Eid and Navratri, (which literally means nine nights) were the two main festivals in India this month. They simply happened to fall in October this year, but they're actually based on Lunar calendars.
During navratri, the nine forms of the goddess Durga are worshipped. The festival signifies the conquest of good over evil. It is believed that the goddess Durga had slain the demon Mahishasura on the last(tenth) day, which is celebrated as Dussera.
Garba, which is a a form of group dance is performed during the nights. People just need an excuse to dress up well and dance, and they get just that during this time of the year :)
The more "hardcore" religious Hindus give great importance to navratri. They fast and meditate, since the spiritual energy is believed to be very high during this time.
October 20, 2007
October 18, 2007
October in Germany!
October starts with a holiday in Germany: October 3rd is the day of German reunification. For many people it is a nice day off from work. TV repeats the old news and many documentaries are shown.
October is also the month when geese and cranes fly over Germany on their way to Africa for the winter. All of a sudden you can hear them above you and it is the most beautiful thing to watch. If you drive through a village and you see people on the street staring into the sky it is the right moment to stop because the birds will be right above you. I feel very privileged to live in an area where I can watch this.
In October the leaves change colours and by the end of the month they fall down. It is nice to watch and it is also nice to take a walk through the forest. The sun shines through the leaves and the light seams to be as golden and sugarsweet as honey. Mushrooms can be seen everywhere and people go and collect chestnuts to decorate with.
As it is getting cold soon October is the best month to start preparing your yard for next spring. e.g. tulips need to be planted now to bloom next March.
Old pear and apple trees can be found everywhere on the fields and in the woods and it is fun to hike and pick some.
Local firestations or farmers arrange little get-togethers for their village like "potatoe day", where you can eat the traditional potatoe dishes or "pumpkin day".
The days get shorter and people start to turn the heating on, to sit in front of the fireplace at night and to enjoy the cosy atmosphere.
Halloween is no big deal in Germany. It has become a little more popular within the last years but it concerns only a little decoration like a jack-o' lanterns (If you see more than three in one street you can regard it as a record) or sweets like bat-shaped candy. We do not have the whole trick-and-treat-thing, neither the parties. Some Irish Pubs celebrate Halloween Parties though.
October is also the month when geese and cranes fly over Germany on their way to Africa for the winter. All of a sudden you can hear them above you and it is the most beautiful thing to watch. If you drive through a village and you see people on the street staring into the sky it is the right moment to stop because the birds will be right above you. I feel very privileged to live in an area where I can watch this.
In October the leaves change colours and by the end of the month they fall down. It is nice to watch and it is also nice to take a walk through the forest. The sun shines through the leaves and the light seams to be as golden and sugarsweet as honey. Mushrooms can be seen everywhere and people go and collect chestnuts to decorate with.
As it is getting cold soon October is the best month to start preparing your yard for next spring. e.g. tulips need to be planted now to bloom next March.
Old pear and apple trees can be found everywhere on the fields and in the woods and it is fun to hike and pick some.
Local firestations or farmers arrange little get-togethers for their village like "potatoe day", where you can eat the traditional potatoe dishes or "pumpkin day".
The days get shorter and people start to turn the heating on, to sit in front of the fireplace at night and to enjoy the cosy atmosphere.
Halloween is no big deal in Germany. It has become a little more popular within the last years but it concerns only a little decoration like a jack-o' lanterns (If you see more than three in one street you can regard it as a record) or sweets like bat-shaped candy. We do not have the whole trick-and-treat-thing, neither the parties. Some Irish Pubs celebrate Halloween Parties though.
October 12, 2007
October!
In the U.S., October is all about Halloween (unless you are shopping and then half the stores are already putting stuff out for Christmas)! People spend the entire month getting ready for the last day. At work we've been making decorations since September (but everything is homemade, which is not usual, so we had to start early.) Neighbors already have fake tombstones and spiderwebs streaked across the lawn and window clings of pumpkins and spiders and vampires decorating the windows. Orange strings of lights are hung in trees or along sidewalks, and the newest decorating craze (not just for Halloween) is the inflatable objects. There's a house on the street where I work with an inflatable death coach. There are also pumpkins and witches and vampires that are blown up in the evening and light the way to a house that will probably have good candy.
