It was Fall of 2019 and Beijing was beautiful, with ripe persimmons hanging from trees like lanterns and golden gingko trees glowing in the park. But as the days grew shorter and the arctic chill set in, my spirits sank. Thanksgiving was just around the corner, and I longed for home. It was our first holiday away from the U.S. during our two-year assignment of living in Beijing for my husband’s job.
In the U.S., there’s a collective anticipation that revolves around America’s most celebrated holiday. Thanksgiving was just a regular workday in China, and I missed the hustle and bustle of shopping and comparing recipes with 300 million other people. I craved the traditional feast. But even if I could find a turkey, it wouldn’t fit in my apartment’s Easy-Bake-sized oven. I made reservations at a local restaurant that promised a full Thanksgiving buffet instead.
Kirsten Harrington 