4th of July... outside the US of A

The greatest aspects of patriotism are the holidays that bring tradition and culture to its citizens. For Americans living abroad it is only accentuated.

To celebrate those living abroad the US Embassy in Pretoria throw a 4th of July celebration of their own.The American complex is an impressive facility where the Ambassador's house backs up to a full blown community center (with beach volleyball, basketball, and tennis courts, a BBQ (not braai) area, grass field, picnic area, stage, swimming pool and an American flag flying high). As I approached, the typical tall white walls with electrical wire is all Africa from the outside. Yet, at this particular location, a few more security guards adorned the gates. After a passport check the giant steel doors slide open to unveil a little imported sclice of America.

The afternoon included a parade of kids who dressed up their bicycles with pinwheels and red, white and blue streamers, a pie eating contest, and carnival (with pin the feather on the eagle, toss the penny in Lincoln's hat, and watermelon seed spitting contest). There was American food like burgers and hot dogs and brands like Gatorade, Pepsi, Budweiser, Jack Daniels, Oreos and M&Ms. All items not easily found in South Africa.



American Community Center in Pretoria

Pool at Community Center

Budwiser in South Africa

Decorated bike for parade

It is amazing when you think of all of the groups that make up the expat community. There were members of the State Department, US Aid, Peace Corps, Secret Service, and Marines, not to mention all the people in the non-profit world or private sector like myself. A staggering 350 people work at the embassy in Pretoria alone! (and that doesn't include the consulates in Joburg, Cape Town, or Durban)