Greeting Customs In India

washing the feet

Our planet earth is divided into many different countries which have many different races of people, different customs, and different manners. Each country has its own way of greeting people when they go to another’s house.
I am an Indian and I come from New Delhi, the capital of my country, India. India consists of many different kinds of people. There are lots of different religions so there will be lots of different cultures and customs. Unfortunately I don’t know the custom of every state. But I can tell you one thing about all Indian people. Having a guest come to our home is a very big thing for us. In fact some say that guests are like God for them.
When guests come to visit, they get a lot of respect and caring from everyone in the family. The first thing we do when the guest is in the home is call every house member to meet the person. Then someone younger in the family has to wash the feet and hands of the guests in a big bowl of water and then dry them. Then we serve food at the table. We make the person sit down first at the dining table. Nobody can start eating food until the guest takes a bite of his share. After he is done eating, his plate will be taken away and he’ll be given one bowl and a mug of water at the table to wash his hands. This custom is not only practiced in India. We practice this customs in the U.S, too. If you come to my house, I will wash your feet too.
China is a beautiful country and has an interesting culture and manners. According to senior Caizhen Li, if any guests go to their house they want the person to feel that her family has a good relationship with them. “ The first thing we do for the guest at home is give them something to drink or anything they want, “ Caizhen said. All the younger people in the family have to greet them and show respect to them.
For Egyptians, guests are just like a blessing in their house and they treat them very respectfully, according to sophomore Ahmed Heiba. “In Egypt if people go to someone else’s house, they do not enter inside the house until the house keeper comes to the door and tells them to come in," said Ahmed. Guests of any age do not differ in how they are treated. “No matter who comes, young or old a guest is guest,” Ahmed added.
Senior Ashley Jurinka said that in American houses having a guest is “kind of a big thing.” She said they respect every guest who visits them. “The first thing we do when a guest is inside the house is introduce ourselves, and then we ask them if they need anything,” she said. She also said that the age of the guest matters. They treat young guests differently from older guests. They usually like to clean the house before anyone comes. “If the house is not up-to-date and someone is already home, then we feel embarrassed in front of the guest,” she said. If the guest is going to stay they also help by carrying the luggage in to their room.

The History Of Mid-Autumn Festival

The Mid-autumn Festival dates back over 3,000 years, to moon worshipping in the Shang Dynasty. Ancient Chinese emperors worshiped the moon in the autumn, as they believed that the practice would bring them another harvest year. The word “mid-autumn” first appeared in the Zhou Dynasty. During that time, worshipping the moon on the 15th night of the eighth month had spread to high officials and rich families. The practice entailed placing a large table in the middle of the yard under the moon, and they put offerings such as fruits and snacks on the table. However, not until the early Tang Dynasty was the day officially celebrated as a traditional festival. It then became an established festival during the Song Dynasty, and has become as popular as the Spring Festival since the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

Appreciating the moon has been a custom since the Tang Dynasty (618–907). Not only the rich merchants and officials, but also the common citizens, liked appreciating the moon together at that time. The rich merchants and officials held big parties in their big courts. They drank and appreciated the bright moon. Music and dances were also indispensable. The common citizens just prayed to the moon for a good harvest.

The tradition of eating mooncakes during the festival bgan in Yuan Dynasty. At the end of Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368, a dynasty ruled by the Mongols), the Han people’s army wanted to overthrow the rule of the Mongols, so they planed an uprising, but they had no way to inform every Han who wanted to join them of the time of the uprising without being discovered by the Mongols. One day, the military counselor of the Han people’s army, Liu Bowen, thought out a stratagem related to mooncakes. Liu Bowen asked his soldiers to spread the rumor that there would be a serious disease in winter and eating mooncakes was the only way to cure the disease, then he asked soldiers to write "uprising, at the night of Mid-Autumn Festival" on papers and put them into mooncakes then sell them to common Han people. When the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival came a huge uprising broke out. From then on, people eat mooncakes every Mid-Autumn Festival to commemorate the uprising.