At the beginning of October tons of haunted houses open their doors to those seeking a thrill. Most of the time these are basically dark rooms decorated with flashing lights and fake monsters, where people jump out to scare passer-bye, but some of them have wavers for patrons to sign before entering, because of the danger involved. The Haunted houses aren't always in houses. There are variations such as haunted trails and haunted river boats and haunted hospitals... the list could go on forever.
One of my favorite things to do during October is the hayride and grill out at my Granny and Papaw's farm. We ride through the fields on a trailer with church friends and hay bails and sing songs and tell stories and just enjoy each other's company. Then we grill hot dogs and hamburgers and play games and things like that. It's a nice tradition.
A non-Halloween event that many in my area part take in is traveling through the Smokey Mountains to see the trees changing color. The reds and golds and oranges on the hillside is breath-taking and really helps you to appreciate the world's natural beauty.
When Halloween finally arrives, there are many celebrations. Children go Trick-or-Treating house to house asking for candy while dressed in costumes. Most Schools have costume parties in the classroom and other organizations might get into the spirit and have parties as well. Games might include a costume contest, bobbing for apples, or guessing what you're feeling while blind folded (you have to feel things like peeled grapes and are told they are eyeballs). Treats usually include popped corn and candy and cookies shaped like bats or pumpkins.
Older kids might feel a little more mischievous and celebrate the night before Halloween (sometimes referred to as "Cabbage Night") by playing pranks like egging or toilet papering houses or putting flaming dog poo on a neighbor's porch. I've seen older photos of cabbage night escapades such as putting a tractor on a barn roof. Sometimes Cabbage night activities carry over to the night of Halloween and the tricksters go around smashing jack-o-lanterns in the street.
Adults enjoy either taking their children Trick-or-Treating or attending grown-up costume parties. Some parties have themes and others all costumes are welcome. Many adult parties also have contests, and especially at bars or dance clubs, the prizes can be very nice. The trend for adults in recent years has been to dress as scantily as possible. There have been news reports of about how younger adults and teenagers are wearing costumes cut short with low necklines and midriffs showing.
Scary movies are a big part of the holiday. Many TV shows have Halloween specials and some channels show a mostly Halloween related line up. (The History Channel has shows about where vampires, werewolves, Frankenstein and other Halloween traditions originated.)
I should also mention that a large number of Americans don't like to celebrate Halloween at all, seeing it as the Devil's Holiday. I don't have much to say about them, except that Halloween's origins are Pagan, but religious, and it's mostly good clean fun.
At the beginning of October tons of haunted houses open their doors to those seeking a thrill. Most of the time these are basically dark rooms decorated with flashing lights and fake monsters, where people jump out to scare passer-bye, but some of them have wavers for patrons to sign before entering, because of the danger involved. The Haunted houses aren't always in houses. There are variations such as haunted trails and haunted river boats and haunted hospitals... the list could go on forever.
One of my favorite things to do during October is the hayride and grill out at my Granny and Papaw's farm. We ride through the fields on a trailer with church friends and hay bails and sing songs and tell stories and just enjoy each other's company. Then we grill hot dogs and hamburgers and play games and things like that. It's a nice tradition.
A non-Halloween event that many in my area part take in is traveling through the Smokey Mountains to see the trees changing color. The reds and golds and oranges on the hillside is breath-taking and really helps you to appreciate the world's natural beauty.
When Halloween finally arrives, there are many celebrations. Children go Trick-or-Treating house to house asking for candy while dressed in costumes. Most Schools have costume parties in the classroom and other organizations might get into the spirit and have parties as well. Games might include a costume contest, bobbing for apples, or guessing what you're feeling while blind folded (you have to feel things like peeled grapes and are told they are eyeballs). Treats usually include popped corn and candy and cookies shaped like bats or pumpkins.
Older kids might feel a little more mischievous and celebrate the night before Halloween (sometimes referred to as "Cabbage Night") by playing pranks like egging or toilet papering houses or putting flaming dog poo on a neighbor's porch. I've seen older photos of cabbage night escapades such as putting a tractor on a barn roof. Sometimes Cabbage night activities carry over to the night of Halloween and the tricksters go around smashing jack-o-lanterns in the street.
