The holidays have probably been underway for weeks already in the States (Christmas music has probably been on since Halloween), but this past weekend finally started feeling like the holiday season here in Vientiane. On Saturday, I got a little taste of America at the annual WIG (Women’s International Group) Bazaar. This carnival was held all Saturday afternoon, with arts and crafts for sale, a raffle, games for kids, and lots of food, including stalls run by many of the local embassies. Naturally, the American Embassy had the best baked goods, so I went back several times for cookies and cupcakes, after sampling some of the all-American chili.
Around the Thanksgiving table.
On Sunday the feasting continued with a big Thanksgiving dinner at our house. Fourteen people gathered around our dining room table–mostly American but also Swedish and Australian–to celebrate one of my favorite American holidays. Despite hurried day-of cooking and inevitable worries about having enough food, the table was absolutely overflowing, and the leftovers are still in the fridge. Our feast included: turkey (special ordered from a local ex-pat grocer), stuffing (32 hand-shredded cups of bread), cranberry sauce (with pineapple), mashed potatoes (made by yours truly), gravy, green bean casserole, brussels sprouts, gratin, carrots, 2 types of salad, sweet potato latkes (with applesauce), and Brie biscuits. 
And for dessert: pumpkin pie, chocolate cake, shortbread cookies, and a Swedish pancake dessert. In proper Thanksgiving style, everyone was completely stuffed by the end, so it was a definite success. Between the food coma, the Christmas lights strung around our window, and the good friends gathered around the table, I really felt as though I was at home for the holidays.
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