Most American embassies all around the world open their doors to American expatriates every July 4th to celebrate the independence gained over 200 years ago. Yesterday we had a fantastic time with our fellow Americans celebrating that independence with barbeque, watermelon eating contests, live music, football (and yes, I mean real American football), and a lovely array of imported American goodies like Doritos and Cherry Coke.
About 500 of us gathered at the embassy's American club situated in the heart of the city. Once you step through the gates, and the very serious security, you are officially on American soil; and it feels like it. Large open fields of beautifully manicured grass, nice wide sidewalks, a proper parking lot with spaces marked off with white lines (the only one you will find in this country), and even its own grocery store full of American goods.
It was a nice break from life here. Today is the 5th, and it's back to work. Only 364 more days till the next time we step back on American soil on July 4, 2010.
On another note, Naomi has now officially lived longer outside of the U.S. than in it. She has adjusted well to her international life. Hopefully her little brain is learning two languages at the same time. She enjoys the local food and loves all the attention of the local people who don't see many little white babies. People gush over her and call her things like queen, dolly, and princess. They buy her things when we are at stores (such as apples) and love to carry her around and take pictures of her on their cell phones. We are just worried about when we come back to the U.S. and she is no longer the center of everyone's attention wherever we go; now that will be culture shock!
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So glad you got to celebrate the 4th on American soil. It had to be a great time for you to see other American's as well.
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