Adults enjoy either taking their children Trick-or-Treating or attending grown-up costume parties. Some parties have themes and others all costumes are welcome. Many adult parties also have contests, and especially at bars or dance clubs, the prizes can be very nice. The trend for adults in recent years has been to dress as scantily as possible. There have been news reports of about how younger adults and teenagers are wearing costumes cut short with low necklines and midriffs showing.
Scary movies are a big part of the holiday. Many TV shows have Halloween specials and some channels show a mostly Halloween related line up. (The History Channel has shows about where vampires, werewolves, Frankenstein and other Halloween traditions originated.)
I should also mention that a large number of Americans don't like to celebrate Halloween at all, seeing it as the Devil's Holiday. I don't have much to say about them, except that Halloween's origins are Pagan, but religious, and it's mostly good clean fun.
October 03, 2007
de molen van kinderdijk
The windmills of Kinderdijk are situated close to Rotterdam, NL. In 1740 19 windmills where built at this place and are still in a very good 
condition. Some of them were destroyed by fires but rebuilt by using the original materials as far as possible. The windmills drained the water from 
the polder that is below sealevel (in our days this is done by a modern water screw pumping station - one of the biggest in Europe).
condition. Some of them were destroyed by fires but rebuilt by using the original materials as far as possible. The windmills drained the water from 
the polder that is below sealevel (in our days this is done by a modern water screw pumping station - one of the biggest in Europe). A windmill can be for only one 
purpose, if it is built to drain water it cannot be used for any other purpose.
purpose, if it is built to drain water it cannot be used for any other purpose.The different positions of the windmills were in former days a sign for family situations like moaning or weddings.
September 28, 2007
Ganesh Festival
Last Tuesday, we celebrated the last day of the Ganesh festival. Its a 10 day festival, and one of the (many) important Hindu festivals in India, and also one of the most famous ones. People keep idols of Lord Ganesh (or Ganpati) in their house and worship it. At the end of 10 days, the idol is immersed in the sea. Some prefer to keep the idol for a shorter period, like 2 days or 5 days.
The festival is celebrated on a grand scale. There are "community" Ganpatis as well, that are set up on the streets, or in buildings. These are generally very large, and decorated even with gold. People don't hesitate spending when it comes to this festival...
The visarjan is a grand event. Thousands of people gather at beaches to immerse their idols. Its quite a miracle that it happens without any major incident. I don't have pictures of this, but a google image search will give a good idea of what its like.
Here's a picture of an idol that was at my friend's place:
The festival is celebrated on a grand scale. There are "community" Ganpatis as well, that are set up on the streets, or in buildings. These are generally very large, and decorated even with gold. People don't hesitate spending when it comes to this festival...
The visarjan is a grand event. Thousands of people gather at beaches to immerse their idols. Its quite a miracle that it happens without any major incident. I don't have pictures of this, but a google image search will give a good idea of what its like.
Here's a picture of an idol that was at my friend's place:
September 25, 2007
small town chat
some like to call it gossip and are annoyed by it. yes, there is a lot of gossip in small towns. but there is also the enjoyable small town chat.
since june we feel very privileged to have a small store in our little village. it opens early enough to get a breadroll before work. so sometimes I stop. and whenever I do I will of course chat a little to Sandy, the owner. And most of the times I meet a friend or neighbor on the street or in the shop. Everybody is on the way to work and everybody is happy to see a face that you maybe haven't seen in a few weeks.
very often we meet people from our village or the places we have lived in when we were children on the road. and there is always time to stop, right in the middle of the road, and to chat a little.
this morning on my way to work I met a neighbor. He was driving right in front of me and two towns further he stopped to get the newspaper. So I stopped, too. Afterwards he was driving behind me for quite a while before our ways separated.
A 450-inhabitans village is surely no vibrant city, but live in a village like that can be very vibrant! :-)
since june we feel very privileged to have a small store in our little village. it opens early enough to get a breadroll before work. so sometimes I stop. and whenever I do I will of course chat a little to Sandy, the owner. And most of the times I meet a friend or neighbor on the street or in the shop. Everybody is on the way to work and everybody is happy to see a face that you maybe haven't seen in a few weeks.
very often we meet people from our village or the places we have lived in when we were children on the road. and there is always time to stop, right in the middle of the road, and to chat a little.
this morning on my way to work I met a neighbor. He was driving right in front of me and two towns further he stopped to get the newspaper. So I stopped, too. Afterwards he was driving behind me for quite a while before our ways separated.
