Third of July

Our Independence Day Festivities this year fell on the 3rd of July instead of the 4th so that it could be an "open base" event. That means that anyone (except those with passports from countries we aren't friends with) are welcome to come on base and get a little "taste" of America.  The day started with a parade, then I met a few of my students so that they could bypass the hour long time, we had a picnic followed by the base fireworks and lastly our own little fireworks show in the parking lot. What a long, hot and fun day!

Glorious, American picnic food! Delicious! Great grandmas potato salad turned out perfect!

 

Pizza is pretty expensive out in town so whenever we have these open base events, the line for donuts and pizza is usually over an hour long! They bring the ovens out into the street and are making and baking them right there as fast as they can. I often see Japanese people walking around with a stack of 3 pizzas and 3 dozen donuts, tied together, one in each hand. I'm glad we're not the only ones who act crazy in this country.

 Picnic festivities. Bobbi, Nikky, Kyle and Ann.

 

Fireworks on the football field with thousands of other people. I enjoyed the fireworks, but could have done without the soundtrack. We started with a little Hendrick's national anthem, but then went downhill with Ghostbusters and Indiana Jones theme music. I suppose that is American, but even I, the music-illiterate, could have chosen a better soundtrack. Oh well, kinda glad we couldn't hear it so well.

Finally, a good old-fashioned try-not-to-blow-your-finger-off illegal street fireworks. God Bless America!