Happy Day, America!

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Happy Day, America! Here I am, in a new, yet-to-be-explored region of the world, excited for all of the new and different experiences, and already the program for tonight involves bar-b-que and red-white-and-blue. That’s alright though. Actually, it is one of the reasons I bought my tickets here so soon and impulsively. This will be the third continent Karissa and I have celebrated fourth-of-July on in the last four years. Four years ago, during the last World Cup, we ate watermelon and sang patriotic songs on a beach in Costa Rica. Last year we cheered to America on a beach in Greece, sipping wine coolers, watching the blue water crash on the white sand while turning red in the sun. And so here it is again, a day for a country I find myself spending less and less time actually in and more and more time actually appreciating. Yes, we have many, MANY flaws, but every country does, and even if the schools or politics or morals or what ever you think is turning to crap is turning to crap, you have to admit that we do get some things right. Like hamburgers. And smiling. And hugging. No one hugs like an American hugs, and that is something I will stand up and sing and set off explosions for. And so Karissa and I hopped on her little semi-automatic bike and zoomed off towards the stadium for an American evening grace à the US consulate of Chiang Mai.
Arriving at the stadium, we were greeted by police who were keeping things in order. There was an entrance where we bought our tickets (350 baht/ 10 US for the events and an all-you-can-eat bbq. Nothing more American than stuffing yourself senseless on hotdogs and potato salad!) and stood in line. I saw the security signs, “Please remove all metal objects and open your bags for inspection”, and I thought “Ha! How American, a security check-point! That’s funny they really set the mood up like that.” And then there was the metal detector, and the police patting people down and checking in purses. Not as funny, and yet, so American. I guess “the Al-Qaida” could be hiding anywhere, ready to attack as innocent Americans gorge themselves all-you-can-eat bbq. But I guess if you are to really get into the American spirit, you can’t forget the healthy dose of paranoia.
Upon entering, we were surrounded by as many pretenders as Americans. The band playing was Australian, and the MC had an implaceable accent and though he looked Madagasian to me, he might have just been southern. There were the missionaries; big families all in their matching home-sewn dresses and bonnets. There were the large older American men with their petite Thai wives/girlfriends/female companions, some families on vacation who were passing through, Brits and Aussies looking for something to do, large Thai families who may or may not have known any of the Americans present, and a smattering of younger English teachers like Karissa and me. The barbeque was very good, though the lines to get to it were rather long, and the whole place had a carnival atmosphere about it. They had a raffle to give away prizes (we didn’t win anything) followed by a pie-eating contest. The Australian band played until it got dark enough for the fireworks, while we wandered and enjoyed the carnival. And then came the big event, what we had all been waiting for, the setting off of colorful explosives high in the sky. I think they had maybe two dozen fireworks total. It lasted all of 3 minutes and there was no grand finale. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining, but it just kind of fizzled and stopped. I know it is expensive to put on a show, but if you only have 12 fireworks total, it seems like the way in which they are let off could be a bit more dramatic, perhaps corresponding with music? I don’t know. It would have been nice if the band had at least chosen something a little more American than the slow-dance pop song they played while the fireworks went off. Overall though, it was quite a fun evening of good food and people celebrating. As the sign hung in the US consulate’s booth proclaimed, “Congratulations on your Independence, America!” Indeed.

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Photos

Together again!
3rd International 4th of July together in 4 years... not bad.

BBQ!
All you can eat!

Dancing...
I've always lived by the rule, if someone asks you to dance, you can't say no. Perhaps this guy should have been an exception....

Games!
Red white and blue, are we celebrating Thailand? America? Costa Rica? Britain? Australia? Chile? France? So many countries with this color scheme!

Dinosaurs!
When I think of America, I think of Dinosaurs.

Carnival fun
Nothing like putting your head in a card board figure!

Tug-o-War
Kids being kids.

Pie eating contest
Ain't nothin' more 'Merikan.

Pie!
Eat it!

Congrats.
For a while there we weren't sure you'd make it, but good job America!

Fireworks
Always worth the wait.