Christmas in Holland - Prettige Kersfeest!

Christmas traditions in Holland have been in the spotlight and under scrutiny this year, and in years past, but I'll get to that later. Let's start with the happy stuff! Families in Holland celebrate what they call St. Nicholas' Day on December 6th, with celebrations on St. Nicholas Eve.

On St. Nicholas Eve a meal is shared and for dessert there might be a letterbanket, or a letter cake. This is a cake made in the shape of the first letter of the family's last name. In some instances everyone might receive a small personal cake in the shape of their first initial. Gifts are also shared on St. Nicholas Eve. Gifts are meant to be surprises, the giver not necessarily known. They are signed Sinterklaas (Santa) and are accompanied by a poem or verse that the giver has written. Gifts might also be hidden around the house with clues about their locations, or hidden within another object. The whole idea is mystery and surprise. That night children leave out shoes filled with hay and carrots for Sinterklaas' horse, and hope that they will have toys in their shoes in the morning.

Sinterklaas is a bishop who arrives in Holland by boat, and is greeted by many when he arrives in the harbor of Amsterdam. He comes on his white horse and with his helper, Zwarte Piet. The mayor meets him and leads a procession through town. Both Sinterklaas and Zwarte Piet live in Spain, and Piet spends the year keeping a list of things children have done in the past year, be it good or bad. Good children receive presents, bad children might be chased by Piet with a stick. Old songs even warn that bad children will be put in a sack and taken back to Spain.

On December 26th the Dutch celebrate Second Christmas Day, which is spent eating out at a restaurant and maybe seeing a Christmas musical or concert. Some children leave out stockings on Christmas Eve, but most only receive gifts on St. Nicholas Eve.

The reason for the recent upset over Holland's Christmas traditions is Zwarte Piet himself, as his name translates to Black Pete. Many are outraged over what they perceive as blatant racism dating back to Holland's days as participants in the slave trade. Piet was originally portrayed as a jester for the amusement of children, and today is still cartoonish with a black painted face, an afro and bright red lipstick. Attempts have been made to change the tradition, even changing the color of Pete's face from black to another color such as green or rainbow colored. But overall, the Dutch have stuck to their old ways.

Christmas in Finland - Hyvaa Joulua!

The Christmas season in Finland starts on the first Sunday of December, also known as the First Advent. This is when decorating begins, houses are cleaned, and Christmas trees are set up (usually a fir tree).

A doll dressed for St. Lucy's Day

December 13th is Saint Lucy's day and is celebrated to honor Saint Lucy, a Christian martyr who is the patron saint of the blind. In traditional celebrations Saint Lucy is portrayed by a young girl with a crown of lights or carrying a candle.

Most holiday celebration occurs on Christmas Eve. The day may consist of a visit to the cemetery to remember loved ones who have passed, leaving candles on their graves. Lunch this day is rice pudding or porridge and the meal time might be spent listening to the Declaration of Peace on the tv or radio. Families also traditionally visit the a sauna on this day before partaking of their Christmas dinner later that evening. Farm animals and birds might also be given a special treat when farmers hang wheat or nuts and suet from a tree.

What's very special is that many believe Santa Claus lives in Finland, on the mountain of Korvatunturi in the town of Savukoski. This is in the northern area of Finland known as Lapland. On Christmas Eve each child receives a personal visit from Santa Claus, or Joulupukki, since Finland is his first stop of the night. He knocks on the front door and when welcomed in asks if the children have been good. After presents are handed out Santa leaves to deliver gifts to the rest of the world.

Hyvaa Joulua everyone!

The Declaration of Peace

Tomorrow, God willing, is the graceful celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior; and thus is declared a peaceful Christmas time to all, by advising devotion and to behave otherwise quietly and peacefully, because he who breaks this peace and violates the peace of Christmas by any illegal or improper behavior shall under aggravating circumstances be guilty and punished according to what the law and statutes prescribe for each and every offence separately.

Finally, a joyous Christmas feast is wished to all inhabitants of the city.

PS - I'm not sure how peaceful that Declaration of Peace really sounds...

Christmas in India - Shub Naya Baras!

Christmas may only be celebrated by a small percentage of the Indian population, but it is celebrated. Only around 2.3% of the population in India are Christians, but that does equal out to about 25 million people. Similar to the US you will find Christmas trees in India, common Christmas decorations, nativity scenes and some closed schools and businesses. Christmas is celebrated on the 25th of December.

Midnight mass on Christmas Eve is a wide spread tradition that is very important to Catholic Indians.Father Christmas, Christmas Baba in Hindi, visits children who have been good throughout the year and delivers presents by horse and cart. A decoration specific to India are paper lanterns in the shape of stars. These are hung between houses so they float over the sidewalks below.

Star Lanterns

Looking into specific regions of India, you can find some unique traditions. In some areas it is more common to find a decorated banana or mango tree instead of a pine. Banana and mango leaves might also be used to decorate the home. In southern parts of India families place clay oil lamps on their flat roofs to symbolize the light of Jesus. The Bhil of the northern regions celebrate by going out and singing carols each night for the week leading up to Christmas.

So happy Indian Christmas - in several languages below!

Hindi - Bade Din ki Mubarak
Sanskrit - Krismasasya shubhkaamnaa
Bengali - Barodiner shubhechha janai
Tamil - Christhu Jayanthi Nalvaalthukal

Christmas in Mexico - Feliz Navidad!