A 450-inhabitans village is surely no vibrant city, but live in a village like that can be very vibrant! :-)
September 16, 2007
Alaska Native Heritage Center
At this point I would like to recommend a museum I have been to last month: The ALASKA NATIVE HERITAGE CENTER in Anchorage.
The museum offers not only many exhibitions but also a theater where you can listen to the native storyteller or watch movies and documentaries, a stage where natives show and teach their dances, music and games. You can walk through seven villages of native tribes (and you can take a guided tour if you want to) and many many more interesting things.
The Alaska Native Heritage Center is a non-profit organisation. If you would like to read more about it, please click on the logo.July 24, 2007
A short thought...
Isn't it odd that where ever we go, we see ourselves in others? Maybe we are just all looking for a connection to the rest of the human race. On vacation, where ever we went, someone in our group would pick out the family that had hats or jerseys for our home teams. We would strike up a conversation with them, and find out that they lived a few cities over from us. Here we were, three states away, and finding neighbors. I look for redheads. I think that I've already expressed my thoughts on that, so I won't go into them here, but it's funny how we all look for something. Maybe it's a clothing style, or a type of glasses or a way of walking, but sometimes even without knowing it, we look for people with whom we can identify. Maybe we are looking for a piece of home.
July 17, 2007
timber-framed beauties
There are many many beautiful timber-framed houses in the area and I actually live in one myself. Reason enough to blog about it.
From the 12th century until the late 19th century timber-framing was the most common way of building in Central Europe. The main support of the building is a (most times) visible frame of timber. The spaces between the timber frames are filled with wooden stakes, straw and clay, in later times also with bricks. Nowadays homeowners of timber framed houses paint the timber in beautiful colors (mainly red, black and brown, but also blue) and put white stucco on the spaces in between the frames.
The different shapes of the timber are references to the epoch the house was build, profession of the former owners and many other things like denomination, etc.
Against harassments like fire, termites and mold, timber-framed homes have many advantages even in our times (e.g. insulation, energy effinciency, newer timber-framed constructions are very resistant to earthquakes,...).
The slideshow shows houses close to my home.
From the 12th century until the late 19th century timber-framing was the most common way of building in Central Europe. The main support of the building is a (most times) visible frame of timber. The spaces between the timber frames are filled with wooden stakes, straw and clay, in later times also with bricks. Nowadays homeowners of timber framed houses paint the timber in beautiful colors (mainly red, black and brown, but also blue) and put white stucco on the spaces in between the frames.
The different shapes of the timber are references to the epoch the house was build, profession of the former owners and many other things like denomination, etc.
Against harassments like fire, termites and mold, timber-framed homes have many advantages even in our times (e.g. insulation, energy effinciency, newer timber-framed constructions are very resistant to earthquakes,...).
The slideshow shows houses close to my home.
July 16, 2007
Better Late than Never, Introduction to 4th of July
I'm sure that many of you have heard of Independence Day (otherwise known as "The Fourth of July" or "The Fourth"), but it's not likely that you are familiar with the holiday if you aren't from the states. So this is my little introduction to The Fourth.
Many believe that the fourth of July (1776) was the day that the US began its struggle for freedom from British rule, however the fighting for independence actually began earlier that year. It is also commonly assumed that the Declaration was signed by all of the Continental Congress on that day, but again this is incorrect, as the first published copy had only the signature of John Hancock (President of the Second Continental Congress). The Declaration was signed by all members on August 2nd. Thomas Jefferson thought that July 2nd would be the national holiday because that was the day that he wrote the Declaration of Independence, but it was rafitied on July 4th and for some reason that's the day that stuck with us.
Today the Independence Day is celebrated with picnics, parades and fireworks. Most cities have community events, but some people prefer to mark the occasion with a family gathering, which can result in a trip the the hospital with burns from amature firework displays.
