Mango Languages

The Muscat Festival

Beginning in 1998, the Muscat Festival in Muscat, Oman, is a celebration of both traditional arts and culture. Muscat as a city itself is one of the most multicultural centers in the world. Its blend of extreme tradition mixed with modern attractions, along with its position geographically make it a perfect link between Asia, Africa, and Europe.

This year’s festival begins on the 27th of January, and is expected to outdo last year’s attendance of over 2 million people. The festival lasts literally just days short of a whole month, and includes everything from fashion shows, to food festivals, to an extreme sailing series. Littered with concerts, traditional artists, as well as educational events like lectures and novel discussions, this festival literally has something for everyone to enjoy.

Have you been to an international or multicultural festival anywhere in the world? Tell us about it!

Top Travel Destinations in 2011

Happy Tuesday Everyone!!!

I am very excited to start off our Travel Tuesday Blog! I will now be blogging about all things travel on Tuesdays. Zip up your carry on, grab your passport, lather on that sunblock, and don’t miss your flight… we’re getting ready to travel!

I thought it would be best to get everyone in a traveling state of mind by starting of with the top travel destinations for 2011. A new year brings new reasons to explore the world. And if the world is your oyster, why not seek out the pearls? The top destinations are scattered all around the world. The list includes metropolitan cities as well as new countries. Here are a few that made the cut:

New York City

The beautiful and historic city is always a popular tourist attraction. Along with its 8.4 million residents, New York City has great entertainment, but the reason to visit the big apple this year is because  2011 marks special anniversaries throughout the city. The Statue of Liberty turns 125 years old in October, Carnegie Hall celebrates 120 years with gala anniversary events in spring, and the New York Public Library turns 100.  Also, the city will commemorate the 10 year anniversary of the tragic events of 9/11 with the opening of the National September 11 Memorial at Ground Zero.

Curacao

It’s not every day the world gets a new country. But 2011 will mark Curacao’s first full year as an autonomous nation within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, adding a new chapter to the island’s rich history. Among its first orders of business is making itself more accessible to Americans and Canadians. So be on the lookout for more flights and hotel rooms that will put the island’s warm waters and colorful architecture a little closer to visitors in need of a dose of upscale Caribbean relaxation. New offerings include  Continental airline service from Newark and a new Hyatt Regency set to open in April.

Japan

Easier access by air and land, plus cultural festivities make 2011 a great year to visit Japan. A new Open Skies agreement between Japan and the U.S. means increased collaboration on flight booking and schedules among airlines. Already, Tokyo’s Haneda Airport has opened up to U.S. airlines for the first time ever, giving travelers more central airlift to the city; and nearby Tokyo Narita has boosted capacity in preparation for more visitors. Within Japan, newly extended bullet train routes connect to destinations such as Aomori, known for its late spring cherry blossoms and host of Japan’s largest summer festival, and Kyushu, home to historic sites such as a castle with Ninja-proof walls.

Others that should be on your list are: Turku, Finland, New Zealand, Atlanta, Tallinn, Estonia, Delhi, Gettysburg, and Astoria, Oregon.

So brush up on your Japanese and/or Finnish and get packing.

Where are YOU planning to travel in 2011?

via www.usa.today

Haxey Hood

What happens when a Lord, a Fool, and Eleven Boggins get together with a big leather tube? Haxey Hood.

Every year on the 6^th of January, save for those which fall on a Sunday (in which the event is moved to the 5^th), people gather around in the town of Haxey, England, to push a leather tube, called the “hood”, to one of four pubs where it will remain until the same time next year. The game itself resembles rugby, and may very well be the oldest local tradition in England.

The origin of this custom is a bit cloudy, but the most accepted story is that sometime during the 14^th century, Lady de Mowbray, the wife of an Isle Landowner, was out riding when her hood blew off. 13 farm workers in the field rushed to help her and chased the hood down for her. In exchange, she donated 13 acres of land in exchange that this practice be reenacted every year.

There are thirteen characters from this original tale represented every year in this game: the lord, the fool, and eleven boggins. After everyone is gathered around and warming up is completed, the Sway Hood is thrown up in the air. Everyone then begins the game to try and get the Sway Hood into one of four pubs in either Haxey or Westwoodside. The game ends when the Hood arrives at one of the pubs and is touched by the landlord from his front step.

At any time there are about 200 people in the “Sway” (the fight to push and pull the actual hood), and around 1,000 people watching.

Have you participated in anything like this before?

A Taste of Mexico

What Mezcal was served in for the tasting

Last month, I was invited by Vicente Sanchez the consular of Mexico for Michigan and Ohio to a Mezcal tasting event for a celebration of the 2010 Mexican bicentennial anniversary.

