Thanksgiving: Are we missing out in Australia?
by Graham Wright
(Encounter Bay South Australia)
Are we missing out in Australia? Whether or not we are retired, at about this time of year, I'm beginning to feel that those of us who do not live in America are missing out on something.
It's for sure that we have our own unique cultural festivities in Australia:
For example: Have you heard of the world famous Melbourne Cup? Only in Australia would there be such magnificent celebrations, including fashions, food, wine - and yes, public holidays. But, when everything is said and done, all of this is just for a horse race!!
Or how about our Henley-on-Todd. This is a full blown sailing and water sport regatta in Alice Springs right in the centre of Australia. The atmosphere on the Todd River is awesome. The yacht races and the other features are exciting. And the partying continues for days. Thousands of people fly in from all over Australia to witness the spectacle. Again, you see, this could only happen in Australia. Much of central Australia is waterless desert. The Todd River itself almost never has any water in it. But the event goes on regardless and ahs become an awesome cultural classic!
Yes, like our American friends, we have Christmas and New Year and Easter and other special days and holidays. It's true that we don't have July 4th, but we do have an Australia Day. It's also true that many of these celebrations include sumptuous quantities of food and drink and family and fun.
What we don't have in Australia that sometimes makes me feel like we are missing out is a season of Thanksgiving. We don't have turkey and Cranbury sauce and exuberant gatherings of friends and relatives. And we don't have a day that is dedicated to giving thanks for all the good things that we have in our land.
And that's why, at this time of the year, retired or not, I feel a bit like we are missing out here in Australia!
Graham Wright, Encounter Bay, South Australia