Spring Festival in China

The Spring Festival is the most important festival for the Chinese people and is when all family members get together, just like Christmas in the West. All people living away from home go back, becoming the busiest time for transportation systems of about half a month from the Spring Festival. Airports, railway stations and long-distance bus stations are crowded with home returnees.
The Spring Festival falls on the 1st day of the 1st lunar month, often one month later than the Gregorian calendar. It originated in the Shang Dynasty (c. 1600 BC-c. 1100 BC) from the people's sacrifice to gods and ancestors at the end of an old year and the beginning of a new one.
Strictly speaking, the Spring Festival starts every year in the early days of the 12th lunar month and will last till the mid 1st lunar month of the next year. Of them, the most important days are Spring Festival Eve and the first three days. The Chinese government now stipulates people have seven days off for the Chinese Lunar New Year.
Many customs accompany the Spring Festival. Some are still followed today, but others have weakened.
On the 8th day of the 12th lunar month, many families make laba porridge, a delicious kind of porridge made with glutinous rice, millet, seeds of Job's tears, jujube berries, lotus seeds, beans, longan and gingko.
The 23rd day of the 12th lunar month is called Preliminary Eve. At this time, people offer sacrifice to the kitchen god. Now however, most families make delicious food to enjoy themselves.
After the Preliminary Eve, people begin preparing for the coming New Year. This is called "Seeing the New Year in".

Store owners are busy then as everybody goes out to purchase necessities for the New Year. Materials not only include edible oil, rice, flour, chicken, duck, fish and meat, but also fruit, candies and kinds of nuts. What's more, various decorations, new clothes and shoes for the children as well as gifts for the elderly, friends and relatives, are all on the list of purchasing.
Before the New Year comes, the people completely clean the indoors and outdoors of their homes as well as their clothes, bedclothes and all their utensils.
Then people begin decorating their clean rooms featuring an atmosphere of rejoicing and festivity. All the door panels will be pasted with Spring Festival couplets, highlighting Chinese calligraphy with black characters on red paper. The content varies from house owners' wishes for a bright future to good luck for the New Year. Also, pictures of the god of doors and wealth will be posted on front doors to ward off evil spirits and welcome peace and abundance.

Customs Duty from the U.S. Customs Service

The U.S. Customs Service provides these 10 good tips for on its Web site for cruise passengers and others who are entering the United States. Don't rely on friends and shopkeepers for advice on what items "will clear Customs". Instead, obtain this information directly from the U.S. Customs Service.
Declare "duty free items", even if purchased in "duty-free" stores.
Do not attempt to bring unauthorized fruits, meats, and dairy products into the United States without first checking whether they are permitted.
Know the difference between goods for personal use vs. commercial use.
Know the difference between prohibited merchandise (such as ivory, tortoise shell products, absinthe, and counterfeit items) and restricted merchandise.
Be aware that many foreign manufactured items are not FDA-approved and, consequently, cannot be brought into the U.S. Also, when traveling abroad, bring only the amount of medication you'll need during the trip.
Do not attempt to return with Cuban cigars, unless they were purchased in Cuba while on authorized travel.
Know the rules governing the $800 exemption on goods brought back from abroad.
By law, Customs officers have the authority to conduct enforcement examinations without a warrant, ranging from a single luggage examination up to and possibly including a personal search.
Be sure and read U.S. Customs Know Before You Go brochure. You may request a print copy of the brochure by writing to USCS, P.O. Box 7407, Washington, D.C. 20044.