Ready for another origin story? Well, how about Poinsettias as Christmas flowers? The legend goes back to 16th century Mexico when it is told a child who was unable to buy a gift for the celebration of Jesus' birthday was told by an angel to pick the weeds alongside the church. Upon placing the weeds at the alter they blossomed into the beautiful red bloom of a poinsettia. In the 17th century Franciscan friars in Mexico were using the flowers in Christmas decorations. The star shape of the flower represents the star of Bethlehem, while the color represents the blood sacrifice of Jesus. Poinsettia's were brought to America by botanist Joel Roberts Poinsett in 1825, and obviously given a new name. The plant as an American Christmas decoration didn't become popular until the early 1900s.

Celebrations in Mexico often include a Posada, which is a procession reenacting the night Joseph and Mary searched for an inn. Children go door-to-door singing songs and asking for shelter. Each house will tell the children there is no room. Eventually, a designated place is reached where the children are welcomed in for prayer and a party. The procession may include music, people dressed as Mary and Joseph, or children carrying lanterns.

Christmas pinatas are also common. The pinatas are usually shaped in the form of a star with seven points. Each point represents one of the seven deadly sins. The candy and treats inside represent the blessings that God gives to us. And of course most people know that children are blindfolded and given a bat with which they attempt to hit and break open the pinata so the candy falls out.

The main day of celebration in Mexico falls on January 6th, Epiphany...El Dia de los Reyes (The Day of the Three Kings). On the eve of Epiphany children put their shoes outside filled with hay for the animals the Wise Men ride. The Wise Men then leave gifts for the children, which are opened on the 6th. A special cake is shared that day called Rosca de Reyes (Three Kings Cake). Inside the cake is a small figure of Jesus (or other small trinket). Whoever receives the slice with the figure receives something special, or a special privilege. Or they may be required to make tamales for the Candlemas celebration on February 2nd, celebrating the day Jesus was taken to the church to be named, and marking the end of the Christmas season.

I'm thinking I'm going to celebrate the Mexican way and leave all my Christmas decorations up until February 2nd!

Feliz Navidad everyone!

Christmas in England - Happy Christmas!

Now we come to the origin of the Christmas Card. The first ever Christmas cards were illustrated by John Callcott Horsley in London in 1843. The card depicted a family sitting together drinking wine and read "A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You." 2,050 cards were produced and sold for a shilling each. The first Christmas card in America was offered in 1875. The first official White House Christmas card was sent in 1953 by Dwight D. Eisenhower. I don't know how you get on the list to receive a White House Christmas card, but in 2005 1.4 million people received one.

The first Christmas card

Christmas decorations and Christmas trees are very popular in England. Every year Norway presents England with a Christmas tree, and has been doing so since 1947. The tree is a gift of thanks for the help England provided to Norway during the Second World War. The tree is usually a Norway Spruce and is lit in Trafalgar Square in London.

Children hang stockings or pillow cases (brilliant, just think how much bigger pillow cases are!) either on the fireplace mantel or the foot of their beds. Father Christmas comes on Christmas Eve to fill the stockings (or pillow cases) and leave gifts. Gifts are opened Christmas day, a day spent with family. Families may attend mass, and usually have a Christmas dinner. Most noted is the dessert of Christmas Pudding.

The tradition of pudding goes back to medieval England and the original recipe included 13 ingredients to symbolize the 12 apostles and Christ. It was to be made on the 25th Sunday after Trinity (a few weeks before Christmas) and each member of the family would take a turn stirring counterclockwise (east to west) to represent the direction the Wise Men traveled. Of course there are many different recipes and ways to make the pudding now. Sometimes wishes are made while stirring, or small coins are baked into the pudding which are to be kept by whoever receives that slice. Yes, slice. We're talking more of a fruit cake than a bowl of squishy, jiggly pudding.

Another English tradition is pantomime. These are musical, comedic theatrical productions performed around Christmas which usually contain a moral and good prevailing over evil. Current day pantomimes have evolved from the Mummer's Plays performed thousands of years ago in England.

So with that I wish you a Happy Christmas!

Christmas in Ireland - Nollaig Shona Duit!

As is the same with most other countries Christmas is celebrated from Christmas Eve until January 6th, which you should well know by now is known as Epiphany. However, in Ireland the 6th is also referred to as Little Christmas or Little Women's Christmas. This is usually the day decorations are taken down, but not by the women. Oh no, this day is a day for the women to relax or go out and have fun while the men take care of the housework and chores. Ireland, you're doing it right.

Orrrr...maybe not. Because before Christmas arrives the houses are whitewashed and cleaned top to bottom. Every inch of the inside and outside of the house, plus the barns and stalls are cleaned. Much like our time of spring cleaning.

Decorations in Ireland revolve primarily around the use of Holly. The green plant and red berries is widely used in the US (think wreaths), but the tradition began in Ireland. As an easily available plant, it was used as decorations so that even the poor were able to make their homes festive. It was used far before Christmas trees became popular in the country. Families would go out and find Holly together, looking for a tree with plentiful berries, as they were seen as lucky. And the holly went everywhere, behind hanging photos, on the mantel, dressers, etc.

On Christmas Eve families light a candle (or put up an electric candle) in the window to symbolize lighting the way for Mary and Joseph. It also symbolizes welcoming and warmth for friends and family. A Christmas cake, which women begin to prepare weeks before Christmas, is usually first cut on Christmas Eve. The cake is made with dried fruit, nuts, spices, and soaked in whiskey or brandy. Santa Clause, Daidi na Nollag (Daddy of Christmas) brings children presents on Christmas Eve and children leave out cookies and milk. Although in years past Santa might have enjoyed a mince pie and a glass of Guinness.

On Christmas day people may take part in the traditional Christmas swim...in the freezing cold water...in the freezing cold weather. Money is raised for charity at events all over the country, and some say it's a great hangover cure. The day after Christmas is known as St. Stephen's Day, or the Day of the Wren. A legend tells of St. Stephen (one of the first Christian martyrs) who was hiding from enemies and then betrayed by the chirping of a wren, and was later stoned to death. In days long ago on the 26th boys would hunt and stone a wren to death, then tie it to a stick and parade around town. These days a model wren is tied to a stick and boys may go door to door asking for charity money.

