The Christmas markets opened on Thursday, 22 November, which, back home, was Thanksgiving, a holiday 2nd only to the markets' namesake. For many of us here, it was our first time away from home for the big holiday, and, obviously, it was just another day to Austrians, so most of us worked that day. But, that didn't waiver our determination to hold a traditional Thanksgiving feast abroad. We scheduled our celebration for the following Sunday and each person was asked to contribute something to share the task of preparation and service. After morning Mass with a friend, I arrived at the hostess' apartment. As soon as the door opened, that oh so familiar smell of roasting turkey hit me. A few of the girls had been up early to start the cooking, and people slowly drifted in after noon. All in all, we celebrated with nearly 20 people, American, Austrian, and British, including some visiting boyfriends (yay, more guys!), with turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, string beans, roasted parsnips, Bourbon -glazed carrots, cranberry sauce, gravy, stuffed eggplant, stuffing, olive salad, pumpkin pie, apple pie, apple crisp, chocolate chip cookies, sticky toffee cake, and wine. Not bad, eh? We spent the entire afternoon in friendly conversation, with lots of laughs in between, just enjoying each other's company. We ended the night playing a few fun games, and even though we were thousands of miles and hours away from the U.S., I don't think it could have been bettered.
Sitting in a circle, looking at each of the people around me, seeing everyone laugh and smile, talk and listen, act and react, I became overcome with an intense feeling of complete, utter happiness. I've written before that my biggest fear in returning to Austria was that I would have a hard time making friends and would spend a lot of time by myself, and, in the course of only 2 months, through an orientation, through busy work schedules, through homesickness, through adjusting to a new home, through living admist a foreign language, through trials and living "in the real world," I've found myself among a group of beautiful girls, among wonderful friends, among a close family. Perhaps it was because of all of those challenges that we bonded to each other, to persevere and adapt together, but I like to think that, by the Grace of God, these terrific people were brought together in this small city at the foothills of the mighty Alps at the same time and for the same reason, and I've been lucky enough to be a part of it. That's what Thanksgiving is all about, right? Looking back on your life, and seeing the moments when you've been blessed, when a burden has been lifted, when life aligns better than you could have ever hoped. This year, more than ever, I understand the immense power of friendship, which has bound us into a single unit. I think we've reached the point where we're totally comfortable with each other, and the freedom we can express amongst each other is so incredible to share. Thanks to them, I'm completely content with being here. Thanks to them, I'm home. Observing my circle of friends yesterday, seeing that radiant happiness on each of their faces, feeling the comfort, realizing how each of them has touched my life in such a short time, leaves an indelible mark on my heart, one that I will carry with me for as long as I live - when I think back in my old age of this time in Austria, it will by my feelings and fond memories of my great friends here that will come to mind.
Another day abroad, another reason to appreciate just how great life, and the people who make life wonderful, is. And so it goes, and so it goes...
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| "Die Gegend von Salzburg halte ich für die schönsten der Erde." - Alexander von Humboldt |
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