Christmas Around the World

As the holiday season is approaching, I found it interesting to view the different ways that countries enjoy the infamous holiday, Christmas. All around the world people know the holiday, and children await its arrival. However, each country puts its own twist on it. Follow me through a journey of a few countries and how they celebrate Christmas.

Australia:
Australia is located in the Southern Hemisphere, so Christmas to them is not heavy coats and snow fall. Instead their Christmas is accompanied by surfing, hiking, and camping. Even though they do not share the typical cold weather that Americans associate with Christmas, they still put up trees, wreaths, and lights for the holidays. The main difference that I have found is that Santa does not have his team of reindeer instead he is pulled by "six white boomers" or six white kangaroos.

Costa Rica:
Costa Ricans celebrate Christmas in a much more tropical way than us Americans. They decorate their doors and houses with tropical flowers, and cypress and coffee bean wreaths. Their Nativity scenes are adorned with traditional figures, and many animals (not all of which are found in traditional scenes). Their presents are not delivered by Santa, instead the "Niño Dios" visits them and brings them gifts. 

Japan:

Christmas in Japan is not a religious holiday. Instead Christmas is more of a time to get together with those you love and to be happy. Christmas Eve in Japan, is similar to Valentines Day in the UK and USA.  It is a time when couples tend to go out on dates to see the lights, exchange gifts, and go out for romantic dinners. A 'strange' thing that many Japanese families do on Christmas is eat Kentucky Fried Chicken! In the 70's KFC did a holiday campaign called "Kentucky for Christmas", and it has stuck around for several decades. 

Now that you have a little bit more knowledge of other Christmases have a Merry Christmas yourself, and Happy Holidays!

Underwater Beauty

There are many different places in the world that claim to have the most beautiful waters. However, many of those bodies of water are often very plain, and often easily comparable to other water destinations. These different places can be found all around the U.S.A. and across the world. All of these places claim to be the best of their kind, and instead you get a large range of great beaches, lakes, rivers, and watery locations. The truly amazing places lie beneath the waters.

Musa Cancun is a beautiful underwater museum. The sculptures were created and placed under the water in order to create a man made coral reef. The goal was to reinvigorate the sea life in an artistic manner. The result is something phenomenal.

It seems well worth it to visit these beautiful sculptures, and while you are at it visit the beautiful land around it. To visit you must schedule private adventures with places such as Aquaworld, since the area is protected. However, seeing the over 500 statues in their current condition is something that is a once in a life time opportunity.

I hope to see you "Under the Sea"!

Music From Around the World

A large part of learning and experiencing other cultures is the music styles that the cultures have. Here I have compiled a list of songs, with accompanying videos, of songs from around the world that will make you feel as if you are there. 

Russia:
"Russian Sailor's Dance" by Rienhold Gliere, from the Ballet "The Red Poppy"

South Korea:
"Bang Bang Bang" by Big Bang

Zimbabwe:
Traditional Drum song and Dance

Spain:
"Ave Maria" by David Bisbal

Germany:
"Eine Kleine Nachtmusik" by Mozart

USA:
"Take Me Home Country Roads" by John Denver

I hope you enjoyed your travels around the world today!

Eastern University: Staycation

As a college student it can be incredibly difficult to find the time, or money, to go on a vacation. A great alternative for a vacation, is a staycation. This is possibly the best choice for a broke college student, who wants to have a fun weekend.

In my opinion, this is the best plan for a staycation based at Eastern University.

1. Take a train to Philly, and plan to spend most of the day there.
2. Take advantage of the four squares in Philly.
• Washington Square
• City park with memorials to George Washington and unnamed soldiers of the revolution.
• Franklin Square
• Has a fountain, mini-golf, and a carousel
• Logan Square
• Has a large fountain, statues, and garden style benches.
• Rittenhouse Square
• Famous for greenery, and is a great place for walks. This square also frequently houses markets and events.
3. Many places offer discounts on admission for college students, with ID.
• Philadelphia Museum of Art
• Admission is $14
• The Wilma Theater
• $10 tickets
• Magic Gardens 
• $5 tickets
• Irvine Produce
• 10% off purchace
4. Enjoy your time in the city.
5. Take the train back.
6. Order Insomnia Cookies, incredibly late at night.
7. Have a great time with some friends!

This, in my opinion, is a great staycation for a college student. 

For some more information on student discounts in Philly visit: https://thetab.com/us/temple/2015/11/16/best-student-discounts-never-knew-philly-1269

For some more information on great places to visit in Philly:

https://www.wanderu.com/blog/places-in-philadelphia-for-college-students/

Happy Traveling!

Paris, France

Parlez-vous français? No? Well, that’s okay. You do not have to be able to speak French for this week’s destination (since you do not have to leave your seat!).

Today our focus is the City of Love, otherwise known as Paris, France. Paris is known as not only the City of Love, but also as the City of Lights, and as a major art center of the world.

Paris annually has 32,000,000 visitors each year! 6.9 million of those visitors are said to visit the Eiffel Tower. Today I have provided a video of Paris that highlights fun facts, fun places, and the expensive things that we all wish we could afford.

We may not have the money to spend like a millionaire, c'est la vie. However, we can enjoy one of the most beautiful cities through the media that documents it and that comes out of it.

I hope you enjoy Paris!

Au revoir!

Welcome!

Welcome, to The Stationary Traveler blog! The Stationary Traveler page is intended to bring those of us who wish to travel and learn about other countries and cultures, closer to our dreams. Every country is unique and has unique traditions, food, music, politics, and festivals. Even within countries there are unique sub-cultures that should be given more of a spotlight.

Each week I will be updating this blog with information and fun things about a different amazing culture. Each new culture will be focused on either language, traditions, food, or festivals. Where many will be different countries, some may be based in the United States, but be about a smaller group of people.

As an individual I have always wanted to know more about different cultures, they have always been fascinating to me. The idea of having a completely different way of life than those of us who live in the United States, is not only interesting but it is also question provoking.  On my journey to find out more the rest of the world, I hope you will be my traveling companion!

See you soon!