July 4th, British Style
Instead of dumping tea, we drink it. Simon, our hilarious tutor for Student Affairs, provides us with red, white, and blue tea treats. As an Australian, he understands the colonial attitude and thoroughly enjoys recording our ineloquent responses to questions about 4th of July traditions, adding in a “Stupid redcoats!” every few minutes.
Forget the grill and lawn chairs. The Brits celebrate in style, and in honor of our mostly American group, the Hall gives us a semi-formal dinner. While our friends and family back home eat watermelon slices in shorts and flip-flops, we use the proper forks for different courses, careful not to drop any mandarin cake on our dresses or ties.
Fireworks and English weather don’t mix too well. Thankfully, the rain stops for about half an hour, allowing for a few sparklers and small explosions. No, it isn’t quite dark, but we know that windows of dryness are too rare around here for us to wait any longer.
Un-American? Perhaps. A fun celebration of cultural differences and a great day all-around? You bet.
Photo courtesy of my wonderful roommate, Caitlyn Girardi.