Many believe that the fourth of July (1776) was the day that the US began its struggle for freedom from British rule, however the fighting for independence actually began earlier that year. It is also commonly assumed that the Declaration was signed by all of the Continental Congress on that day, but again this is incorrect, as the first published copy had only the signature of John Hancock (President of the Second Continental Congress). The Declaration was signed by all members on August 2nd. Thomas Jefferson thought that July 2nd would be the national holiday because that was the day that he wrote the Declaration of Independence, but it was rafitied on July 4th and for some reason that's the day that stuck with us.
Today the Independence Day is celebrated with picnics, parades and fireworks. Most cities have community events, but some people prefer to mark the occasion with a family gathering, which can result in a trip the the hospital with burns from amature firework displays.
July 10, 2007
l'atomium
Situated on the northern outskirts of Brussels the beautiful atomium is probably one of the worlds most astonishing buildings. The building was designed by André Waterkeyn for the EXPO 58. It symbolises a crystallised molecule of iron by the scale of its atoms, magnified 150 thousand million times. The nine large spheres have a diameter of 18 metres and can be visited or even rented for private events. You can move from one sphere to another through tubes on escalators or lifts. The atomium is made entirely of steel clad with aluminium, the structure has a hight of 102 metres. The atomium was not intended to stay in Brussels longer than the EXPO but its popularity and success ensured its place as a major landmark on the Brussels skyline.
July 01, 2007
Books – African Cultures
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Whoever is interested in genuine black African cultures and photographing, I would recommend the following books of Leni Riefenstahl, Carol Beckwith and Angela Fisher. These ladies ventured into the mysterious continent in the last decades and documented the startling cultures. Respect!
June 27, 2007
Tribe
I like these eye-opener documentaries - Tribe. Bruce Perry explored the lost world to film the diminishing precious cultures on earth. He lived with the tribes for a considerable period to experience their respective habit and culture.
With the major premise to attract the audience, it is comprehendible that only the most exotic aspect of culture is presented. Being a foreign white man in a local community, he is largely treated as a guest instead of as an ordinary member. I believe this is the closest a foreigner could do.
Series 1 and 2 comprise 6 and 3 tribal documentaries. Note, 3 out of 9 were filmed in Ethiopia (tribe Suri, Hamar and Dassanech). This fascinating country is great! Was so glad to visit Mursi, Hamar and Dassanech during my visit in 2005, though the short village tour didn't permit me to see such details.
As observed by Bruce Perry in general, the young generation is gradually renouncing their faith to their tradition. Modernisation entice the youngsters opt for better living.
With the major premise to attract the audience, it is comprehendible that only the most exotic aspect of culture is presented. Being a foreign white man in a local community, he is largely treated as a guest instead of as an ordinary member. I believe this is the closest a foreigner could do.
Series 1 and 2 comprise 6 and 3 tribal documentaries. Note, 3 out of 9 were filmed in Ethiopia (tribe Suri, Hamar and Dassanech). This fascinating country is great! Was so glad to visit Mursi, Hamar and Dassanech during my visit in 2005, though the short village tour didn't permit me to see such details.
As observed by Bruce Perry in general, the young generation is gradually renouncing their faith to their tradition. Modernisation entice the youngsters opt for better living.
throwing china
A friends wedding is coming up. One of a tradition here in Germany is the so called "Polterabend". The night before the couple gets married their friends will come to the house of the bride's parents and through china into their front yard. Broken crockery brings you luck.
Nobody is invited to the party but everybody is welcome. Often there will be a little announcement in the regional newspaper to tell the date and the place, as it is held somewhere else than the bride's parents home. Friends, former classmates, neighbours, colleagues from work and more or less everybody you know our knew will be there at least to congratulate. There will be small snacks and beer and of course music.
Everybody is welcome to through and break china. Glass and mirrows are forbidden to through, of course, as that would be for bad luck. Wash bowls and toilet bowls (clean ones!!!) are also thrown very often as it is also china, it breaks and it seems funny. (and for those who throw it, it is an easy way to get rid of it...)
Bride and Groom have to clean up the mess of all the broken things together. In former times the party wouldn't start before they haven't cleaned up everything.
The origin of this tradition is unknown, probably Germanic or heathen.
Germany is, as far as I know, the only place where a "Polterabend" is held and this tradition is alive.
Nobody is invited to the party but everybody is welcome. Often there will be a little announcement in the regional newspaper to tell the date and the place, as it is held somewhere else than the bride's parents home. Friends, former classmates, neighbours, colleagues from work and more or less everybody you know our knew will be there at least to congratulate. There will be small snacks and beer and of course music.
