How New Year's is Celebrated Around the World

by Adrienne Wilson on

Father Time has
always been a man of mystery to me and so has his many calendars. As the clock adjusts itself to the start of a new set
of days totaling 365, collectively year, confetti will pour from our dark skies, fireworks will illuminate the night
and the opportunity to get it right this time will have finally appeared again. And while the world may celebrate this
day with us so that business transactions, stock exchange and the code that keeps our machines in check doesn’t end up
in turmoil, it is not yet the New Year for some countries. The Chinese will celebrate their New Year for several days
between January 17th and February 19th. In Iran, ‘Noruz’ or New Year will begin as the flowers begin to blossom and
bloom at the beginning of ‘bahar’ or spring. Their New Year is based off the solar calendar.

Cool Quiz has a pretty good 101 on different
countries traditions and ways of celebrating both our New Year and their own. Some cool knowledge to take into the
brain if you weren’t already aware. Doesn’t hurt starting your new year feeling more globally informed.

Media, PA

by Kelly Amabile on

Just checking in from Philly — I made it here in no
time, since I left NY early enough to avoid the rain and holiday traffic. My pals are scattered throughout the suburbs
of Philly so we’ve been driving around quite a bit. Last night we went out in Media, a quaint town with a historic main street dotted with restaurants and
shops. We went to Fellini’s Cafe Trattoria for dinner. The place was packed,
but we had a reso and were seated right away even though we were running late. I noticed several other trendy
restaurants along the street that were not as crowded, so I knew my friend had picked a dining experience that was sure
to please. And it did…The fresh bruchetta was already on the table as we sat, so we opened our own bottle of wine and
dug in. We devoured the huge calamari appetizer and enjoyed our generous size entrees. Great service, delicious
homemade food and an excellent value. (Check out their Opera Night
every Monday with live music.) After dinner we slipped across the street to Sligo, an Irish pub with plenty of seating
in the back where we met up with more friends and enjoyed the holiday atmosphere. There was no time to explore the
shops, of course, but my friend raves about the unique array of boutiques. Her favorite is Earth & State, which carries gifts made by over 200 artists from around the
world. There is a local theater for the performing arts too. Here’s a walking tour of Media that explains the history of the
district. A great place to check out if you happen to be west of Philly anytime soon.

New Year's in Oregon

by Adrienne Wilson on

Way to go Oregon for keeping the last day in 05′ live! Last minute planners in the state should check out these
events happening all over the place. Events listed are for families and the 21 crowd. In Portland the fun begins at
10PM at the Pioneer Courthouse Square which features food music
and dancing. At midnight interested participants can take part in a 3-mile run or 1.5-mile walk. That my friends sounds
like an unbeatable healthy way to start the new year. I thought that one in particular was the best, plus it’s in a
pretty big city. There are many to choose from like ski events, gourmet dinners, magic shows, and dancing so take a
gander!

via Medford
News

Budget Travel Movie Guide

by Adrienne Wilson on

With award season right around the corner those who are absolutely stumped on finding something to do shouldn’t call the weekend a wash just yet. It may be the last day of 2005, but there is still time to catch up
on some of the year’s best films both in the theater and from home. Budget Travel Online
serves a good list of 10 films about travel or inspire one to do so. After watching each film, they figured you’d
probably be wanting to do some travel of your own more than likely to the same fashion of the film so they were kind
enough in providing tips. You won’t find the tips listed here, you’ll have to go to Budget Travel direct, but I will list
the films. I plan on seeing Narnia with mum this evening and maybe I’ll rent ‘Everything is Illuminated’ for the first
day of 06.’ It is on DVD right? And now the list:

  1. March of the Penguins
  2. Pride
    & Prejudice
  3. Memoirs of a Geisha
  4. Brokeback Mountain
  5. The Chronicles of Narnia:
    The Lion, With and the Wardrobe
  6. Duma
  7. Everything is Illuminated
  8. Grizzly Man
  9. Match Point
  10. Sahara

Traveling for Baby

by Adrienne Wilson on

After reading this
piece written by Eric Weiner, the proud adoptive father of
a Kazakh baby girl, I started to begin this post with silly cliches from the popular and upsetting film, ‘Not Without My Daughter,’ but that would have been far too obvious and
stupid. In writing his story for Slate, Eric has done a favor so magnificent for other parents looking to adopt
internationally or specifically in Kazakhstan that I had to pass it along. I’ve always considered adopting a child and
while I’m nowhere close to being in that process it really makes a person see how much is involved. For one Eric and
his wife Sharon ended up in several places most foreign travelers would hope never to see on their visit. From the
Education Ministry, to the court house and with many visits to the baby house (what we call orphanages and should never
be called that in Kazakhstan) I am under the impression that the couple really learned a lot more about the country’s
culture than any backpacker might have. After all they are bringing home a living, breathing, crying, diaper-wetting,
cuddly, cheery baby girl for a souvenir.

Whether you are a perspective adoptive parent or you can’t stand
the little boogers I highly suggest everyone take a glance at
this piece. With references to Ali G. and the great Kazakh poet Abai the story is full of laughs. Oh, and congrats
to the new happy family. Isn’t she adorable?