Beyond Food
When you hear the word “Thanksgiving,” most people instantly think of food. However, there is more to the holiday than just gorging on turkey and mashed potatoes until you hate yourself.
“I like coming together as a family and talking about what has happened over the past year,” said Peter Parkes, an HCC student. Parkes’s family has many Thanksgivings traditions that he enjoys. “Every year we watch ‘Monty Python and the Holy Grail’ and we listen to ‘Alice’s Restaurant’ as we eat.” He added that his family has watched “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” so many times that they can quote the entire film.
Martin Jose, a student at HCC, likes the time of year more than the holiday itself. “I love all the foliage,” he said, “There is this festive atmosphere. Everyone is in this great Thanksgiving mood.” He likes to take walks and absorbs the ambience that Thanksgiving has to offer.
Photo by Stephane Venne.
Another student at HCC, Jessye Amoroso, likes getting together with friends and family. She gets to see all of the people who are important in her life but she is more excited about seeing their pets: “I get to see everyone’s puppies!”
“I love going home once I am all full,” said Maria Vasilopoulos, an HCC student. “After I see my family I go over my boyfriend, Jon’s, house and play board games.” She enjoys splitting her time on Thanksgiving between everyone who is important in her life.
HCC student, Anot Ifrach, said her favorite part of Thanksgiving is, “Spending time with family and the stories we all share.” It is an opportunity to hear what her family has been dealing with over since she saw them last.
There is more to Thanksgiving than food. It’s is an opportunity for people to get together with their families and enjoy the fall season once more before winter takes over and ushers in a time of Christmas carols and peppermint flavored everything.