Americans in Hyderabad to ‘give thanks’

Hyderabad: A growing expatriate community in the city and an increased interest in international culture has made it easier for holidays like Thanksgiving to be celebrated away from home, say American expats.

Traditionally celebrated in Canada and the United States on the fourth Thursday of November each year, Thanksgiving is an annual festival heavily laden with cultural significance, a time for family and friends to come together. It is said to be additionally special this year with Thursday also being the first full day of Hanukkah.

Nicole Wisler, an American currently wor-king with an NGO in the city, feels that the place is not important as long as the spirit of the festival is alive.

“Thanksgiving is not about where you spend it as long as you have your family and friends around you. I have my family visiting, so it’s not really very different from being at home,” she said.

Others say that in the absence of one’s family, having a large community of other expats helps. “Of course, it’s hard to celebrate Thanksgiving away from home, but having a community with whom to celebrate sort of makes up for it.

It won’t be the same but there will be a sense of togetherness at least,” said Alex Williams, an investment banker who is spending his first Thanksgiving in Hyderabad.

With most star properties in the city including Taj Vivanta, Novotel, Westin and Park Hyatt designing special menus for Thursday, Thanksgiving dishes like roast turkey, corn breads, cranberry sauce and collards, sauces and stuffing will be easily available.

They certainly won’t be missing out on the feast part of the festival, assured executive chef of Westin, Steffan Dawson.

“There is a lot of excitement about Thanksgiving here at the hotel. Our restaurants are booked almost full. We are seeing an increase in footfall year after year,” he added.