GOOD FOOD and GOOD NEIGHBORS
May 18th 2011 15:21
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CONDO AL FRESCO DINING
An activity that I really missed from my old neighborhood in Roslindale, MA (part of Boston) was getting together with neighbors for an impromptu cookout or party. In the summer months these were quite frequent. Once a year in the summer we would have a block party where the street was closed to traffic and everyone contributed a dish. I had neighbors of Irish, Italian, Chinese, Hatian, Panamanian and Columbian heritage. So the food was excellent. A lot of good food, wine, beer and a lot of fun.
When I moved to Penang I thought I would never see anything like this again. Amazingly I was wrong. I was fortunate to live next door to a wonderful Chinese couple, Linda and Cheah. One very warm evening Kevin and I cooked something and invited the two of them to join us at a small table in the corridor outside our apartment.It was a simple meal of pasta and some wine. That was the start of a new tradition.We enjoyed it so much that we got a bigger table and took turns cooking various dishes.
As the dining area was in the corridor, our other neighbors could pass by and chat with us. One by one they all asked if they could join us in the future. My neighbors are Chinese, Indian, British, Japanese and Malawian. Since the initial dinner we have had Christmas parties, Chinese New Year parties and parties for no reason at all. Everyone cooks something to share with the others. Our biggest party was for Chinese New Year and was attended by all of our neighbors, their children from out of town and other friends. This type of activity was completely foreign to the local people here, but once they took part in it they relly enjoyed themselves. I must point out that it is the norm for neighbors never to interact with each other and to be a little distrustful. In a condominium it is a more secure and less threatening atmosphere than living in other types of neighborhoods.
Beside getting to know each other these parties have allowed everyone to share their culture. I had explained that this is quite common in the US and at first people didn't understand why anyone would want to do this. Now everyone asks when another one will take place and eagerly look forward to the event. This is just another example of how people can learn from each other and develop a closer understanding and friendship.
When I moved to Penang I thought I would never see anything like this again. Amazingly I was wrong. I was fortunate to live next door to a wonderful Chinese couple, Linda and Cheah. One very warm evening Kevin and I cooked something and invited the two of them to join us at a small table in the corridor outside our apartment.It was a simple meal of pasta and some wine. That was the start of a new tradition.We enjoyed it so much that we got a bigger table and took turns cooking various dishes.
As the dining area was in the corridor, our other neighbors could pass by and chat with us. One by one they all asked if they could join us in the future. My neighbors are Chinese, Indian, British, Japanese and Malawian. Since the initial dinner we have had Christmas parties, Chinese New Year parties and parties for no reason at all. Everyone cooks something to share with the others. Our biggest party was for Chinese New Year and was attended by all of our neighbors, their children from out of town and other friends. This type of activity was completely foreign to the local people here, but once they took part in it they relly enjoyed themselves. I must point out that it is the norm for neighbors never to interact with each other and to be a little distrustful. In a condominium it is a more secure and less threatening atmosphere than living in other types of neighborhoods.
Beside getting to know each other these parties have allowed everyone to share their culture. I had explained that this is quite common in the US and at first people didn't understand why anyone would want to do this. Now everyone asks when another one will take place and eagerly look forward to the event. This is just another example of how people can learn from each other and develop a closer understanding and friendship.
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Comment by Watertown Wanderer
Malaysia Found
steve sovie
Retired Away