Member-only story
My Independence Day Revival Abroad
The Question: While in the confines of a foreign country, what can one do to celebrate America’s Independence?
The Answer: Commemorate in one’s own special way.
As an American in Frankfurt, it was incumbent upon me to sing songs of patriotism and wag my tail in celebration of my beloved country’s independence on July 4th.
Although the setting was different — stuffy trains, foreign smells, and ubiquitous Germans snacking on bread — the mentality was the same. It was the fourth of July, a time to celebrate America.
Friday, July 4th, 2008
I found myself lacking the Fourth of July essentials: fireworks, barbecues, ballgames, family, friends, and public drunkenness. And, it was a regular workday to boot. But the decision was made almost instantaneously to let this serve only as a minor impediment.
I would begin my morning commute imagining a Boston Pops performance with a spectacular fireworks display on the Esplanade. The child in me would have to surface in order to create a magical Fourth celebration — in my own head.
I was off to a decent start, too, when halfway through my commute I realized that not a single soul on the U5 train was sharing my enthusiasm. Wax mannequins and corpses had more life than some of these people. But I…