So have some cake, cut some holly, hide your wren, and Nollaig Shona Duit everyone!

Christmas in Germany - Frohe Weihnachten!

If you have one of those little calendars with a slot that opens each day leading up to Christmas that contains a picture, or chocolate, or small toy, then you've been practicing a German tradition. Many Germans set out an advent wreath, adventskranz, on a table with four candles - a candle for each week of the advent (the time leading up to Christ's birthday). The first candle is lit on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, with another being lit on each consecutive Sunday. The original advent calendars were simple paper cards which opened to reveal a picture, with the 24th spot usually showing the nativity. Now they're filled with all sorts of things, and a fun countdown to Christmas.

We also have Germany to mostly thank for the Christmas tree. The concept of decorating a pine for Christmas originated in Germany in the early 18th century, but was not widely popular until the 1870-1871 war, when the army placed Christmas trees in barracks and military hospitals.

Advent Wreath

Germans have one big Christmas tree difference though, something that doesn't seem to have spread along with the tree's popularity. Kids are not traditionally included in the decorating of the tree. Usually on Christmas Eve (and not before) the tree is placed in a locked room where the parents decorate it. At some point during the night the children are allowed into the room to see the lit and decorated tree, possibly already surrounded by presents.

Christkind

And who brings those presents? Well on December 5th, the eve of St. Nicholas Day, children leave out their shoes and boots for Weihnachtsmann ("Christmas Man") to fill with candies and treats if they were good, or sticks if they were naughty. Then on Christmas Eve, December 24th, the children leave out letters for Christkind, a winged crowned figure that leaves presents for Christmas morning. Double the presents for German kids!

So, Frohe Weihnachten everyone!

Christmas In France - Joyeux Noel!

Christmas is celebrated on December 25th in France, but other Christmas celebrations take place throughout the month. In some areas Christmas begins on December 6th, which is la fete de Saint Nicolas. In Lyon, December 8th, la fete de lumieres, is a day to pay homage to the virgin Mary by placing candles in window sills. Also, like Italians, some French celebrate Epiphany...but they celebrate this day on January 1st. (Around the world pick a day and call it Christmas...)

Christmas Eve, the actual Eve of Christmas being December 24th, families traditionally attend la Messe de Minuit, a Catholic midnight mass. After mass there is a large feast known as le Reveillon. Food served might be goose, oysters, turkey, or chicken. It varies by region.

Children put shoes in front of the fireplace that will be filled with gifts from Pere Noel. They will also wake to find that the Christmas tree (sapin de noel in French) has been covered with small toys, fruit, and candy. Naughty children might get a visit from Pere Fouettard, who dishes out spankings instead of toys.

The French too put much emphasis on nativity scenes and reenactments. Plays and puppet shows are used to teach the lessons of Christianity and the meaning behind Christmas. There may also be mistletoe and a yule log, which is burned from Christmas Even until the new year. Or eaten. Sometimes a real yule log is replaced by a cake that resembled a log.

So, Joyeux Noel everyone!

Christmas in Italy - Buon Natale!

Christmas in Italy is celebrated from Christmas Eve to January 6th, the day known as Epiphany. Epiphany is the day that the Three Wise Men arrived to meet and give gifts to Baby Jesus, and is the Italian's main day of celebration.

On the eve of Epiphany children are visited by La Befana. The legend of La Befana tells that the wise men stopped at an old woman's shack to ask for directions, and invited her to come along. She declined, also declining the invitation of a shepherd. Later in the night, when she saw the star in the sky she decided to find the manger. She gathered toys that had belonged to her deceased child and set out, but she got lost and never was able to find the Baby in the manger. La Befana still looks for Baby Jesus, filling children's stockings with toys as she searches. Most interestingly, La Befana is portrayed as an old witch who flies on a broomstick. Halloween meets Christmas.

Although La Befana and the Epiphany are still the most popular traditions, gift-giving on Christmas is also gaining popularity. Toys on Christmas Eve are delivered by Babbo Natale, Santa Claus. Christmas Eve is celebrated with a usually meatless dinner, or in the case of Naples fish is served. Nativity scenes are a main focus of Christmas celebration and decoration, and a live nativity is often held on Christmas Eve, along with bonfires in the main squares.Christmas trees are also becoming popular in Italy. The Guinness Book named the 650 meter (a little over 2,000 feet) tree on Monte Ingino, that is lit up with over 700 lights, "The World's Tallest Christmas Tree."

So, Buon Natale everyone!

Christmas in Africa

I feel like I'm ok to start talking about Christmas, because at least Halloween has passed now. If you still aren't ready for Christmas carols or candy canes, come back in about a month and catch up.

Every family has unique holiday traditions. They might be based on religion, ethnicity, or simply what grandparents and great-grandparents set in motion. But everyone does something - even if it's sitting in front of the tv drinking beer and watching A Christmas Story. It's still something.

This next series is going to be looking at Christmas and the holidays around the world. A different country or region each time. I want to cover a lot, which is why I'm starting now. So deck the halls and grab some egg nog.

First we visit...Africa. And the first thing you must know is that they don't celebrate Kwanzaa, like you might be thinking. Kwanzaa is an African-American holiday, and largely unknown in Africa itself. Africans place the focus of the holiday on spirituality and being together with friends and family; much like we do, but without the attention to gifts and other commercial aspects.Aside from the basic principals, Christmas varies largely from country to country.

Ethiopians and Egyptians celebrate Christmas on a day that is January 7th for most of the world, but is actually December 25th for them. Other countries will be celebrating the same day as those of us in the US. But no white Christmas for them, since December falls in the middle of the African summer.

