Happy Thanksgiving!

On Sunday, I celebrated Thanksgiving with a group of fellow volunteers. Since the actual holiday falls on a Thursday and is (duh) not celebrated in Morocco, we had to meet on the weekend. I woke up early in my town, got ready, and left by 8 am. I traveled about 2 1/2 hours by taxi to my friend Mandy's house and helped out in the kitchen. I worked on the garlic mashed potatoes, while others pitched in on the salad, green beans, stuffing, and the turkey. The turkey was purchased by Mandy from her host family. They delivered it to her, dead, but not as you buy yours from the supermarket. After spending a night alone with the dead bird, Mandy requested her family help her out a bit. They chopped off its head and feet and de-feathered it for her. Mandy had a pile of feathers in her kitchen when we arrived and we all festively wore them (after a good washing with bleach).

Mandy put the turkey in her tiny little electric oven around noon and basted it with chicken broth. We decided not to stuff the turkey with the stuffing because Chase is a vegetarian, so we made the stuffing later. Since there was only one oven, the pies and dinner rolls were made the day before and the stuffing was made last. I brought lemon bars that went with the pumpkin pie and chocolate pie. Everyone helped out in the kitchen and those who didn't, did the dishes later.

We ate dinner around 5 or 5:30 and after digesting for a while, we all went up to the roof for the ceremonial "tossing of turkey carcass over the roof." Everyone had been drinking wine so it seemed like a good idea at the time. Gavin heaved the carcass over the roof as we all watched. The pack of stray dogs in town must have ate well that night.

Returning downstairs, I pulled out my "pin the tail on the turkey" game and we sat around discussing the rules. With twelve people and only ten tails, we had to make a tough decision. Some of us thought it a good idea to vote two people out of the game, Survivor style. But, others thought it best if we all partnered up. In the end, we made two extra tails so everyone had a chance to play. We set up one room for the game and announced the rules. "Blindfolded. Five spins. NO SHAKING. Audience in the "gallery" may shout out directions to player, but wrong directions may be given, so think about who you trust." The first player was the hostess, Mandy, who went the wrong way down a hallway and ended up losing the game. We all had a really good time playing that game.

We also played card games and Mafia. Mafia is where you pass out cards and depending on which card you receive, you have to play out a certain character. There is Mafia, who "kill" people in the game, the Sheriff, who investigates, and the Doctor who can save lives. All the others are townspeople who are trying to win the game before the Mafia kill them all off.

All in all, it was a great Thanksgiving and I am thankful I was able to celebrate the holiday with such a fun group of volunteers. We had good food and good company. I will be thinking of you all back home on Thursday as I am leading my women's group in exercise and teaching English.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving and check out my new photos. See you all in less than a month!