I guess I’ve never thought of Japan as an ideal Christmas destination, but some apparently think it is. Perhaps this article over at Fodors was meant to appeal to the expat crowd – the English teachers and assorted other workers in Japan who don’t have the time or money to get back to family in the states. But the article has got some surprisingly nice ideas on things to do. For example, up to the day of Christmas itself, they explain that about a million lights will shine along the tree-lined Marunouchi Naka-Dori Street, joining Otemachi and Yurakucho. There, a Christmas tree has been erected and numerous Christmasy events take place to help those far away get into the holiday spirit.
Christmas in Dubai
When the Christmas holiday season rolls around I do my part to spread the holiday cheer by putting cards in the mail to all my loved ones and co-workers from past and present. Since I can’t supply the world with gifts I find cards usually suffice for most, but there was one Christmas I remember feeling crushed. A girlfriend of mine who I’d known from high school called me after receiving the card only to say, “Sorry, I don’t celebrate Christmas.” I was stunned. What did she mean she didn’t celebrate Christmas? She had when we were classmates, but times had changed and with her marriage she converted to Islam. Christmas no longer existed in her world. Fine, I thought! I’d never send her another Christmas card or anyone else again. Bah-humbug! Instead I would send Seasons Greetings cards and if anyone made so much as a yelp then they’d get a lump of coal! Simple enough, I think. Can’t we all live harmoniously during such a harmonious time?
The answer is ‘yes’ in Dubai. In this Go World Travel piece on Christmas in Dubai the author takes us through the Wafi City Mall where she finds a 50-foot tall Christmas tree in the lobby and Santa’s Village upstairs. Every kind of Christmas design and decoration you could find or imagine from the Western world was in Santa’s Village. Elves, gingerbread houses, penguins and polar bears all hung out. Dubai is said to be full of surprises, but this was one the writer and even I was blown away by reading. Dubai’s majority are Sunni Muslim, however it is the only emirate to accommodate foreign minorities. Go figure. I never would have thought something like this, but the story makes it real and is an awesome read should you find yourself wondering how Christmas is celebrated in other parts of the world.
Perhaps I should even forward it to my girlfriend.
Rambling Gettysburg
I was once a hard core Civil War buff. I think I read about two dozen books on the subject, took classes at Georgetown, and tried to visit many of the famous Civil War sites. Among them, Gettysburg was to me the most impressive. There was something about standing there at the bottom of the hill where Pickett’s Charge occurred that sent a shiver down my spine. I mean, here was a spot where in the space of a few minutes thousands of people died…died so that the nation could live. Important stuff, as we approach another 4th of July.
And so here is a fine LA Times piece on Gettysburg to help us keep in mind as we blow stuff up this on this holiday, why it’s such an important date.
Contest Time: Win a Trip to Dominica
It is time for another one of my random travel contest discoveries found out there on the web. I was lured to the new and very visually pleasing Dominica tourism site from an advertisement found on Nat Geo and further stumbled upon this great opportunity to win a trip to what they call, “The Nature Island.” If you have not heard, American Airlines/American Eagle has added flights to Dominica, so the winner should expect to be shipped into paradise on American, but not without answering a few simple questions. Now for the all Carib guru’s out there the contest quiz might be easy breezy like a summer wind drifting through the lush green leaves of the palm, but those just wanting a little Atlantic Ocean fun and sun with only a small amount of knowledge on Dominica will probably need to surf around the site for the answers. Questions include: What is the capital of Dominica? How many waterfalls can be found there and which type of whales frequent the waters? There are 10 questions in all, the contest is open until March 31, 2007 and winners are notified by April 30, 2007. So if your gut feeling is telling you you’ll be relaxing on the beach with a cocktail in hand this summer this could be your ticket in. Be sure to read the official contest rules.
Qatar Adventures in GoNomad
Qatar entices me because of its name. That is all. I’ve read a little something-something here and there about the place and even chit-chatted with some of the country’s natives in the past, but they didn’t sway me so much to want to go. If I ever venture out it will be because of the name, but what’s in a name anyway? Robert Davis details his desert adventure in Qatar in a recent issue of GoNomad and with his tale I’m opening my eyes to what Qatar really is – at least through the eyes of Robert Davis. In his story he goes across the Arabian Desert to the Inland Sea on a day excursion with Gulf Adventure Tours. Along the way he encounters the uneasy feeling of driving down desert terrain, camels at high-speed and the blue of the sea over the ledge. Additionally he discusses snake chases and eating freshly cooked lamb meat off the spit fire for their desert dinner. Very nice read and summary of a day-trip spent in Qatar if you too are looking into exploring for more reasons than the name.