Although gifts may be exchanged, most families cannot afford this Christmas tradition. You won't find any Santa Clause and toy stores are rare, even in rural areas of Africa. Most gifts that are exchanged are practical items such as books or soaps, or a new set of clothes for church on Christmas morning. Much of Christmas day is spent at church, singing, acting out plays, or dancing in celebration. A meal may be shared with family and friends - and from my reading it seems goat is high on the menu.

There may be some decorating for Christmas, especially in store fronts and shops. Churches and homes may also be decorated, and instead of a pine you may find an adorned mango tree or palm tree. I'm guessing not many snowman images.

Lastly, you should know how to say "Merry Christmas"...so here you go.
Ghana - Afishapa
Zimbabwe - Merry Kisimusi
South Africa - Geseende Kersfees
Tanzania, Kenya - Kuwa na Krismasi njema
Ethiopia - Melkam Yelidet Beaal
Egypt - Colo sana wintom tiebeen
Nigeria - E ku odun, e hu iye' dun

Funny Translations: Movie Titles

Oh I see a mini series coming out of funny translations, but I'm going to start with movie titles. I don't know if it's someone using google translate, or just thinking they're apt at Japanese, but movie titles can get seriously twisted when sent to other countries from the US. Of course some titles are changed when they contain an American reference that wouldn't make sense in another country (Harold and Kumar go to White Castle was changed to Harold and Kumar get the Munchies in London, since they don't have White Castles...then again, does the US?!), or if a country might find our US title offensive. Either way...check out these title changes.

• Knocked Up - Slightly Pregnant, Peru (slightly...are you kidding)
• Grease - Vaseline, Argentina (I attribute this one to google translate)
• The Full Monty - Six Naked Pigs, China (accurate though wrong)
• American Pie - American Virgin Man, Hong Kong (ha!)
• Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs - It's Raining Falafel, Israel (no meatballs for them)
• Die Hard with a Vengeance - Die Hard: Mega Hard, Denmark (don't just die...DIE!)
• Airplane! - The Unbelievable Trip in a Wacky Aeroplane, Germany (not going for simplicity)
• The Sixth Sense - He's a Ghost!, China (way to ruin it! you didn't even say spoiler alert)
• Home Alone - Mom, I Missed the Plane, France (well...yeah)
• The Parent Trap - A Twin Seldom Comes Alone, Germany (again...well, yeah)
• The Waterboy - Dimwit Surges Forth, Thailand (no football in Thailand?)
• Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me - Austin Powers: The Spy Who Behaved Very Nicely Around Me, Malaysia (why even release the movie...seriously)
• Meet the Parents: Little Fockers - Zany Son-in-Law, Zippy Grandkids, Sour Father-in_Law (the Thais are so specific)
• Due Date - Odd Couple, Wacky Trip, Go Together in Time for Birth, Thailand (see!)
• The Cat in the Hat - Cat, Don't Touch His Hat!, Croatia (I think they missed the point)
• Babe - The Happy Dumpling-to-Be Who Talks and Solves Agricultural Problems, Hong Kong (I know, you were thinking Thailand)
• Field of Dreams - Imaginary Dead Baseball Players Live in My Cornfield, Hong Kong (again, with the spoilers)
• The Pacifier - A Super Kangaroo, Spain (I got nothin')
• The Long Kiss Goodnight - Bloody Christmas (rather apt really)
• Pretty Woman - I Will Marry a Prostitute and Save Money, China (I would think that would actually cost a lot)
• The Matrix - The Young People Who Traverse Dimensions While Wearing Sunglasses, France (that's about all I thought of that movie too)
• Weekend at Bernie's - The Dead Body is Very Live, Spain (that is the general plot)
• Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory - The Boy That Drowned in Chocolate Sauce, Denmark (way to hone in one a minute and half of a two hour movie)
• As Good as it Gets - Mr. Cat Poop (I don't even know...)

Well there ya go, that little list should have at least made you laugh.

Take a Big Whiff...

...of air. Now you can breath in (for like, half a minute) air from your favorite places around the world. Czech photographer, Kirill Rudenko, has begun selling canned air. My first impression of this is that he's not that great a photographer and this is a desperate attempt to avoid foreclosure on his house. My second impression, is that people will buy anything.

Each $10, 3 and a half inch can is packed with12.7 ounces of air from different areas of popular cities: New York, Paris, Riga (Latvia), Singapore, Berlin, and Prague. He claims the air "relieves stress, cures homesickness, and helps fighting nostalgia." I think he means "helps to fight nostalgia." He's Czech, I'll let it slide.

New York air contains the following formula:

• 20% Empire State Building
• 10% Grand Central Terminal
• 10% Chrysler Building
• 20% Statue of Liberty
• 10% Little Italy, Chinatown (guess they're so close together they smell the same?)
• 10% Brooklyn Bridge
• 10% Time Square
• 10% Central Park

It also comes with the disclaimer that it may contain traces of the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, or Staten Island. 

Just for fun...here are the rest of the formulas.

