If you're still wondering why it's so important to learn about other people and places, think about this: Wouldn't it be a bit annoying if someone from Europe or wherever described the US as one big country. As if we're all the same? Becasue the way I see it, a person from Texas may as well be on a different planet as someone from Manhatten or a Californian and an Iowan.
This is just to demonstrate that it's important to delve a little deeper into the world and know that THE MIDDLE EAST or ASIA are rather huge places with hundreds of different people, languages and religions. Too bad our current media outlets can't catch up with this notion.
At least you have us. Smile.
(continue reading &aquo;)The holiday season is already here and for most of us that means scurrying around and buying our little ones gifts. Take note, anytime we have the opportunity to give to a child, there is also an opportunity to teach. This year, opt for something that is a gift that keeps on giving...our award-wining board game can be played throughout the year and takes your kids on a trip of a lifetime. See for yourself. www.aroundtheworldgames.com.
(continue reading &aquo;) Worldwide money may be on the horizon as a way of simplifying the planet's 190 currencies -- the Esperanto of money.
Can you name the top three currencies used in the world today? The dollar, euro and the yen. Money is as complicated and as simple as you make it. If we teach kids about money and its relation to the world at a young age, the more power to them. Do me a favor and ask your family the question posed here and see if they come up with the world's top currency - because the dollar, the euro and the yen aren't going anywhere soon.
(continue reading &aquo;)Happy Halloween from Around the World!
If you have any interesting costumes, please send a picture for a free Around the World boardgame!!!
Have a Spooky day!
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This was such a popular post last time around that I thought I'd share again. Here are a few fun and interesting (I think) customs that people from across the globe do for the Autumn season.
In Korea, the harvest festival is called Chusok. Families take this time to thank their ancestors for the fruits of their labor. Native Americans say the moon shines the brightest during this time of the year. Thus, they call the month of September the Harvest Moon. In Canada, the Harvest Moon is celebrated on the second Monday in October. It is the Canadian Thanksgiving Day.
In the United States, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the 4th Thursday of November. Families get together for a big feast with turkey and grandma's apple pie. But in the Far East, Thanksgiving comes a bit earlier. In China and Vietnam, the family feast includes mooncakes and round fruits -- symbols of togetherness.
In Israel, the harvest festival is called Succoth. The celebration lasts for seven days. Jewish families build outdoor booths during the Succoth celebration.
In India, the harvest celebration is called Pongal or the Rice Harvest Festival. Families take this time to thank all those who have contributed to a successful harvest -- including the gods, the sun and the cattle.
In Ghana and Nigeria, the harvest festival is also named after a food. It is the Yam Festival. The celebration starts in the beginning of August at the end of the rainy season.
In the United States, the Kwanzaa celebration is based on African harvest traditions. Kwanzaa means first fruits in Swahili. The celebration starts on December 26 and lasts for 7 days.
While the harvest is celebrated differently in different parts of the world, there are many common themes. The spirit of thanksgiving, the love of family, the value of hard work and the appreciation of the land and celestial powers are found in all cultures. (www.familycuture.com)
(continue reading &aquo;)Well, Around the World has decided to make it really cool. We will be comitted to our tweeters and provide cool trivia, foreign words to brush up on your Spanish and a whole lot more.
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No matter where I go, art is the most influential, transparent and intimate way to gather your emotions, ideas, thoughts and feelings for a culture. Take a look at the following peices of Caribbean art and let us know what you think.
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