreeable to the plan so I took the day off and caught the bus to Maghera on the 3rd. Megan was very lively for having just flown in and was up for touring the next day. The four of us went for a drink and made plans for the following day. Of course Peter wouldn’t take the day off so Michael, Megan and I were to drive up the Antrim Coast.The next day we climbed into the green skoda and drove North through the ports and past Bushmills to the Causeway and Carrick-a-rede bridge. Since Jim asked Michael to plan the BBQ for the evening we made sure to make a quick dash back to Maghera after ice cream in PortStewart at 1500.
Once back in Maghera, Megan and I decided to make potato and fruit salads. Our other attempts to americanise the BBQ were futile as the sweet corn and watermelon looked very dismal. It just wasn’t right!
What is a BBQ without spitting seeds or having bits of corn stuck in your teeth and juices dribbling down your chin?
At the dinner Jim invited two other American business friends. Barbara flew a little American flag above the hammock. It almost seemed like home.. if you ignored the bleating sheep, the slate covered roofs and the cool climate.
I couldn’t quite sleep without fireworks to close the evening so I spun around a few times and shook my head until I could see stars. Content with the results I finally fell asleep.
posted by What's going on?!? at
12:07 am
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home