Everybody is welcome to through and break china. Glass and mirrows are forbidden to through, of course, as that would be for bad luck. Wash bowls and toilet bowls (clean ones!!!) are also thrown very often as it is also china, it breaks and it seems funny. (and for those who throw it, it is an easy way to get rid of it...)
Bride and Groom have to clean up the mess of all the broken things together. In former times the party wouldn't start before they haven't cleaned up everything.
The origin of this tradition is unknown, probably Germanic or heathen.
Germany is, as far as I know, the only place where a "Polterabend" is held and this tradition is alive.
June 25, 2007
Cincinnati, OH Redheads
It's not uncommon to see several redheads when walking around in Cincinnati, OH USA. Although redheads make up only 4 or 5% of the world's population, I have a feeling that the percentage in this Metro area is much higher. This is probably due to the fact that Cincinnati is home to many families of German origin. In modern times, I don't think that Germany has been known for it's redheads. Most of the time people think of Ireland or perhaps Scotland as the origins of the redhead gene, but Germans definately carry the recessive trait, and it shows up in Cincinnati!
Redheads aren't the only place Cincinnati shows it's roots. The first Mayor of Cincinnati was actually born in Heidelberg, Germany. Cincinnati is home to the second largest Oktoberfest in the world (The largest being in Munich). Residents of Cincinnati love Americanized versions of German dishes such as Goetta and Sauerkraut.
Growing up in the Cincinnati area I didn't really understand how unique it is to be a redhead. There was always another redhead in my class at school, and although people always commented on my hair, it wasn't as uncommon as in other parts of the US. This was never more clear to me that when I visited San Francisco, CA, where we saw one other family of redheads, who were also tourists! Even now, when I live just and hour and a half south of the city, there are significantly fewer redheads than in my home town. (There's also a lack of Goetta and Sauerkraut!)
Redheads aren't the only place Cincinnati shows it's roots. The first Mayor of Cincinnati was actually born in Heidelberg, Germany. Cincinnati is home to the second largest Oktoberfest in the world (The largest being in Munich). Residents of Cincinnati love Americanized versions of German dishes such as Goetta and Sauerkraut.
Growing up in the Cincinnati area I didn't really understand how unique it is to be a redhead. There was always another redhead in my class at school, and although people always commented on my hair, it wasn't as uncommon as in other parts of the US. This was never more clear to me that when I visited San Francisco, CA, where we saw one other family of redheads, who were also tourists! Even now, when I live just and hour and a half south of the city, there are significantly fewer redheads than in my home town. (There's also a lack of Goetta and Sauerkraut!)
June 19, 2007
midsummer
The longest day of the year is coming up! I love sunshine and I love long summer nights, so of course midsummer is worth to write a post!
I checked the forecast for my home already: sunrise at 5.17 a.m. / sunset at 9.42 p.m. Wonderful- even if it sounds ridiculous compared to the town of Lulea in northern Sweden:
sunrise at 1.03 a.m. / sunset at 0.03 a.m. on June 22nd.
But still it is a very long day. It is light until late and people sit in their yards or on the balcony to barbeque, to visit or to watch some bats flying around in the late, light dusk light.
As I do not know too much about the traditions in Europe concerning this day, I tried to find out a little on the internet:
The dates of the festivities vary a little in the different regions. Some countries celebrate midsummer, some countries Saint John's Day.
I checked the forecast for my home already: sunrise at 5.17 a.m. / sunset at 9.42 p.m. Wonderful- even if it sounds ridiculous compared to the town of Lulea in northern Sweden:
sunrise at 1.03 a.m. / sunset at 0.03 a.m. on June 22nd.
But still it is a very long day. It is light until late and people sit in their yards or on the balcony to barbeque, to visit or to watch some bats flying around in the late, light dusk light.
As I do not know too much about the traditions in Europe concerning this day, I tried to find out a little on the internet:
The dates of the festivities vary a little in the different regions. Some countries celebrate midsummer, some countries Saint John's Day.
- In France, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and the United Kingdom you celebrate the day with bonfires.
- In Portugal the midsummer festivities also include "Santos Populares" (Popular Saints celebrations). Streets are decorated, there are dances and other festivities. The traditional food are cabbage and potato soup & grilled sardines.