Paris: - May contain traces of liberte, egalite, and fraternite

• 20% The Louvre
• 20% Notre Dame
• 25% The Eiffel Tower
• 15% Musee d'Orsay
• 10% Champs-Elysees
• 10% Sacre Coeur

Prague:

• 20% Wenceslas Square
• 20% Charles Bridge
• 25% Old Town Square
• 15% Prague Castle
• 10% Lesser Town
• 10% Zlata Street

Berlin: - May contain traces of Americans, British, French, Russians, and Curry Wurst (a German sausage dish)...also, I hope they mean the figurative smell of those nationalities...not actual 'traces'

• 25% Brandenburg Gate
• 10% Potsdamer Platz
• 10% Kurfurstendamm
• 20% Reichstag
• 15% Tiergarten
• 10% Charlottenburg
• 10% Checkpoint Charlie

Singapore: - Warning, do not open in public places, the offense carries a punishment of imprisonment for a term which may extend to 6 months, or with a fine extended to $25,000, or with both. (Joking, as I can find nothing to substantiate this claim)

• 25% Botanic Gardens
• 10% Chinatown
• 10% Little India
• 20% Central Business District
• 15% The Singapore Flyer
• 10% Merlion
• 10% Marina Bay Sands SkyPark

Riga: May contain traces of Russki (Russians), Ze Germans and Swedes (lol)

• 20% Old Riga
• 10% House of Blackheads
• 10% Central Market
• 20% Jurmala
• 10% Sun Stone
• 10% Livs Square
• 10% Freedom Monument
• 10% Laima Clock

And for more fun, here's my own formula for New York air:

• 10% car fumes
• 15% rotting garbage
• 5% hot dogs
• 5% pretzels
• 20% sewer
• 25% subway tunnel
• 20% Central Park (cleanish air)

If you want to make the Prague city air yours...you can buy it here. No promises that all the air from all the different cities didn't just come from Rudenko's back yard. You know....if I was sure it came from the correct cities, all these canned airs would make a stupid, yet somehow cute, little tower in my travel themed dining room.

Under the Summer Rain

Summer rain showers are supposed to cool everything off. Well, assuming you aren't in the south and humidity isn't at 89%. Generally though, a nice afternoon shower is a welcome event during high temperatures. But, we also have to assume you aren't in Needles, Colorado.

This small town set a world record on August 13th for having the hottest rainfall, at 115 degrees Fahrenheit. Now at sea level, water boils at 212 degrees Fahrenheit. For every 500 foot gain in elevation boiling point drops one degree. Needles has an elevation of 495 feet, so water boils there at roughly 211 degrees (I'm getting scientific now), a negligible difference in temperature.All that to illustrate that although the rain sounds incredibly hot, it wasn't even close to the feel of boiling water. I still wouldn't have been found standing around outside.

The record temperature of rain prior to this week was 109 degrees, first held by Marrakech, Morocco on July 10th, 2010 and then taken by Mecca, Saudia Arabia on June 5th, 2012.

Top Theme Parks

In a list of the world's top ten theme parks, Disney lays claim to all but two spots. The bottom two spots. I didn't even know about some of these Disney parks, but apparently thousands and thousands of other people did. Check out the list.

Magic Kingdom

1. Magic Kingdom, Disney World - Orlando, Florida
When Disney World is mentioned what most people are actually envisioning is Magic Kingdom, with it's star piece, Cinderella's Castle. This park annually brings in over 17 million visitors.

2. Disneyland - Anaheim, California
Although smaller than it's counterpart in Florida, Disneyland is the original Disney theme park, opening in 1955. Even at 57 years old Disneyland brings in over 16 million visitors a year.


3. Tokyo Disneyland - Tokyo, Japan
The top Disney park outside of the US, Tokyo Disneyland pulled in just under 14 million visitors last year despite being shut down for a full month in the wake of the tsunami.

4. Tokyo Disney Sea - Tokyo, Japan
This is one of the parks I didn't even know existed. The park is made up of seven themed areas, all depicting some of the world's most scenic ports of call. This park was also closed for a month in 2011, but attracted nearly 13 million visitors.

5. Disneyland Paris - Paris, France
Disneyland Paris celebrates its twentieth anniversary this year, and is doing it up with style. It's annual visitor count of just under 12 million will likely jump this year due to festivities.

Epcot

6. Epcot, Disney World - Orlando, Florida
10.8 million  yearly visitors put Epcot at #6. 2012 will see the re-opening of a new and improved Test Track, that will stand beside Soarin' and Mission:SPACE as major crowd drawers.

Expedition Everest
Animal Kingdom

7. Animal Kingdom, Disney World - Orlando, Florida
This park holds 250 species that account for 1,700 animals and brings in 9, 783,000 annual visitors.

Tower of Terror
Hollywood Studios

8. Hollywood Studios, Disney World - Orlando, Florida
This is Hollywood Studio's second year at #8, holding steady thanks to attractions like The Tower of Terror and Rock 'n' Rollar Coaster. 9.6 million people visit each year.

9. Universal Studios Japan - Osaka, Japan
Tenth anniversary celebrations in 2011 helped bring this park up onto the list with 8.5 million visitors last year. Attendance is sure to skyrocket again in 2014 when The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opens.

Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Islands of Adventure

10. Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios - Orlando, Florida
The biggest draw of this park is sure to be the first Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which opened in 2010. And an expansion is already planned. On the list for the first time with 7.6 million visitors, this park doesn't want to lose its spot.

The World at the Olympics

The Summer Olympics in London, England has brought together 204 countries/territories from around the world.

Of the over 10,000 athletes, here's the top five countries based on number of participants.
Great Britain - 541
United States - 530
Russia - 436
Australia - 410
Germany - 392

The bottom five countries based on number of participants:
Bhutan - 2
British Virgin Islands - 2
Gambia - 2
Equatorial Guinea - 2
Dominica - 2

And finally, countries/territories participating that I've never heard of:
Belarus
Tunisia
Azerbaijan
Senegal
Gabon
Moldova
Tajikistan
Kyrgyzstan
Eritrea
Mauritius
Myanmar
Mozambique
Seychelles
Djibouti
Burundi
Vanuatu
Burkina Faso
Lesotho
Tuvalu
Kiribati
Brunei
Timor-Leste

Other random facts:
London is the only city to ever host the Olympics 3 times - 1908, 1948, and 2012
It is estimated there will be 350,000 foreign visitors per day in London during the Olympics
Rio de Janeiro will host the 2016 Olympics
The Olympic rings represent the five regions of the world - Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceana and at least one of the five colors are represented in every flag in the world.


