There was no “ewww, cranberry sauce” option, so I am adding my vote here. I would also check the “by cranberry sauce, you mean an extra helping of mashed potatoes, right?” Box if it was there.
Love your posts - they are very reflective of what we've experienced in our short time here. And, in our case, one of us (AKA Lori) has zero patience - but learning fast! (We call it the P-word). Thanks for posting!
Your story about Thanksgiving reminded us of our attempt to assemble a Thanksgiving dinner in Curaçao in 1971. Now, Curaçao was a challenge anyway, as it is a desert island with essentially no agriculture. We knew that a (traditional orange) US pumpkin would be impossible, ditto cranberry sauce. But it was also impossible to find a turkey. And I will be forever bitter at the US state department because we approached them for assistance in getting a turkey, and got no help at all. Fun fact which you probably already know... the Portuguese word for "turkey" is "peru," because centuries ago, people in Portugal thought that's where turkeys came from.
I absolutely love this post! Traditions are so much intertwined in our essence that we don’t really realize it how different they are “across the pond”. Whilst any European will find themselves more or less “at home” for any holiday and custom, the Americas are a whole different continent and world. And we (European lot) thought we knew Americans from the movies and TV but lo and behold, we still learn! I do, with every of your posts. Please keep writing these cultural oddities. I love them so so much! It’s in these difference that we learn the patience of acceptance and we even find ourselves “at home” away from home sometimes.
As a side effect, I’m now desperate for a PBJ and that’s what I’m going to have for dinner, crust off.
Hello--hope all going well. So enjoy your posts! We have a friend who is visiting Portugal in a few weeks also coming to Lisbon. A nice young adult in the restaurant business. I spoke of both of you in Lisbon and he ask where. If you want let me know your address and location, phone and such might be nice to meet up with him. I am sure he would love it if time allows. He is quite the traveler. Name is Anthony. Take care , talk soon!! Send me email--peggyL61@yahoo.com Hugs
I am not a fan of Thanksgiving turkey -- blasphemy, I know -- so I know I'll need to remind myself regularly that finding seemingly common ingredients will not always be easy and that I'll just need to adjust my expectations.
Is there turkey at all? What size are they? I know from a combination of relatives and cookbooks that the rare Italian turkey is both small and expensive.
Yes, there's turkey. Available for sure at local butcher shops, possibly also at supermarkets. Sizes can vary. More important, though, is the size of your oven. Which, in all likelihood, will be small.
There was no “ewww, cranberry sauce” option, so I am adding my vote here. I would also check the “by cranberry sauce, you mean an extra helping of mashed potatoes, right?” Box if it was there.
Is this deficiency a genetic problem in your family 😉
Hahahaha - no, it’s really just me. Many of my family members would agree with you that I must be a mutation of some kind.
Well I must fess up, I don't like turkey so I'm not one to talk!
Love your posts - they are very reflective of what we've experienced in our short time here. And, in our case, one of us (AKA Lori) has zero patience - but learning fast! (We call it the P-word). Thanks for posting!
Your story about Thanksgiving reminded us of our attempt to assemble a Thanksgiving dinner in Curaçao in 1971. Now, Curaçao was a challenge anyway, as it is a desert island with essentially no agriculture. We knew that a (traditional orange) US pumpkin would be impossible, ditto cranberry sauce. But it was also impossible to find a turkey. And I will be forever bitter at the US state department because we approached them for assistance in getting a turkey, and got no help at all. Fun fact which you probably already know... the Portuguese word for "turkey" is "peru," because centuries ago, people in Portugal thought that's where turkeys came from.
I did not know that about the origin of Peru. Fascinating.
I absolutely love this post! Traditions are so much intertwined in our essence that we don’t really realize it how different they are “across the pond”. Whilst any European will find themselves more or less “at home” for any holiday and custom, the Americas are a whole different continent and world. And we (European lot) thought we knew Americans from the movies and TV but lo and behold, we still learn! I do, with every of your posts. Please keep writing these cultural oddities. I love them so so much! It’s in these difference that we learn the patience of acceptance and we even find ourselves “at home” away from home sometimes.
As a side effect, I’m now desperate for a PBJ and that’s what I’m going to have for dinner, crust off.
Hope the PB&J was as good as you wanted it to be!
It was, and I even had an accompanying glass of iced rice milk because I am a cultural trope Millennial too :)
😆
You are thoughtful human beings! Love these reflections. I am learning patience even before we leave. :)
Hello--hope all going well. So enjoy your posts! We have a friend who is visiting Portugal in a few weeks also coming to Lisbon. A nice young adult in the restaurant business. I spoke of both of you in Lisbon and he ask where. If you want let me know your address and location, phone and such might be nice to meet up with him. I am sure he would love it if time allows. He is quite the traveler. Name is Anthony. Take care , talk soon!! Send me email--peggyL61@yahoo.com Hugs
I am not a fan of Thanksgiving turkey -- blasphemy, I know -- so I know I'll need to remind myself regularly that finding seemingly common ingredients will not always be easy and that I'll just need to adjust my expectations.
I'm with you. I prefer to brine some chickens.
Is there turkey at all? What size are they? I know from a combination of relatives and cookbooks that the rare Italian turkey is both small and expensive.
Yes, there's turkey. Available for sure at local butcher shops, possibly also at supermarkets. Sizes can vary. More important, though, is the size of your oven. Which, in all likelihood, will be small.