New Year Customs Celebration around the World

Do you make new year resolutions and keep fireworks and noisemakers handy for use to welcome the new year with élan? These acts that sound so natural to occur during any new year celebrations are actually popular new year customs practiced around the world to express jubilation and excitement. Not to mention, there are some very old country-specific customs of new year celebrations as well, which to this day are followed with full enthusiasm.India is a land of customs and cultures. There are a wide variety of customs that the people in India follow. Although the customs keep changing yet people enjoy following them as they bring joy and happiness. The people in India regard the New Year as a time to think of the future in hope and anticipation. The New Year is a time of festivities and a perfect time to think something new and forget the past. Dancing,partying, feasting and enjoying throughout the night of the New Year are essential New Year customs that the people in India follow on New Year.
The various states in India celebrate New Year on different dates. Although the customs in the states differ but the spirit of the people in celebrating the New Year remains the same throughout. Some states in India especially the Hindu celebrate diwali which is the festival of lights as the New Year.
The people in India on this day worship goddess lakshmi. She is believed to bring wealth and good fortune on New Year. Lighting lamps and worshipping her are important New Year customs that the people in India follow.
The people in Punjab regard baisakhi as their New Year. There is a fair held and as custom has it dances and shows are organized to celebrate the New Year. The people in Gujarat consider lights to be a symbol for the New Year.
Food, flowers, and gifts are kept on a special tray in Kerala that is situated in Southern India. The children on New Year's Day keep their eyes closed until they are led to the tray. Making New Year resolutions are important New Year customs that the people in India regard as essential and close to their heart.
New Year Customs in US
Of all the new year customs observed in the United States, possibly the most famous that's watched the world over with abated breath, is the dropping of the lighted New Year ball in Times Square (New York City) at dot 11:59 PM. As it happens, mass hysterical cheers and rain of confetti mark the start of new year.
Having Hoppin' John with black-eyed peas and ham hocks to go with it, is another time-honored new year custom that stays young to this day. It is believed that eating peas on new year day will bless the family with prosperity and good luck for the rest of the year.
New Year Customs in UK
The most popular of all new year customs in UK is called "First footing", where neighbors pay visit to each other to wish New Year, shortly after midnight. It is considered very lucky if the first visitor to the house happens to be a tall, dark and handsome male carrying along with a piece of coal, a loaf and a bottle of Whisky for gift. The custom also holds that the visitor should not either speak nor should be spoken to until he has gifted the coal to the fireplace, loaf on the table and glass of drink to the head of the family. The visitor should then break the silence first by wishing "Happy New Year" to all the members of the family and ideally leave the house through the back door. It is believed that such a first footing brings good luck and prosperity in the house.
Chinese New Year customs - The Chinese New Year "Yuan Tan" is celebrated for 15 days. It is based on the Lunar Calendar and the New Year falls between January 21 and February 20. The new moon is the bas for calculating the new beginning.
It is a Chinese New year custom to enjoy feasting during the celebrations. With the change of time the customs have also altered. In the cities, spectacular processions take place which includes giant dragons and hand made lanterns. It is custom to exchange red envelopes with coins in it. It brings fortune and good luck to the family. The members of the family pay homage to all the ancestors.
Korean New Year customs - The Korean New Year is celebrated in January and is based on lunar calendar. It is known as ‘Sol nal' and is time for family gatherings. On the New Year eve the Korean people place straw scoopers, sieves on their door and walls of the home to protect them from evil spirits.
It is a Korean custom to wear new clothes and start the day fresh with all the rituals. The younger family members bow to the elder ones and gathers in the home of the eldest male member of the family. Wishes and greetings are exchanged and prayers are held for good health and prosperity. One of the Korean New Year customs is to calculate the age of every person with the New Year day. This means that everyone becomes one year older on this day.
Persian New Year customs - The Persian New Year is also, known as ‘Noruz' which falls during the spring. The Persian family members gather to offer prayers. They sit around haft sin table and pray for happiness throughout the year. When the clock struck 12 o'clock all the members kiss each other and enjoy the special feast arranged.
The customary meals include special rice made with herbs which is called "sabzi polo", fish cuisines, "kuku sabzi" which is a quiche made with herbs. During the New Year people visit each other and younger ones receive ‘Eidi' from the elders. This is a gift sum given by elders as the New Year gifts.
German New Year customs - In Germany most of the customs have changed but, many of the traditional families still celebrate the New Year with all the rituals. The German people drop molten lead into cold water and predict the future from the shapes created in the water. Like – heart shape means love, a ship denotes journey, ring shape means wedding and pig means plenty of food in the coming year.
People leave some food on their platter on the New Year eve as a tradition. It is believed that this would ensure stockpile for the rest of the year. Carp is also part of the custom as, it symbolizes wealth and fortune.

