The New Year’s Dinner tradition continues to be one of the major times of the year when Albanians like to eat a lot and gorge themselves on all sorts of foods and drinks. Though it has diminished somewhat, I have to admit that this is true in my family as well. But most importantly, recently I’ve come to realize that some of the eating has another, more sentimental value to it.
My Dad and the Turkey
The other day my parents went out to do some New Year’s food shopping, and upon my return to the house I discovered that they had bought a large 7 kg turkey. As I looked at the massive amount of poultry meat that my dad was cleaning, I became even more cognizant of the painful fact that someone would have to consume it all somehow, though not me! So, respectfully, I asked my dad to explain how the turkey would be consumed since I was not planning on eating it, nor where the other members of the family, as far as I knew.
His answer was not what I expected. I was very aware of the fact that the main reason we had gotten a turkey, was because he had wanted it in the first place. I knew he enjoys eating the turkey meat. I had witnessed that fact on many New Year’s dinners, but the short explanation that he gave, shed much light on his persistence.
After I asked him, he immediately went on to tell me the story of how his own father (my grandfather) would buy two turkeys every year for his family. He would go back to his home village and get the live turkeys himself and then help prepare them for his whole family. Though I never got to see what my dad had seen his father do, I have gotten to see my father do the same for our family.
So, upon further reflection, I discovered that I had a distinct desire for turkey meat. That is why, I have decided that this year and in the years to come, I will help prepare the turkey because it’s part of my family’s tradition at New Year’s. Yes, I am crazy for turkey!
I recently started dating an Albanian man. His family moved to the states in 2004. I have been hearing negative feedback about Albanian men, that they are abusive/possessive. He has not given me any signs of that. Matter of fact he’s been nothing but honest/sincere unlike American men. He has a childhood sweetheart that he is still in touch with and I’m concerned that I will never get his heart because of her, as I’ve heard Albanian men are very loyal to one woman. His childhoood sweetheart is Albanian as well. Would his family ever accept an American? Please tell me more about Albanian men, thank you.
Dear Nicole,
thanks for writing. I don’t know how much of help will I be but I’ll share my few thoughts with you.
First off, judging from the fact that he has been in the states for a relatively short time, means that he is still homesick, and may be that is why he is still so attached to those moments, places or in this case “people” that remind him of what he had while in Albania. But that does not mean that he is not ready to start over again if the new experiences and people around him provide him with memories that become dear to him.
He is a good man, and you can judge his character by the people that he likes to hang around with. If his friends are people that you don’t like that much then probably there are aspects of his character that you may want to consider again. Nevertheless, this is very hard to judge since I know so little of who he is. If you need more of my opinion, than please do write me at my address eplaku (@) gmail.com
Me kishte marre malli per kaposhat….bravo:)
Ahhh the good old memories, slaughtering a turkey in the bathroom. Come one Elvis, stop complaining. At least you don’t have to eat tasteless meat like millions of folks here in USA. Seriously the food has no taste here.
Trust me Aldo, I’m not really complaining. Though I don’t particularly prefer Turkey meat, I prefer what it signifies. As far as the quality of food is concerned, I much prefer Albanian cocking, but there are still some things that I miss from the US. Anyway, thanks for your comment.