{"id":364,"date":"2007-07-05T06:40:38","date_gmt":"2007-07-05T06:40:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.msadventuresinitaly.com\/blog\/2007\/07\/05\/4th-of-july-fireworks-in-milan-expat-style\/"},"modified":"2008-09-01T19:38:41","modified_gmt":"2008-09-01T19:38:41","slug":"4th-of-july-fireworks-in-milan-expat-style","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.msadventuresinitaly.com\/blog\/2007\/07\/05\/4th-of-july-fireworks-in-milan-expat-style\/","title":{"rendered":"4th of July Fireworks in Milan, Expat Style"},"content":{"rendered":"

Last year I attended a 4th of July barbecue-aperitivo<\/a> organized by various expat groups. I didn’t partake of the buffet but I was there more for the company than anything. This year the BBQ was on a Sunday and I was out of town, so I was lucky enough to be invited to a small gathering of U.S. expats and friends. <\/p>\n

Ok, I’ll admit it. I look for any excuse to celebrate something<\/strong>. Isn’t the day better when you’re celebrating? At work I offered a coffee to those that were around and tried to soak up some of the blazing sun that came out right after a particularly dreadful hailstorm that morning. There was a nice wind blowing and my coworkers joked that just down the street was the seaside (Milan is landlocked). <\/p>\n

But as I recounted what normally happens on the 4th of July back home, I connected two very important points in my brain that hadn’t previously been in contact: Americans set off fireworks on the 4th, and exactly one block from my house, there is a fireworks shop. <\/strong><\/p>\n

*Ding*<\/p>\n

I just went to pick up a package of sparklers. <\/strong><\/p>\n

I left the store only because I ran out of cash. <\/p>\n

I felt maybe we deserved a little fireworks, too! Luckily my host and her husband were excited by the prospective fireworks. They too were looking forward to sparklers, and perhaps took a step back when I brought out what S called “la batteria” – a solid block of fireworks the size of a car battery. I couldn’t resist! <\/p>\n

With every good 4th celebration, you have fireworks, and FOOD! We were lucky to have a nice mashup of expat-smuggled food (my Pepper Jack cheese<\/a> was opened) and locally found ingredients. Guacamole, Pepper Jack Cheese Barbecue Bacon Burgers (yum!) and Nachos and Salsa. Drool. <\/p>\n

\n\"4th<\/a>\n<\/p>\n

Then it was time for the fireworks. We walked out of the apartment building and went around the corner to where there was a bit of an abandoned building and open space to set off fireworks. We started off a bit timid but started to really enjoy them as they were finishing up. Fewer people poked their heads out of the apartment buildings to see what was going on than you’d think, although one did say, “Mica che e’ Capodanno?” (It’s not like it’s New Year’s!)<\/p>\n

\n\"Fireworks<\/a>\n<\/p>\n

\n\"Fireworks<\/a>\n<\/p>\n

And of course, there were sparklers. Next time I’ll buy more (and take more pictures)!!<\/p>\n

\n\"Sparkler<\/a>\n<\/p>\n

\n\"Fireworks<\/a>\n<\/p>\n

I was reminded by Copyblogger<\/a> about the classic Schoolhouse Rock<\/a> video of the Preamble of the Constitution – here’s my bit of patriotism – Schoolhouse Rock really rocked! (Click through to view the video):<\/p>\n

<\/param><\/param><\/object><\/p>\n

I hope those celebrating had a good time yesterday! Anyone else, if you need fireworks at your next party, I’m available!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Last year I attended a 4th of July barbecue-aperitivo organized by various expat groups. I didn’t partake of the buffet but I was there more for the company than anything. This year the BBQ was on a Sunday and I was out of town, so I was lucky enough to be invited to a small…<\/p>\n

Read More »<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[24,15,3,10,2,5,14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-364","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-italian-culture","category-expats","category-food","category-holiday","category-italy","category-milan","category-us","entry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p4uB1-5S","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":477,"url":"https:\/\/www.msadventuresinitaly.com\/blog\/2008\/03\/17\/calling-all-expats-in-italy\/","url_meta":{"origin":364,"position":0},"title":"Calling all Expats in Italy","author":"Sara, Ms. Adventures in Italy","date":"March 17, 2008","format":false,"excerpt":"Just a quick note to all Expats living in Italy - we're organizing a get-together (bloggers and non) in Florence on April 19th! Go to my Expat GTG in Italy page to get more details and RSVP. Please spread the word!","rel":"","context":"In "Blog Event"","block_context":{"text":"Blog Event","link":"https:\/\/www.msadventuresinitaly.com\/blog\/category\/blog-event\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":175,"url":"https:\/\/www.msadventuresinitaly.com\/blog\/2006\/07\/05\/welcome-to-milan\/","url_meta":{"origin":364,"position":1},"title":"Welcome to Milan","author":"Sara, Ms Adventures in Italy","date":"July 5, 2006","format":false,"excerpt":"Americans will finally be able to get a Smart Car. You know, that really really small car that you or someone you know took a picture of at least once when in Europe?I just discovered Steve Pavlina (Personal Development for Smart People) - very interesting articles - including how to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Expats"","block_context":{"text":"Expats","link":"https:\/\/www.msadventuresinitaly.com\/blog\/category\/italy\/expats\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":166,"url":"https:\/\/www.msadventuresinitaly.com\/blog\/2006\/06\/10\/the-clients-response\/","url_meta":{"origin":364,"position":2},"title":"The Client’s Response","author":"Sara, Ms Adventures in Italy","date":"June 10, 2006","format":false,"excerpt":"Have you guessed? The client's answer was a late-afternoon Thursday \"Yes,\" one that made us sweat until we got it, and then curse after we did get it. We have only 6 working days to make everything ready, which is why I have been working so hard and not blogging.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Advertising"","block_context":{"text":"Advertising","link":"https:\/\/www.msadventuresinitaly.com\/blog\/category\/random\/advertising\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":129,"url":"https:\/\/www.msadventuresinitaly.com\/blog\/2006\/01\/24\/mightierkeyboard\/","url_meta":{"origin":364,"position":3},"title":"Mightier…Keyboard?","author":"Sara, Ms Adventures in Italy","date":"January 24, 2006","format":false,"excerpt":"Cool Site: NBC's Olympic Site Off the Podium Groovin' to: 1.FM - Chill Out Lounge (internet radio) Last year I had a great idea to take a UC Berkeley Extension class on Journalism, and become a writer! (Illuminating spotlight shines down on my head. 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Milan is a city, albeit a city surrounded by\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Entree"","block_context":{"text":"Entree","link":"https:\/\/www.msadventuresinitaly.com\/blog\/category\/recipe\/entree\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Fresh-cut Spinach Reginette Pasta with Walnut Pesto and Fried Sage Leaves","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/farm4.static.flickr.com\/3328\/3446262631_6de49678e7.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":625,"url":"https:\/\/www.msadventuresinitaly.com\/blog\/2008\/05\/22\/my-latest-news\/","url_meta":{"origin":364,"position":5},"title":"My Latest News","author":"Sara, Ms. Adventures in Italy","date":"May 22, 2008","format":false,"excerpt":"There aren't any food pictures in this post, but it's chock-full of info about me and what's been going on with me lately! Make sure you comment on my post Better than Nutella? Deanocciola Organic Chocolate Hazelnut Creams to win a free jar! I'm accepting comments through this weekend! 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