It was a pleasant surprise to discover just how many of my English friends remembered that July 4th was the American Independence Day. I received several congratulatory texts on my mobile phone and lots of messages from friends. It's all just more proof that American culture has permeated English culture. I did dress in the colors of the American flag that day (also the colors of the British flag) and, just for fun, wore as a headband a Stars and Stripes themed bandana I'd received as a farewell gift from my former editor.
One friend, Steve, even insisted on throwing an American Independence Day party which, due to his schedule, was held on Saturday. I wasn't sure what to expect when he picked me up to go shopping for food that evening. I'd invited a few people and thought we'd have a casual evening watching the film "Independence Day," as he'd first suggested. When I asked him, therefore, what he'd done that day, I was shocked when he replied, "I've spent the whole day getting ready for this party."
Indeed, Steve and his flatmate Phil spent Saturday driving around the city searching for American-themed items. They borrowed an American-flag inspired blanket from a friend, somewhere found one of those silly Uncle Sam hats, they'd bought a bag of balloons and blown up all of the red, white and blue ones, and they'd created an iPod playlist of American songs.
The evening's activities included a recitation of "The Pledge of Allegiance" and the singing of the National Anthem. I was impressed that Carmen knew most of the words and that everyone knew the last two lines, although the others just sang nonsense words loudly during the rest of the song as I shouted the lyrics above the din. It wasn't disrespectful, just very lively. When we finished the song the group erupted in cheers and loud chants of "U.S.A! U.S.A.!" It was all quite heartwarming, really, though one or two of them were heard to quip, "We're celebrating the 4th of July because it's the day we got rid of the Americans."
"But Steph," Steve said as we drove to buy food just an hour before the party began, "there's one place where we failed. Nowhere in the entire city of Nottingham can you find an American flag."
However, the ever-resourceful friends decided to craft one out of construction paper, and when my friend Carmen arrived early they set her to work cutting out 50 tiny white stars. The result was stupendous, and about 15 people partied the night away in a truly American-themed flat.
I brought my Arizona-flag bandana for further decoration (another farewell gift) and served up Chicago-style hot dogs, watermelon, Pringles potato chips and Dr. Pepper floats (we couldn't find root beer). And Budweiser, although some of the more discerning types scoffed at the cheap American beer and opted for the Danish Carlsberg Export, instead.
Everyone enjoyed the American-style food, though it took some convincing to get them to try gherkins (what we call pickles) with the sausage. I didn't have bright green relish, sadly, but a jar of sweet piccalilli was about the right color and texture. We also piled on American mustard, chopped onions, tomato wedges, peppers and celery salt.
The final event of the evening was a showing of "The Karate Kid," which narrowly edged out the other film option for the evening, "Independence Day." It seemed my friends were more interested in watching Mr. Miyagi kick some bullies tails than they were in watching Will Smith kick the aliens' tails. This being England, we watched it on the requisite flat screen TV, and since most of these guys are lovable sound geeks, they also set up speakers in order to get the full effect of the glorious 1984 soundtrack, synthesizers and all. Steve is nobly assisted in this photo with a guy generally known as Irish Pete, since he grew up in Ireland. However, Irish Pete is also half-American, and so I insisted that, for the duration of the party, he be known as Irish-American Pete. It seemed only right.
Wow! I think you may be loved and adored by a few Brits over there!
Phil and I are awaiting the call to say we have been nominated for the Turner prize. It was a great night, we should definitely find an excuse (if ever one were needed to party) and do it again soon!!
x
If you like your dogs dragged through the garden can I recommend Lidl's frankfurters - miles better than the stuff they sell in other well known supermarkets. They also sell sport peppers in jars.
And if you want green relish you can now get that in Sainsburys.
Enjoy.
Nottingham Dog Lover