For over a decade, Buffalonian Geoff Schutte has been rallying a troop of friends from all across the world to raise a toast on Thanksgiving day. The tradition started when he could not be back in Buffalo for Thanksgiving, and decided to call upon his friends and family to join together for one special moment in time, and to give thanks for all of the things that we are lucky to have. “While in Peace Corps, many of us experienced our first Thanksgiving away from family and the comforts of home,” wrote Geoff. “And so we created an “international toast time”–an agreement that wherever we were, we would raise a glass and toast with those we were with–and with those we couldn’t be with. The toast takes place on Thanksgiving Day at 4pm EST (1pm on the West Coast; 1:30am in Kabul, Afghanistan, where my co-conspirator Dan will be toasting). The photo is from the first Toast: 2003, in Thailand, 5am (on the phone with parents).”
We all have friends, family and loved ones who can not make it home for Thanksgiving, so in the true spirit of the holiday, feel free to pass along this invitation to partake in the 1oth Annual International Thanksgiving Toast. For those that do decide to imbibe, there is a Facebook page where you can upload your ‘toast’ photos, and share your well-wishes and anecdotes.
Leading up to Thanksgiving, we at Buffalo Rising hope that everyone has safe travels and are able to enjoy time together with your clan. And to those who can’t make it home, Gesondheid!, Gëzuar!, في صحتكم! (fee saḥitkum), Živjeli!, Наздраве! (Nazdrave), 乾杯! [干杯!] (gān bēi), Živjeli!, Na zdraví!, Skål!, Prosit!, Cheers!, Tervist!, Santé!, Kippis!, Santé!, Sláinte!, Slàinte!, Gaumarjos!, Prost!, στην υγειά σας! (stin ighia’ sas), Okole Maluna!, L’ Chaim, अच्छी सेहत! (acchī sehata), Kedves egeszsegere!, Skál!, Pro!, Salute!, 乾杯 (kanpai), 건배 [乾杯] (geonbae), Skål!, به سلامتی! (beh salamati), Na zdrowie!, Saúde, Будем здоровы! (Budem zdorovy), ¡Salud!, Skål!, Şerefe!, Chúc sức khoẻ!, Iechyd da!