Usually one for embracing change and experiencing new things, knowing that my family at home in the USA was gearing up to celebrate Christmas while I was abroad made me long for the familiarity of home. Watching the days grow shorter and thermostat drop heightened my sense of anticipation for my favorite time of year. […]
customs
The Power of Art
Art is a powerful thing. From the moment that humankind could, we started thinking creatively. Explaining and depicting the world around us. From the earliest cave drawings in South Africa which date back 164 thousand years to the well-known cave paintings in Europe that date 40 thousand years, humans have always been moved to art. […]
Food: How Cultures Eat And What It Means
Eating, scarfing, imbibing, dining, and sating are just a few words we use to describe the act of placing food into our mouths. Conceivably it is the most significant commonality that humanity shares. Whatever shape, form, flavor, or seasoning food may take around the world, people eat. More than that, across the world people, […]
Memorial Day: Honoring Those Who Served
Memorial Day is a federally recognized holiday in the U.S. that honors the valiant men and women who died in service to the United States of America. It is a day on which as a nation, the US stops to recognize those brave men and women who have lost their lives in service to their […]
What is Ramadan
Every year nearly 1.8 billion Muslims around the world partake in a month-long period of fasting during Ramadan. Fasting is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and occurs during the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It is important to note that not all Muslim countries or communities mark the start of Ramadan […]
Moveable Feast: Easter a Celebration of God
This upcoming weekend marks the arrival of Western Easter, followed by the observance of Orthodox Easter or Pascha. For Christians around the world, either of Eastern, Western, or Protestant, faith these observances are for many the most significant and holiest celebrations of the year. Hundreds of millions celebrate with family and dear friends alike. Religious […]