The First Thanksgiving: Plymouth & Cape Cod
As a Filipino who doesn’t celebrate Thanksgiving, I’ll be the first to admit my knowledge of its backstory is very limited.
Coincidentally, I got to experience my very first pre-thanksgiving festivities during my trip to the East Coast in the USA just this month.
So I figured it’s quite appropriate to do a thanksgiving episode from everything I learned in Plymouth and Cape Cod, Massachusetts – the places I am featuring today.
This episode is a departure from what I usually shoot – inside a studio. For starters, I shot in YALE UNIVERSITY, New Haven, Connecticut! Haha! How pompous is that? Since I happen to be there already, might as well try something new!
In case you’re wondering why I was in YALE as I actually spent a whole week there, I shared a very personal message on Instagram.
Speaking of, I also shared how I visited both, Harvard and Yale. On the VLOG soon!
Until then, make sure to watch today’s episode as pictures can only capture so much.
Plymouth
Like the cross of Magellan, this is the symbol of when the British pilgrims settled in Plymouth – Plymouth Rock.
Plymouth Plantation
An interactive museum, the Plymouth Plantation is a fantastic way to learn how the Pilgrims and Native Americans used to live in the 17th century. I show you all around and make sense of these photos you see here in today’s episode.
17th Century Pilgrim Village
Staying true to their character, you will truly feel like you’re taken back in time. You can converse and ask them anything! Pretty entertaining when I got to chat with some of them as seen in the episode.
Cape Cod
Technically, the Mayflower arrived at Cape Cod first in November 1620 but due to harsh weather conditions, they settled in Plymouth instead that December.
So these two towns in Massachusetts historically go together.
It’s also in Cape Cod where I visited the JFK memorial on that rainy autumn day. There’s a lot to share about the JFK’s and Cape Cod but I wanted to focus on Thanksgiving events today.
The gloomy weather in Cape Cod called for a hearty meal! While the rest of the world opts for Turkey, I had the #1 rated New England Clam Chowder in Cape Cop at Captain Parker’s, which I also shared on Instagram.
Given that Cape Cod is a by the water, seafood is the specialty. So my pre-Thanksgiving meal was none other than lobsters!
Mayflower vs Columbus
While thanksgiving is mostly associated with Christopher Columbus, his journey was actually back in 1492. The Mayflower voyage of the British pilgrims date back to 1620.
I share in today’s episode how the “First Thanksgiving” all began. At the same time, I share my personal thoughts on what I truly think Thanksgiving is all about now that Columbus Day is no longer considered such in most US states. Something I’m actually very grateful for.
As you’ll get to see, I dedicate this heartfelt post to all the indgenous people and Native Americans who lost their lives, their loved ones and a big part of their history, nearly forgotten, until today.
If you notice I barely got into detail in this post because this website’s focus is really on the VLOG – my YouTube channel. So I encourage you to watch and subscribe.
Let’s not wait all year to be thankful for all the blessings we receive.
I am so grateful that you’re all taking this journey with me since I started this blog.
I am grateful that as time passes, my heart is slowly healing since my brother passed away.
Too many to cite, I am eternally grateful that I continue to educate my curious spirit as I travel world. Then in turn, being able to share them with you.
Honestly, I don’t know why I love sharing educational trivia on my social media more than anything else. Quite frankly it’s such a tedious practice having to listen intently to tour guides or reading brochures to fact check.
Whatever the reason is, a part of it is knowing that I choose to use my voice to share something positive, useful and hopefully, inspiring. As I am aware not everyone has the chance to travel or others prefer to learn outside of schools & text books.
So here I am, encouraging you to travel with me, one post at a time.
A wonderful thanksgiving to you and your loved ones.
What are you most grateful for?
Love & light,
B
Location: Plymouth & Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Special thanks to Svenja Teschke of Boston Private Tours for being such an exceptional, cool tour guide!