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I first published this story one year ago—July 4, 2019. Today, here in Spain, one year later, I find myself in a similar situation. It’s July 4, 2020.
July 4, 2019
Today feels like any ordinary day. It feels like yesterday. It feels like tomorrow.
I woke up, ate breakfast, and continued with my usual activity.
I don’t smell any BBQ wafting through the air. There are no firecrackers popping in the distance. The drums and applause of local parades are nowhere to be heard. Stores and government offices are open as usual.
Today feels like an ordinary day.
No Ordinary Day
But, today is not an ordinary day. I am American, and today is my national holiday.
It’s the 4th of July—Independence Day! It’s the celebration of freedom.
But, there will be no picnic. There will be no fireworks. There will be no parade for this American gal.
I am living abroad—in another country—far from the United States of America. My native land is too far away, across the Atlantic Ocean, to hear the firecrackers and the band instruments.
Most of my life has been spent living abroad. You would think that I would be used to not celebrating my national holidays.
However, I am not.
Something Deep Stirs
When I wake up and turn the calendar to “July 4,” something deep inside this American soul stirs—drawing me back to my roots.
Something in my heart longs for a crowded gathering with dear friends and family in a familiar backyard or park—the smell of grilled hotdogs and hamburgers. We don’t hesitate to fill our bellies with watermelon, jello, corn on the cob, deviled eggs, potato salad, and the other usual “side dishes.” Afterwards, at dusk, we walk or drive to a prime spot, one with the best view. With excitement and anticipation, we pull out our folding lawn chairs and wait—wait for the big display.
The fireworks display. Together, we “ooh” and “aah” over every colorful, explosive spray in the night sky—wondering if we might be able to put out our hand and catch some falling embers. We jump and shudder from time to time, even cover our ears, to protect ourselves from the thunderous booms. Children stand in awe, gazing upwards with sparkles in their eyes, admiring the majestic display. It’s magical.
No Magic?
But, today, there will be no fireworks for this American gal.
When living in France, I could easily wait ten days for July 14, Bastille Day, La Fête Nationale. Similar parades and firework displays hit most major cities. Somehow, my American roots and longings could be subdued—satisfied.
This year, however, I’m not in France, and I’m not in America. Rather, I am an expat living in Spain.
Today, feels like an ordinary day. For me, that means continuing to unpack boxes in my new house—picking up where I left off last night.
A Cultural Lesson
Perhaps a cultural lesson is in store for me and for you. When is the Spanish national holiday?
October 12 is the Fiesta Nacional de España. This National Holiday of Spain commemorates when Christopher Columbus arrived in America. Wow! There’s even a link to my native American culture. We celebrate Columbus Day in my homeland.
Here is what I found in my research about this celebration in Spain:
“One of the highlights of the day is a stunning aerial display by the Spanish Air Force acrobatics team, the Patrulla Águila. The aeroplanes let out red and yellow smoke to mimic the Spanish flag. One curiosity to look out for is the Spanish Legion, a unit of the Spanish Army whose mascot is a goat. Soldiers typically dress up an actual goat in a cap so that it can take part in the parade. The city tends to be quiet on October 12, as families enjoy the day off together and some shops and bars close.“
www.theculturetrip.com
I Will Have to Wait
I guess that I will have to wait three months to see if there will be picnics and fireworks in Spain on October 12.
For now, I will celebrate in my heart today, on this 4th of July. It feels like an ordinary day, but it is not.
July 4, 2020
Thankfully, tomorrow, we have some friends coming over for a barbecue. I plan to pull out some Kansas City Masterpiece barbecue sauce from my pantry stock to celebrate. Whoever said we had to celebrate on July 4? 🙂
Last year, our son, David, was traveling in the U.S. He got to enjoy the 4th of July in the United States of America with our family.
I yelled across the ocean, “Honey, eat some grilled hotdogs and light up a few sparklers for us!”
This year, David isn’t in the U.S. He’s here with us in Spain. Our family is together, and we will celebrate. We will celebrate our freedom. Whether we have firecrackers, barbecue sauce, deviled eggs, or anything else, it doesn’t matter. Wherever we live or wherever we are in the world, today is the 4th of July!
—The Cultural Story-Weaver
Let’s Weave Cultures!
When is your country’s national holiday? How do you celebrate? If you live in another country, what do you do to continue celebrating your own national holiday back in your home country?
We invite you to tell us your own cultural stories and global adventures . . . as you engage with the world, breaking down barriers, building bridges, and “weaving cultures!” Write about them in the comment box below.
