It can be tricky to leave behind your home country, but continuing to celebrate traditions that are near to your heart is one way to feel “at home” wherever you are. As we moved abroad, there were family traditions that I am committed to keep. They are part of what I love about being a mom and having kids. I love that we look forward to various traditions through out the year. It’s so fun to hear the kids share their memories and laugh about their “childhood”. If you are moving far away, continuing to celebrate your core traditions can give meaning to your days and especially help your children to feel at home, even when they are away.
Entering into our first holiday season away from the United States, I knew I wanted to make it special. Thanksgiving back in the United States is a holiday that we associate with family gatherings and delicious, home cooked food. Our family would alternate years between sharing it with my parents and siblings and spending it with William’s parents and siblings. No matter where, it was spent with people that we love.
I love to cook and cooking for a special event is even more fun than just cooking a daily meal for my family. So as Thanksgiving season began to enter, I was adamant that we would continue to have a traditional Thanksgiving meal and take the time to give thanks for all that we have been blessed to experience this year. An actual Thanksgiving dinner in the Amazon.
You’re Invited to join us next year!
In future years, I’d love to make it available to anyone who wants to come join us for a special holiday away from home. I imagine guests, perhaps expats living in Ecuador, maybe families or individuals traveling the world looking to spend the Thanksgiving weekend with other “gringos”, who come to the Yachana for all that we have to offer here as a lodge in the Amazon jungle, plus a special, from scratch, traditional meal. Including the pies. Of course. If you have any thoughts or are interested in coming, certainly let me know as it’s something we’re planning on for 2024! Celebrate Thanksgiving away from home with us.
A Day of Thanks
We opted for chicken, as it’s readily available, but I did follow Alton Brown’s directions and brine. If you’ve ever struggled with a dry bird, check out his instructions. The brine adds moisture and yummy flavor and his cooking time and temperatures are worth following. It was so good. I wish we’d done an extra chicken, just for the joy of leftovers! The meal was rounded out with mashed potatoes, candied sweet potatoes, sourdough rolls, homemade (tropical flavors like guayaba and arasa’!) jams, green beans, jello fruit salad and of course, pie. Pumpkin, Dutch apple, Blackberry and Lemon Meringue. The biggest challenge we had was finding enough pots and pans and oven space in our small kitchen! I ended up collaborating with Efrain, the main cook at the Yachana, to use a few things from their kitchen and we ate our meal in their beautiful, thatch roof “comedor”. It was a beautiful space to enjoy our special meal.
It was an epic day. We ate the traditional foods, spoke English, shared stories and memories and all while surrounded by the hot humidity and jungle sounds of the Amazon. I’m so grateful to be here. Living in Ecuador was a long time goal for our family, but finding the Yachana and being here in this specific place, with the community that is here and with the purpose to help and educate and experience the Amazon jungle has been a blessing that I couldn’t have dreamed of. It’s beginning to feel like home.