For a full list of participating countries click here.

Numbers in the above lists were gathered through Wikipedia.

Worst Names in the US

Findmypast.com, a genealogy site, recently conducted a pole to rank some of the worst town names in the US. They polled respondents from the US, England, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South African. Below is the ranking, with one being decidedly the worst. Sorry if you happen to live in any of these towns...

1. Toad Suck, Arkansas
2. Climax, Georgia
3. Boring, Oregon
4. Hooker, Oklahoma
5. Assawoman, Maryland
6. Belchertown, Massachusetts
7. Roachtown, Illinois
8. Loveladies, New Jersey
9. Squabbletown, California
10. Monkey's Eyebrow, Kentucky

I, personally, think that Monkey's Eyebrow should have come in first place, followed by Toad Suck. The number one spot taker got it's name from an old saying of the town's people. Boaters on the Arkansas River would stop at a local bar where they would "suck on the bottle 'til they swelled up like toads." Hence, Toad Suck. Good going Arkansas.

At any rate, I'm glad I don't have to send mail to anyone in these towns.

Famous Songs About Travel

I'll write down the playlist, you go spend $1.27 per song to create the ultimate road trip soundtrack.

Sweet Home Alabama - Lynyrd Skynyrd (1974)
Take Me Home, Country Roads - John Denver (1971)
Leaving on a Jet Plane - Peter, Paul, & Mary (1967)
Born to be Wild - Steppenwolf (1968)
Africa - Toto (1982)
Life is a Highway - Tom Cochrane (1991)
On the Road Again - Willie Nelson (1980)
Hotel California - The Eagles (1976)
Down Under - Men at Work (1982)
New York, New York - Frank Sinatra (1979)
Viva Las Vegas - Elvis (1964)
Walking in Memphis - Marc Cohn (1991)
(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66 - Nat King Cole (1946)
It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere - Alan Jackson (2003)
Miami - Will Smith (1998)
Kokomo - The Beach Boys (1988)
Toes - Zac Brown Band (2008)
Shut Up and Drive - Rihanna (2007)
Here I Go Again - Whitesnake (1982)
Highway to Hell - AC/DC (1979)
I Get Around - The Beach Boys (1964)
Hit the Road Jack - Ray Charles (1961)
Love Shack - B-52s (1989)
The Boys of Summer - Don Henley (1984)
Cruel Summer - Bananarama (1983)
No Sleep Til Brooklyn - The Beastie Boys (1986)
Should I Stay or Should I Go - The Clash (1981)
Wide Open Spaces - Dixie Chicks (1998)
Devil Went Down to Georgia - Charlie Daniels (1979)

Well, there are millions more...but this is all the work I'm gonna do for you. You'll have to go out and find the rest. Or, you could post a comment with your favorite travel song!

Connecticut - Small(ish) state, lots(ish) to do.

Connecticut might not look like that big of a state, but it is. Or maybe it's not that it's big, it's that they pack a lot into it. If you've ever driven down a Connecticut back road you know it's compact! Some of the roads aren't wide enough to spare the room to draw a yellow line down the center. So while I can't give you a 'what-to-do' for the entire state, and I wasn't in one particular big city that I can talk about, I'm just going to highlight a few of the places I visited.

Captain's Cove:
This little gem (oh my gosh, I can't believe I used the word gem), located on Black Rock Harbor, packs a lot of fun into a small place. Like its home state. What you'll find when you arrive in Captain's Cove is a boardwalk, looking out onto boat docks and a small harbor, and a long row of tiny houses, all built in Colonial and Victorian styles. Only they aren't houses, they're stores. Selling stuff and junk alike. Once you walk beyond the stores, you'll find a large restaurant and a fascinating collection of memorabilia; some looks like it came out of a circus tent, and some appears to have fallen off an old fishing boat. The stores open in the afternoon (although some owners open earlier). The Cove was a unique and entertaining find. More than the stores I loved the collection of...'things'...kept on the boardwalk near the restaurant.


Mystic:
There's a lot to do at Mystic Seaport, if you want to pay for it. Which I didn't, so I can't speak personally about most of it. But I can tell you that there's a 19th Century Village where you can see exhibits and roleplayers. See how 19th Century life was with demonstrations and educators. There's also a lot of old historic boats you can go on-board to check out. However, when I was there, the most famous boat, Charles W. Morgan was being restored under a heap of scaffolding and plastic. The seaport also has a planetarium, to fill you in on 19th Century navigation. Oh, and there's a Mystic Pizza, of course. But no Julia Roberts. And most of the movie was filmed in Rhode Island. Darn you, misguiding movie industry!
If you want to venture a couple miles down the street you can visit Old Mistick Village. Lots of stores with lots of shopping, plus a couple snack shops and restaurants. It's a pretty big village, and the stores offer a great variety.

Old Mistick Village Duck Land

And then there is the Mystic Aquarium. Where you do aquarium things. Or get married with a beluga whale officiating. Or if you aren't engaged, you can have cocktails with the whales. Who doesn't want to spend their afternoon with a sloshed whale!

Bronx Zoo

Bronx Zoo:
Ok, technically this one is in New York. In the Bronx, if you hadn't gathered. I've become a bit of a zoo expert, self appointed, and this is a great zoo. It's big, and there's a lot of walking. But it's spacious for the animals and clean. There weren't too many animals hiding out of sight, although the red panda was either hiding or the snow leopard next door ate it. Lots of gift shops, so get ready mom and dad.