The tasting was a truly unique and fun experience. I learned so much from the host at Migual’s Cantina. If you are wondering what the difference is between Mezcal and Tequila there are many including how many times it is distilled and even the use of the worm is in debate.

Fried Grasshoppers, salted and served with nuts

What I found interesting is the how you taste, with what you taste and how the traditional drink got its start. Here are a few of my non-scientific findings:

• Mezcal got its start with the Spanish Conquest and was used to convince the native Indians to work in the mines.
• There are over 200 different kinds of Agave plants and at least 150 are grown in Mexico
• When drinking Mezcal you should make a kissing face with your lips and sip.
• Before drinking Mezcal, you should produce a bit of saliva and when the sip is taken you should move the liquid across all your taste buds.
• Mezcal has a strong smokey flavor and can make you cough the first time you drink it.
• Mezcal is usually served as a shot, with a side plate of fried larvae ground with chili peppers and salt and cut limes. (notice picture of the grasshoppers – yes I tried them and am not a fan but I tried it! )
• Supposedly Mezcal is one of the only alcohols that will not give you a hang over. It comes from a polycarpic plant which starts to digest as soon as it hits your tongue.
• Just like with other drinks here are high end and low end Mezcals.  But note many are handcrafted.

This was a fantastic opportunity to learn about the very rich and old culture of Mexico.  I am so glad I was able to attend this unique experience and taste at bit of Mexico.

Do you have a drink or food that is a tradition for you and your culture?  Please share with us!

Happy New Year… From Around the World!

Happy last day of 2010 every one!

Coming from a Russian background, New Year’s Eve has always been a big deal in my family. Although I have never been a part of a New Year’s celebration in Russia, I have heard countless stories about the traditions and customs.

In the Russian culture New Year’s Eve is a very important holiday, one which people look forward to from January 1st. Amongst the most popular New Year symbols is a New Year’s Tree called Novogodnaya Yolka which is topped with a bright star and decorated with various sweets. Another popularly celebrated New Year tradition is the arrival of Ded Moroz or Father Frost (Santa Claus) and his granddaughter Snegurochka the snow girl. They bring in New Year presents for the good children and keep them under the New Year’s Tree.

New Year is more of a winter vacation in Russia. Schools remain closed from January 1 till January 13. The main New Year celebrations begin from night of December 31. People usually prefer to spend the day with their friends and family members. Party clubs, hotels and discotheques are all jammed up at the time of New Year. The main New Year celebrations come to an end on January 13th, when the country celebrates the Old – Style New Year. This day is not declared as a public holiday but is celebrated to mark the beginning of the year according to the Julian calendar.

I love New Year’s Eve because it is celebrated differently all around the world. It marks the end of one year and all that is to come in the new year. Different cultures everywhere have different customs and traditions that make New Year’s Eve unique to their country.

Here is a list of some other interesting customs:

* Traditionally, the Spanish eat 12 grapes at midnight—for good luck.
* Displaying paper cuttings in China is a traditional custom.
* Mochituki—making New Year’s rice cakes is a fun Japanese tradition.
* In Thailand’s Songkran (The Water Festival), people get wet!
* Eating Ttok-Kuk (Rice Cake Soup) is traditional on the Korean New Year.
* Eating black-eyed peas for luck is a tradition in southern U.S. read more…

How do you celebrate New Year’s Eve?

I hope everyone has a very Happy and Safe New Year’s Eve! Happy 2011!

Happy Kwanzaa

A lot of people know the religious and commercial aspects of Christmas but there is another holiday that is very important. It is observed for seven days from December 26th-January 1st. Kwanzaa is a weeklong celebration held in the United States honoring universal African-American heritage and culture and began in 1966.

The name Kwanzaa derives from the Swahili phrase matunda ya kwanza, meaning first fruits of the harvest. And according to wikipedia celebrates “African cultural and historical heritage by uniting in meditation and study of African traditions and Nguzu Saba, the “seven principles of blackness” which Karenga said “is a communitarian African philosophy”.

Each of the seven days of Kwanzaa is dedicated to one of the following principles, as follows:

* Umoja (Unity): To strive for and to maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race.
* Kujichagulia (Self-Determination): To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves, and speak for ourselves.
* Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility): To build and maintain our community together and make our brothers’ and sisters’ problems our problems, and to solve them together.
* Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics): To build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together.
* Nia (Purpose): To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.
* Kuumba (Creativity): To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.
* Imani (Faith): To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.

Do you celebrate Kwanzaa? Please share a picture or one of your traditions with us!

Christmas Around the World

According to Andy Williams, Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. In recent history, it may also be the most sensationalized holiday as well. Countries all over the world from the U.S. to Italy, or even to Japan celebrate this holiday every year, even if only a small portion of their populations are Christian. It’s really quite amazing.