- In Denmark it has been celebrated since the times of the Vikings. They celebrate with bonfires and picnics at the beaches and shores.
- Poland celebrate this day dressed up like dangerous pirates, girls throw wreaths into the sea/rivers and big cities have entertainments.
- In Ireland the day is also celebrated with bonfires and with midsummer carnivals.
- Midsummer fairs are held in Romania.
- In Sweden Midsummer is one of the most important holidays of the year. People travel to their summer cottages on the countryside. Raising a maypole and dancing is a tradition.
- In Finland houses get decorated with flowers and birch branches. People celebrate with bonfires along rivers and lakeshores. Traditional food for Juhannus: potatoes and fish
June 15, 2007
An Amazing Piece of History
The Vasa (or Wasa) is a Swedish 64-gun ship, built in Sweden 1626-1628. She capsized in the first mile of her maiden voyage in August 1628. After many years she got more or less forgotton, but in 1961 after years of searching and preparation Vasa was salvaged with a largely intact hull on, and is now on display at the Vasa Museum in Stockholm. She is now one of the last surviving ships of the line in the world and the museum (especially built to be fit a
ship like the VASA in) is worth a visit. Light and temperature are special to protect VASA against decomposition. The museum does not only show an amazing ship but also all information related to the VASA that the visitor would like to know (life in the 17th century, why did the ship sink, how was the VASA build, etc...)June 08, 2007
Clonmacnoise
The monastery of Clonmacnoise is situated in the Irish County Offaly, on the Shannon River south of Athlone. Clonmacnoise (Cluain Mhic Nóis in Irish, meaning "Meadow of the Sons of Nós") was built in 545 by Saint Ciarán who died only few years later in his early thirties.Clonmacnoise is a historic site of towers, temples and high crosses.
The position of Clonmacnoise is very beautiful but also the point where the major east-west land route crossed the River Shannon. Clonmacnoise became soon the theological centre of Ireland, also a centre of arts, crafts and poetry.
June 06, 2007
The Beauty of Irkutsk
Irkutsk is also called "Paris of Siberia". It is a wonderful city with many old wooden houses. Even if a fire in 1879 destroyed most of them. Irkutsk is one of the largest cities in Siberia, situated on the river Angara only 70 km from Lake Baikal.Many of the old wooden houses seem to lean a lot or they already sank pretty much into the ground.
The reason for this is permafrost.
Permafrost ground forms in areas where the temperature of the ground is less
than the freezing point of water. Building a house on permafrost ground causes that the heat from the house melts the permafrost ground beneath it. The ground softens and the house starts to sink slowly into the ground. Some of Irkutsk's houses are already sank to the windowsills. People still live in these homes or you can find shops etc. in these houses.
May 20, 2007
travelling
Two Japanese girls in London using the underground trip to rest their feet as well as to find out about the next sight to visit.May 16, 2007
blue spring state park
none of my florida travel guides serves any information about this place. unfortunately not.
but luckily i got the hint that it might be worth a visit.
i wished to see a manatee in wild, so of course i took the chance to go to a place like that.
the blue spring state park is only a few minutes north of orlando and really easy to find as there are already signs on the interstate.
this place is really unsual. the nature is marvellous, the water so clear.
you can spend your time watching the manatees and turtles, you can walk, rent a canoe or even swim.
May 10, 2007
Miami Beach...
...what else would you espect? Probably the two most famous reasons for visiting Miami Beach are the beach and the art deco architecture. on this photo you can find both of it. The beach is nice but if you want some rest you will consider it as overcrowded. Miami Beach is a fun place. The wacko art deco buildings fit right into it.
May 08, 2007
April 24, 2007
Ocean Drive
okay, this picture is nothing compared to all the Miami Beach pictures of great photographers or of the pictures we know from the catalogues. It neither shows any of the magical atmosphere on Ocean Drive. the architecture is amazing, the colors at night are pretty.