Maritime Aquarium

Maritime Aquarium:
Here's a place to do more aquarium things, in SoNo (that's South Norwalk, I'm told SoNo is what the cool people call it). It's a pretty small aquarium, but still a good afternoon filler. They currently have a white crocodile, which I can't accurately describe the creepiness of. They have an awesome touch tank, full of sharks and sting rays. And fish type things. A nursery aquarium shows baby sharks and sting rays.You can view the seals inside or outside, and get up close. There's also an IMAX theater. Also, I'm not sure how long they'll be at Maritime, or why Meerkats are even at an aquarium to begin with, but for now you can spend an hour or two watching the hilarious little things run around in the Africa exhibit. So when you drive up to the aquarium, that explains the giant Meerkat on the roof. You are in fact in the right place. FYI, parking is in the parking garage across the street.

Stew Leonard's:
Yep, you bet I just put a grocery store on my Connecticut to-do list! But this is a special grocery store. For starters, there's a petting zoo in the parking lot. Sheep, cows, ducks. It's also labeled as the World's Largest Dairy, featured in Ripley's Believe it Or Not and the Guinness Book. But that still isn't why this store is the best...at least if you're under 5. While you wander around picking up random food items, you'll find singing milk jugs and butter, egg laying chickens, a six foot cow walking around, and dancing celery. Lots of buttons to push. If you happen to be a button pusher. Don't just 'run in' to Stew Leonard's though. There's no running about it. It's a maze. One way in, one way out. That sounds ominous. As does singing butter.




Well there ya go, I've given you a few things to keep you busy on the eastern part of Connecticut. Especially if you need groceries and like aquariums.

Blub, Blub.

Blub, Blub. That's the noise people make when they're underwater.In case you were wondering. And apparently, more and more people like to go 'blub, blub.'

Sea.Fire.Salt.Sky Restaurant

Although there are already underwater hotels, such as Jules Underwater Lodge in Key Largo (looks a little claustrophobic to me) and a few underwater restaurants like Sea.Fire.Salt.Sky in the Anantara Kihavah Villas in Maldives, there has yet to be an underwater resort. But not for long. There is currently a bit of a business race between Fuji and Dubai to see which location will sport the world's first underwater resort. However, Bruce Jones (president of the company building Fuji's Poseidon Undersea Resort) is confident that his resort will be completed and opened first. 

Poseidon Undersea Resort - Proposed Room

The Poseidon Underwater Resort will be composed of 24 underwater suites as well as suites situated over the water and beachfront suites. A one-week stay will allow you to move (with the assistance of a butler) between the various types of suites -  for just $15,000 a person. Your hard earned cash will get you all the usual resort amenities and plushy things, as well as piloting lessons in a mini-submarine. Don't expect the steep price tag to deter people, the resort already has 120,000 people wanting to be informed when booking can begin.

The Water Discus - Proposed Design

Dubai's resort, The Water Discus, will house its 31 underwater rooms in a giant disc. Separate discs above water will house the spa, swimming pool, helipad, and whatever other extravagance they deem necessary. And don't worry, the entire hotel can be raised above the water in case of an emergency. Or, the entire hotel can be bobbed to some other location. 

So if you want to spend your vacation watching fishies from the comfort of a plush, king size bed (and you haven't seen the movie Deep Blue Sea), then keep an eye on these two resorts. Although various dates seem to be floating around (floating...you get it?), there doesn't seem to be a definitive opening date for either resort. Until then, we'll all just have to sleep on land, the normal, boring way.

To Tour, or Not to Tour?

I'm not a big fan of taking tours. Cramped up on a bus with a bunch of people you don't know while you snap photos of the landmarks you speed by? No thanks. Be on someone else's time table and risk being left in a cloud of dust if you're late getting back to the bus? No thanks. Forgo activities and sights that interest you because they aren't on the itinerary? No thanks. Save a bunch of money and let someone else do the planning and booking for you? No th--wait, what? Uh yeah, that sounds good.

I was given a tour book today with this company's tours for the rest of the year. And there are some good prices in there. The one that looks the most fun to me (and the best cost) is a trip to the Grand Canyon, Death Valley, Vegas, and Zion National Park for just over a grande. That one I can guarantee you would cost me way more on my own. Plus this way someone else gets to do the extensive driving between all these locations.

But at the same time I remember the Great Switzerland Tour of 2009. I would have loved more time in Lucerne. Plus, the entire time I was there I was so wrapped up in getting back to the bus on time, that I'm sure I missed things. And I forgot to get a nutcracker, one of the only things I wanted from Switzerland. And we couldn't eat or drink on the bus (maybe those were crazy Swiss rules). We couldn't even have phones on (that was a crazy Mercedes rule). Or these rules were all made up by the possibly and probably crazy Swiss/German woman who was our tour guide.

The tour in Switzerland is the only one I've taken, and it was just a day tour. So...who out there has toured. Anyone? Anywhere? Is the frustration of being on someone else's schedule worth the money and time savings?

Anyone seen My Life in Ruins? I would undoubtedly end up on a bus full of those people, in a hotel with no elevator where I'm staying on the 32nd floor, and a bus driver who nearly drives us off a cliff.

Free is Best

It costs a lot these days to fly or even drive somewhere. Then you have to pay for a hotel, pay for food, and probably pay for every little thing you go out and do. It can really break the bank. But, it doesn't have to. At least not if you find yourself in one of the ten cities featured in Yahoo Travel's "America's best free attractions" list.

The list includes a few parks from across the country, including the International Rose Test Garden. 4 1/2 acres of roses and other species of flora. That's a lot of rose sniffing to do. The Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago is free, as is the Smithsonian National Zoo in D.C. In fact, there's a lot in D.C. that is free (one of the cheapest vacations I've had in awhile). Yahoo's article mentions the mall, but also check out any of the Smithsonian museums and national monuments without paying a cent.