For instance, every year in Russia, the holiday of Christmas is observed on January 7^th through the church. This is because the Russian Orthodox Church uses the Julian Calendar, which is 13 days behind the Gregorian Calendar used in most Western Countries. More and more these days, Christmas is being celebrated on the 25^th of December in Russia, though Church celebrations are generally still on the 7^th.

By contrast, Japan celebrates Christmas one day early, on the 24^th of December. This is an example of a country where Christmas is generally observed mostly as a commercial holiday. Stores begin having sales around the beginning of December, donned with Christmas trees, Santa Clauses, gifts and decorations, but only about 1% of the population of Japan is actually Christian. Christmas cake with strawberries and whipped cream is the general Christmas food, along with fried chicken. Wild!

It’s so interesting to think about all the different ways Christmas is celebrated throughout the world. Whether it has mostly religious undertones, or commercial undertones, Christmas is a genuinely recognized time of good will and gift giving around the world.
Tell us about how you’ve seen or heard of Christmas being celebrated! Do you and your loved ones celebrate it any certain way?

Tall Ship Sailing

The thought of sailing the world, seeing different destinations, and meeting people from all over isn’t just something for retirees anymore, and what’s more – It’s free.

There are actually opportunities available for individuals who are able-bodied to volunteer on the deck of a tall ship – that being a ship with masts and sails, the whole deal- and travel from port to port, with your only payment being volunteer work on for the ship. You can pick a departure and destination, hop on, and be on your way. These voyages take place either for a day, weeks, months, or as long as it takes to trek the entire planet. Wow!

I had the pleasure of speaking with a gentleman who had actually participated in this on and off for about five years, and he couldn’t say enough good things about it.  He referred me tohttp://www.sailtraining.org/ to find out more information.

Have you ever been on a boat? Would you be interested in doing something this?

The Four Days March

If you’re any sort of walking or travel enthusiast, this event is for you. Every year, beginning in the oldest city in the Netherlands–Nijmegen– the largest annual walk in the world is held.

The march, which began as a military event with some civilians included, now attracts over 40,000 walkers, only about 5,000 of which are military. These marchers are committed to walking either 30, 40, or 50 kilometers a day for 4 days, depending on their age and health.  That’s about 5 marathons worth.

At the end of it all, all the marchers who complete the task are rewarded with an official Dutch decoration which can be worn on a military uniform. It is fully named the “Cross for Demonstrated Marching Skill,” and different medals are awarded signifying multiple completions of the walk.

At least year’s walk, over 60 nations were represented, and the surrounding festivities attracted over 1 million people. Participants are able to meet people from all over the world while walking, and you can experience local towns, coffeehouses, restaurants, and historic buildings.  How cool!

Have you ever participated in any international events like this? Tell us about it!

The World Cup: Bringing People Together One Game at a Time

Watching the World Cup go through it’s process of selecting host cities this week was fascinating. So many different countries with such varied cultures all vying to host the same international spectacle is not something we get to witness often. And what an eventful year! Not only does Russia get to host the games, forcing them to pump billions of dollars into their infrastructure to prepare, but there is also going to be the first World Cup in the Middle East when Qatar hosts the games in 2022. The average American may not realize the significance that the tournament has on world culture, but it is huge. The World Cup is an international, cross-cultural, unifying event rivaled only by the Olympics.

It got me thinking about the unification of cultures across our world. We tend to see different countries as incredibly foreign…no pun intended. We are far too often focused on the things that separate our cultures, rather than the things we share. It is profound to think that a simple game like soccer can be such a touchstone for so many citizens of the earth, regardless of where they are from.

On some level, the same could be said for language. When I was in high school, I opted to take Latin instead of Spanish. I can’t recall why…probably because there was a cute girl in the Latin class. That’s not the point. The point is, having a background in Latin has helped tremendously while studying new languages on Mango. I have found that Latin is the base for most of the romantic languages and elements can still be found in all of them. To think that a language spread out across the world and morphed into the dialog of so many different cultures is kind of awe-inspiring. Here is something that the citizens of these countries use everyday…language…and it can all be traced back to one source. Without even realizing it, the very words they say connect them to people on the other side of the Earth.

So, whether it’s a sport or simply the words we use, times like this show us that there are many things that join us with the rest of the world that we don’t usually consider. Almost as much fun as exploring the world and discovering all the things that make us unique, is exploring the world and finding the things that make us the same. I have absolutely no idea who is going to win the tournament in ’18 or ’22, but I know the world will be watching it and talking about it. Thanks to Mango and my old Latin teacher, I might just understand what they have to say.

The more I learn here on Mango, the smaller the world gets…that’s one of my favorite things about it.