April 19, 2007
left handed
we were talking about shops that sell only stuff for left handed persons.
this reminded me of an elderly lady I met in a train from Irkutsk to Ulan Ude. She was very old and spoke only Russian. Her behavior was a mixture of acting shy and being curious. She didn't talk to me at all but watched me all the time.
when I started writing my diary she started smiling and touching my hand. first I was not sure why she acted like that but then I realised that she was astonished by the fact that I used my left hand to write.
this reminded me of an elderly lady I met in a train from Irkutsk to Ulan Ude. She was very old and spoke only Russian. Her behavior was a mixture of acting shy and being curious. She didn't talk to me at all but watched me all the time.
when I started writing my diary she started smiling and touching my hand. first I was not sure why she acted like that but then I realised that she was astonished by the fact that I used my left hand to write.
April 16, 2007
April 11, 2007
gossip
I met these three ladies in a pub in Dinge, Ireland.
They meet here on a regular basis to chat and to have lunch together.
They meet here on a regular basis to chat and to have lunch together.
April 09, 2007
irish breakfast
Even taking a look at this picture and I start to feel very hungry. I love the traditional Irish breakfast and of course I have it every day whenever I visit Ireland. This one was served at The Castle View House and was probably one of the best ones I've ever had!March 23, 2007
Precious things.
Friends and family who live all over the world provide us with precious things: Chocolates from Belgium, brownies, cookies and popcorn from the U.S., sausages from the Netherlands,…
Of course you can buy a lot of things in Germany that are supposed to be “original american” or “original dutch” for example, but they are not. That’s obvious. These things are made for German people and German taste is different to American, Dutch or Chinese taste.
A friend from Malaysia lived in Germany for a few weeks. He took us to a Asian take away restaurant, the owner actually came from his hometown. Co-incident. The food they sold was –like always- different from the origin taste, the food was prepared for European people. But the night he took us to this take away place, he ordered dishes that are typical for the area he grew up and the food was prepared in the original way (these dishes aren’t mentioned on the menu at all). We sat at a very small table with the stuff, as it is a take away restaurant there were no tables for guests. We drank tea and ate all evening and enjoyed the spontanious atmosphere. A precious moment and a wonderful memory.
Of course you can buy a lot of things in Germany that are supposed to be “original american” or “original dutch” for example, but they are not. That’s obvious. These things are made for German people and German taste is different to American, Dutch or Chinese taste.
A friend from Malaysia lived in Germany for a few weeks. He took us to a Asian take away restaurant, the owner actually came from his hometown. Co-incident. The food they sold was –like always- different from the origin taste, the food was prepared for European people. But the night he took us to this take away place, he ordered dishes that are typical for the area he grew up and the food was prepared in the original way (these dishes aren’t mentioned on the menu at all). We sat at a very small table with the stuff, as it is a take away restaurant there were no tables for guests. We drank tea and ate all evening and enjoyed the spontanious atmosphere. A precious moment and a wonderful memory.
March 05, 2007
curly
A friend of mine has a head of curly hair. boy.
She went to Japan a few years ago. People kept staring at here because her hair was so special. She went to a football match with friends during her visit in Japan. When she was there she experienced that the japanese people sitting next to her wouldn't stop touching her curls whenever they felt unwatched.
She went to Japan a few years ago. People kept staring at here because her hair was so special. She went to a football match with friends during her visit in Japan. When she was there she experienced that the japanese people sitting next to her wouldn't stop touching her curls whenever they felt unwatched.
February 11, 2007
metro station in moscow
this was the first metro station in moscow i stepped into. i thought i might have been lucky and co-incidently stepped into the most beautiful one. so i took this picture. but after a while i realized that all the metro stations look as beautiful as this one. they are all different but all wonderful. it is amazing. i might plan a special "metro day" the next time i visit moscow just to travel arround and see the stations.
February 08, 2007
January 24, 2007
January 16, 2007
stonehenge
what would be a better day to visit stonehenge than a rainy january day? i doubt that there is any weather that would emphasize the atmosphere better.
stonehenge is worth a visit. probably not only the weather but also the amount of tourists walking arount should be a good reason to do it in the winter time.
the size of stonehenge is amazing. there are many myths and legends about the way this prehistoric site might have been build. Merlin, the devil and many more among them.
stonehenge is worth a visit. probably not only the weather but also the amount of tourists walking arount should be a good reason to do it in the winter time.the size of stonehenge is amazing. there are many myths and legends about the way this prehistoric site might have been build. Merlin, the devil and many more among them.
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