Thanksgiving morning we saw a spectacular sunrise. The sun had its golden and pinkish halo as it rose above the horizon in the East. The day was quiet, as the waves gently caressed the beach. What an incredible way to begin a very special day. We spent Thanksgiving with family and friends, talking and enjoying each other's company. We ordered the Oferta de Accion de Gracias from EC Bakery. They cooked a fabulous pavo (turkey) for us along with arroz con gandules (rice with peas), batata (incredibly delicious sweet potato), and flan. To this Puerto Rican inflected menu, we added a pumpkin pie, cornbread dressing and cranberries.
We also played music, a traditional activity in Puerto Rican households. Families gather around and those that play instruments, play! I played the cuatro and tiple and Ted the bongo and everyone else joined in also with claves, bells, guiro or seed pods. We sang and played and laughed and played some more. What a joyous time together.
Two of our guests were from Columbia and so we discussed with them the origins of Thanksgiving and our gifts from those steadfast pilgrims who came to the new world seeking freedom of religion and liberty. No other country has been founded on such basic beliefs. And though, the first Thanksgiving was held many years prior to the founding of the country, Thanksgiving continues to this day as the most important celebration of our freedoms and historic past. We all agreed, God Bless America.
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