All I Did Was Ask
How Thanksgiving Became Our Bridge Across Borders
We love meeting new people!
It’s always been a part of who we are; welcoming people into our world and connecting everywhere we go. Truly listening and letting others know they’ve been seen and heard is a huge gift to others. And it really doesn’t take much, if you have an open heart.
Honestly, we just love people!
Not many countries around the world celebrate Thanksgiving. But I had no idea that the holiday is so well-known, at least in the countries where we’ve lived. Seriously, it only takes asking if anyone is going to get together, and the next thing you know, people are volunteering to find a venue, cook this dish, bring that dish, and suddenly, we’re celebrating together.
It is massive fun!
The original owners of The Buzz Bar in Sarandé were an American couple. They started the inaugural Thanksgiving Potluck of global travelers in 2022, our first year away from the States.
We’d been living in Sarandé for over two months, but people showed up that day we’d never laid eyes on.
Estimates were at least 150 showed up that first year! That’s a lot of eyes we had not seen spread throughout the city and farm land.
The original owners have since sold the business and moved on, but the beautiful thing?
The new owners kept the tradition alive, hosting the gathering every year.
This place, though…
I could cry every time I see this photo.
Robert and Gena are the most welcoming, warm, loving couple you will ever meet. After running a very successful catering business in Florida for over 20 years, they decided to move back to Albania and be closer to family.
They started this restaurant after COVID and have welcomed more expats and nomads than you could possibly imagine. They are the ‘go to’ place when you arrive in Sarandé because their food is a-mazing! Not only that, but they can answer any questions you might have. And inevitably, you will run into at least one expat anytime you go there. Typically, a large group of expats gathers for brunch on Sunday mornings beginning around 10:30am. I guarantee you will not be disappointed.
This year, they offered a traditional American Thanksgiving dinner in the late afternoon/evening with all the trimmings. All of our friends staying in Sarandé raved about how good it was, and also how wonderful it was to share their time together at Robert and Gena’s.
We miss them so much!
And these two women!
I had the most amazing time two years ago in Batumi, Georgia, with these two beautiful women!
Again, all I did was post a question in the Expats in Batumi Facebook group asking if anyone or any place had a plan to celebrate American Thanksgiving. I’m not exaggerating, it happened so fast!
Suddenly Jordan from Jordan pipes up with, “Hey! I’ll get a couple of turkeys and cook them. I visited my brother in Texas and saw how to do it right.” Then another friend, Samer, offered to ask his friend about using his bar for the venue.
And these two beautiful women offered to take me shopping and help me cook my pumpkin stuffing and the homemade pumpkin pies from scratch at one of their apartments. The one on the left was from Tbilisi on school break from teaching. And the one on the right, my friend Khatuna, had lived in the United States with her husband for over 20 years, then he passed away. She still owned their home in America, and some of their children still lived in the States, but she decided she wanted to move back to her home country and be near her extended family. We had the most lovely time sharing stories, listening to music, and laughing together. It’s such an amazing memory for me!
Then it was time for the grand event!
Each person brought something to the table, even if it was simply their presence.
We met people from Jordan, Egypt, Ukraine, Norway, Poland, Russia, the Republic of Georgia, Azerbaijan, the United Arab Emirates, and even a fellow American.
So many blessings come when we step out with an open heart and give to one another!
My question to you…
What will you bring to the table to share with others?
…And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It’s more blessed to give than to receive.’ Acts 20:35
My Lil' Sister, you bless me with love and hugs even when you are far away. You have a great talent for welcoming people and writing. ❤️
"All I did was ask" is such a powerful line. It's a reminder that so much connection and kindness is just sitting there, waiting for someone to take that first small step. The fact that 150 people showed up from a Facebook post proves how hungry people are for genuine community. Beautiful story.