The Latitude Festival

In partnership with Sony UK Limited, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts will open this year’s festival with a screening of Hitchcock’s silent film The Lodger accompanied by a live orchestra. Activity continues over the weekend with exclusive Q&As with acclaimed filmmakers Richard Curtis (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill, Love Actually), Shane Meadows and Mark Herbert (This is England, Dead Man’s Shoes). All films will be shown using Sony’s top-ofthe-range technology.
On Thursday evening, BAFTA and Sony will screen Alfred Hitchcock’s first silent black and white thriller The Lodger (1929) at sundown on the Lake Stage. A live orchestra, conducted by Robert Ziegler, will provide spine-tingling accompaniment to the film using a score by critically acclaimed composer, Joby Talbot (The Divine Comedy). Film critic, Mark Kermode will host the evening.
BAFTA and Sony then move inside to the Music and Film Tent. On Saturday night BAFTAwinning Richard Curtis will discuss film and its effect on politics with journalist Tracey Macleod.
The Q&A will be followed by a screening of Curtis’ film The Girl in the Café. This film follows the journey of Lawrence (Bill Nighy) - a lonely bureaucrat working for the Chancellor of the Exchequer - after he meets Gina (Kelly Macdonald) in a café. After a couple of dates, he invites her on a weekend trip to Reykjavik, where he'll be working at the G8 conference. The film is a passionate plea to humankind - wrapped in a love story, a comedy and a unique drama.
On Sunday night, BAFTA and Sony are joined by award-winning writer and director Shane
Meadows and producer Mark Herbert, the creative duo behind the critically acclaimed This is England. The fifth feature film from Meadows (Dead Man’s Shoes, Twentyfourseven), This is England tells the story of Shaun (Thomas Turgoose), an 11 year old kid growing up in the north of England. Set during the summer holidays of 1983, it follows his rites of passage from a shaggy-haired ruffian grieving the loss of his father into a shaven-headed thug whose anger and pain is embraced by the local skinhead fraternity. Radio 1 film critic James King will be hosting the interview.
Amanda Berry, Chief Executive of BAFTA said: “We are delighted to have such a strong presence at Latitude Festival this year. Sony, with their reputation for visual excellence, is the perfect partner for us, and with them we hope to bring an incredible series of events to the Latitude festival goers.”
Sony UK Limited is delighted to partner with BAFTA as a sponsor of the Latitude Festival 2007. Through its sponsorship, Sony is celebrating imagination and innovation, which are values inherent to the Sony brand as well as the ideals of both Latitude and BAFTA.
“We are excited about partnering with BAFTA to present the film programme at this year’s
Latitude Festival. Both Sony and BAFTA have a rich heritage in supporting excellence and
innovation in the film industry, and Latitude gives us an ideal platform to continue this,” says Mikah Martin-Cruz, General Manager of Central Marketing, Sony UK Limited.
Notes to Editors
About BAFTA
The Academy exists to support, develop and promote the art forms of the moving image, by
identifying and rewarding excellence, inspiring practitioners and benefiting the viewing public.
About Sony
Sony delivers excellence throughout the film journey - from movie production studios in Los Angeles to the best in home entertainment systems through its high definition BRAVIA LCD televisions, BRAVIA theatre audio and Blu-ray players.
Sony’s Blu-ray Discs offer superior 1080p High Definition video and audio. With 5 x the capacity of a DVD you can experience outstanding picture quality, breathtaking sound quality and leading edge interactive features. Blu-ray Disc is taking Hollywood by storm, with seven out of eight major studios supporting the format. Sony’s first European Blu-ray Disc player, the BDP-S1E, is launching in summer 2007.