So it might still cost you your life savings to get to some of these locations, but at least you won't have to dip too deeply into your pockets once you're there!

Here's Yahoo's full list. - Sorry, this list is no longer available.

The Dangers of Traveling...with Me!

 ¹va·ca·tion

noun, often attributive \vā-ˈkā-shən, və-\
: a respite or a time of respite from something 

¹re·spite

noun 
\ˈres-pət also ri-ˈspīt, British usually ˈres-ˌpīt\
: an interval of rest or relief

Those two definitions do not go hand-in-hand in the Kasey Lee book of travel (and there is a book, an ever-growing book!). I've actually had people comment "I don't think I would enjoy vacationing with you." That doesn't hurt my feelings though. I know their wariness isn't because I snore at night, or sit in the hotel room and order pay-per-view, or pack 7 bags of luggage that I expect someone else to haul around. It's because my vacations are not a time for relaxation, napping, and recouping. My vacations are a veritable marathon of fun, new experiences, learning, and sightseeing. So if you just want to spend a week not moving from a beach towel spread beneath a beach umbrella...you do not want to go to the beach with me!

Most places I visit I know I will probably never see again. No matter how much I love a place, there's always something new to see, somewhere else. So when I am on vacation I try to pack in as much as possible. This means no sleeping in, no time to primp; just get up and get out the door. Early mornings in turn mean no late nights at the bars (except for that one time in Nashville!). If I'm going to be up late, it has to be something worthwhile (a late show, an attraction that closes late, etc.). I realize that exhaustion eventually sneaks up, and then it's just plain time for a nap. An hour nap. Then back up and out!

Another facet of my vacations is walking...lots and lots of walking. Touristy areas charge to park, and they often charge a lot. So if I can reach it from my hotel without taking the car, we're walking. If we can park once and then leave the car for the rest of the day, we're walking. Sometimes we might be walking in the wrong direction for 2.5 miles. It has happened. I also have a habit of making a lot of sudden stops when I'm walking, mostly to snap a photo. So you really can't walk behind or in front of me (or we'll crash or you'll lose me). Just be ready for me to stop without any notice.

I also don't care how hot or cold it is. Or if it's raining or snowing. I'm not wasting a day inside...short of a hurricane or ya know, a tornado. I find the mind can overcome all sorts of weather if it's distracted by something interesting. If there are inside things to be done, then that's great...but if not, grab your umbrella. I went to the desert when it was 108 degrees, and rode rides in Disney World when it was below freezing.

Vacations with me can also be a tad expensive. I don't stay in the Ritz, or eat at Ruth's Chris, but I love new experiences, even if I have to pay for them. Parasailing, swimming with dolphins, ziplines, taking a ghost tour, horse back riding, petting a lion, snorkeling, renting a bike - all things I've paid for on vacation. Sometimes it's something planned and paid for ahead of time, sometimes it's spur-of-the-moment, out-of-the-pocket. I almost always find it well worth the cash (or let's be honest...worth the charge on my credit card). 

So if you want to run yourself ragged, sleep less than normal, walk til your feet cramp, and stand in a thunder storm, while having a great time full of new experiences that you'll remember for the rest of your life...then a vacation with me is a great idea. If you want to spend a week not moving, catching up on three month's worth of sleep, and avoiding the crowded tourist spots...then you want to be vacationing with the rest of the crew who doesn't want to leave town with me.

How about you? Do it all, or do nothing on vacation?

Moonbows

Everyone knows that just the right combination of sunlight and water will create a beautiful rainbow. But I'm sure not everyone knows that there is such thing as a moonbow. In Corbin, Kentucky Cumberland Falls sometimes interacts with lunar rays from a full moon in such a way that a colorful bow is formed at the base.

There are only a few places in the world where a moonbow might form; Victoria Falls in Africa, Yosemite Falls in California, Waimea Canyon, Hawaii, and a much lighter one at the New York side of Niagara Falls. The moonbow is still a rare occurrence, where several factors must line up just right. Factors needed for a moonbow? A full moon, cloudless sky, and misty falls. Cold nights in the fall and winter often create good conditions. The internet is full of calendars predicting the best night to observe a moonbow. If you can't make it to these falls on just the right night, you could just scroll down and take a look at a few pictures.

Cumberland Falls -
http://redandthepeanut.blogspot.com/2010/10/ghostly-slivery-white-moonbow-at.html  

Victoria Falls
http://getoutzine.com/cumberlandfallsstateparkky

Yosemite Falls
http://groundhog.smugmug.com/Nature/Yosemite-Moonbows/3702781_7k9qfM/212124678_jYn6m#!i=212124678&k=jYn6m

Not Your Backyard Pool

With temperatures soaring over 100 degrees in many areas of the US this week, it's a good time to talk about pools, look at pictures of pools, or best case scenario, be in a pool. Yahoo! Travel roped up a list of ten of the best new hotel pools from around the world. So read on and try to stay cool!

Perasa Resort - Phuket, Thailand
The small lights in the pool are fiber optics, not reflections.
(Photo: Visa Signature Hotels)

Best Western Kuta Beach - Kuta, Bali
Yes, I had to read it twice too...this is a Best Western.
(Photo: Courtesy Best Western Kuta Beach)

Thompson - Toronto, Canada
A roof-top infinity pool Double whammy.
(Photo: Courtesy of Thompson Hotels)

Westin Playa Bonita - Panama
This fresh water infinity pool looks more like the ocean that lies just beyond.
(Photo: Courtesy Westin Playa Bonita)

 Here's the full list and Yahoo's article http://travel.yahoo.com/ideas/10-spectacular-new-hotel-pools.html