There is absolutely no way on earth that the Pilgrims if they could have foreseen--on that November Massachusetts day in 1621--that the tradition of Thanksgiving they and their Native American friends were about to initiate would, hundreds of years later, be celebrated in places as far away as Taiwan.

At the same time, it would have probably blown the minds of Chinese people if they knew that, one day, they would be feasting on a large alien bird called a turkey, stuffed with bread, along with pumpkin pie and other delicacies--all to celebrate an equally-strange American holiday.

Such is the nature of our small global community today. Starting in earnest several years ago, Taichung's Taiwanese and foreign residents have increasingly celebrated the all-American holiday of thanksgiving to the point where local hotels and restaurants now sell thousands of roasted turkeys each year. This cross-cultural phenomena seems set to continue growing in the years ahead.

This year, there are no shortage of places to either enjoy a sit-down traditional Thanksgiving meal or order a ready-made roasted turkey to enjoy at home.

P.J.'s Cafe (464, Chung Mei St., 2F; tel. 325-2457) will provide a very-reasonable NT$195 set-plate Thanksgiving dinner on November 23, complete with turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and other items. Another inexpensive option for those who work late but still want dinner is Shark Den Restaurant and Bar (5, Hua Mei West St.; tel. 329-8801), where proprietor Mark Harrison is offering a Late Night Turkey Dinner, with all the usual delicacies, plus "turkey shot" specials all night. On the same day, Salt & Pepper Restaurant (185, Pokuan Rd.; tel. 329-6400) will also have a Thanksgiving dinner. Call for reservations and price.

Finga's Italian Restaurant (17-1, Ching Cheng Rd.; tel. 327-5450) and Finga's Pizza and Pasta (B3-level, B Building, Chung Yo Dept. Store; tel. 226-1670) are providing a full Thanksgiving dinner on November 23 for NT$850 a person. Finga's Fine Foods (7, Ching Cheng Rd., tel. 327-7750) is offering take-away turkey dinners on the same day--call for price. Throughout November and Decembers, Finga's is offering full roasted turkeys (anywhere from about 12 to 18 pounds) for NT$200 per pound, including two pumpkin pies, stuffing and gravy, or a half-turkey with stuffing, gravy and one pie for NT$1,600.