Thanksgiving

Koreans celebrate Thanksgiving in September.  It is called Chuseok.  This is a major Korean holiday.  People travel out of the city and head "home" to their roots.  They pay homage to their ancestors who are dead (like memorial day) and then have a Korean dinner.  It is definitely a holiday spent with family with more of a western feel.  So, when American Thanksgiving comes around it is business as usual for the Koreans.

We spent our American Thanksgiving with friends here on base.  Only Expats celebrate Thanksgiving, so it was a quiet day on base, normal day in Korea.  We had a lovely work Thanksgiving dinner for all the soldiers in Lane's unit on Wednesday.  Many of the soldiers are here alone, so a home cooked meal is a big deal.  It is also a time for the Katusas (Korean soldiers who choose to serve in the US army for their military commitment) to enjoy an American tradition as well as American food.

Thanksgiving lunch with the soldiers.

Joshua, Tracie (Lane's co-worker), Lane

 

The boys practicing their Korean with one of the Katusas.

The following day we celebrated Thanksgiving with a large group of friends.  We held it at Lane's office, just like the previous day as no one has a space big enough.  It was quite the party, and a great way to get over the loneliness.  We played games, watched a magic show, ate good food, and visited with good friends.  It was a great day.

Popcorn game from Family Fun.  It was a blast.

Our magician.  It was my first Thanksgiving magic show.  You?

Our magician, who was a co-worker of Jeremy's, teaching the kids some tricks.

The dessert table.  Yum!