4th of July in Italy

This wasn't my first 4th of July outside the home of the free and the brave, but it was the first over seas 4th that felt like I was in the states. I guess that's what happens when you spend it with a ton of Americans, at a military recreation site while in Italy. In fact, the only thing that reminded me that I was in Italy was the Italian being spoken around me by the Italian guests also celebrating with us.

Sure it wasn't a the picnic at Colton Hall, being a pyro with 10 sparklers in my hand, or even watching the volunteer fire department put out a fire on the ball field in the middle of Utah but it's definitely one for the history books...no colored fog!

Although the Carney Park event apparently wasn't as busy as previous years, it was still plenty busy with food and craft vendors, a stage with the most annoying MC ever, pie eating contests, bands, rides, and yes, fireworks.

At first I was thinking no big deal on fireworks since every day I've been here I've seen and/or heard fireworks (we'll have a "Let's Talk....Fireworks" posting later) but these were real fireworks. As they were being shot off in an extinct volcano the noise echoing from the crater mutiplied and I couldn't help but think of it as "payback" for those 1am firework shows most of us have been subject to at this point.

Nothing screams 4th of July like Katy Perry- right? Oh well. Being surrounded by fellow Americans- those who have given so much to protect our freedom really put the holiday in perceptive. Happy 4th of July everyone!