Italian Marriage Customs

There exists just one thing so romantic about Italy. It truly is the wine, the meals, the ambience, and above all, the warmth and passion in the Italians. Possessing a location wedding in Italy could be genuinely amazing. But even though you can't transport your wedding towards the Tuscan countryside, it is possible to bring a number of the exuberant spirit of an Italian wedding dwelling.
Weddings are a very massive deal in Italy. They may be about greater than just the marriage of one man and one particular girl; weddings are also the union of two families and all of their friends. That is a cause for wonderful celebration! Italian weddings typically start out with a Nuptial Mass in the morning, followed by feasting, drinking, and dancing which can last effectively in to the following day. (Tip: should you be having a full Catholic Nuptial Mass, it must be indicated in your invitations.)
Speaking of feasting, food is of paramount significance for any Italian exceptional occasion. Food has powerful associations with household and togetherness in Italy, so certainly at a wedding reception, every person will want to mange. The wedding dinner often consists of as much as fourteen courses, followed by cake with espresso and coffee (to aid in dancing right up until dawn, no doubt). No matter if your wedding is within the United states of america or in Italy, treat your guests to a appropriate Italian wedding feast. In case your wedding is in America, a amazing strategy to honor your Italian ancestry will be to serve the dishes that happen to be the specialty of the area from which your family hails. Skip generic Italian-American dishes in favor of real genuine Italian cuisine.
Italian wedding customs date back to ancient Roman ceremonies, which tends to make them a number of the oldest on earth. It was the Roman goddess Juno, who's the guardian of marriage, property, and childbirth, who deemed June to become one of the most common month of your year for weddings, which, to this day nevertheless holds true. Whenever you start booking vendors to get a June ceremony, you may discover that it's a busy time for weddings.
Classic Roman brides had been needed to put on veils for the reason that they were believed to shield them from evil spirits. They had been also necessary to carry bouquets of herbs, which symbolized fertility and fidelity. IT was customary for guests to toss rice in the couple as they created their way down the aisle following saying their vows, as a wish of fertility. Do any of those traditions sound familiar?
It was, and nevertheless is really a common customized for Italian weddings to involve fede which implies faith as an Italian wedding blessing. In the course of the fede, the priest elaborates on the couple's vows and what they suggest.
Also incorporated in a conventional Italian wedding ceremony is often a nuptial blessing, wherein the priest blesses the bride and groom and wishes them a life full of worship and serving God. Immediately following the nuptial blessing, the couple partakes in communion also as a last prayer. At this point they may be pronounced husband and wife.
Since most standard Italian weddings were Roman Catholic, and really lengthy, they would commence in the morning and end late in the evening following a complete course dinner and dancing.
It's also an Italian wedding tradition for that bride and groom to give their guests mesh bags complete of chocolate covered almonds. These candies represent the bitterness and sweetness of life, together with the almond symbolizing the bitterness, as well as the chocolate symbolizing the sweetness. These goodies are provided out at weddings across the world to this day.
Some Italian couples would opt for to have an Italian blessing ceremony. This sort of service even now will take spot to this day, and normally within a vineyard, garden, or courtyard. The Italian blessing ceremony is often a celebration with the couple's union, but just isn't a legal marriage.

Newest Trend in Custom Kitchens and Bathrooms

Kitchens and bathrooms are the most frequently visited rooms in a home. How they look can give a positive impression of the home. Styles have changed dramatically. There also some wonderful new products available that just did not exist a few years ago. Small little cramped kitchens just don't cut it anymore. Big open styles or slim sleek efficient kitchens are what people want. Well designed kitchens and bathrooms are what people are looking for. Custom kitchens and bathrooms are not just made they are created.
A custom kitchen New York contractor is going to be up on the latest styles and upcoming trends. They have to. People in New York don't just want the best they want it to be unique as well. Custom kitchen New York contractor needs to be on the cutting edge of modern technology. Kitchens are not just for cooking food anymore. They need to be able to fit into our modern lifestyles. Not only that, a Custom kitchen New York contractor will build a room that reflects you. Custom kitchens can be a statement, not just a place to cook. There are new types of stoves, ovens and even fridges that are visually appealing but are also more efficient. Custom kitchens look great, work better and save energy. Tile work, flooring and even counter tops have undergone some technical changes. There are new products that last longer, are easier to maintain and can resist water damage and mold growth. They have the look and feel you want but are just better products then what you may have had.
Custom bathroom Manhattan contactors try to combine functionality with luxury. People spend a lot of time in the bathroom. It might as well be a place of beauty and function. Most Custom bathroom Manhattan contactors are constantly learning about the newest high quality bathroom features available. It is not about replacing a bathtub but installing a raindrop shower or deep Jacuzzi bathtub. Custom bathroom Manhattan contactors work at combining visual style with modern luxuries. This can be seen in outstanding heated floors. The material is water and mold resistant but looks absolutely stunning. Or unique toilets that look great and are designed with water conservation in mind. A modern bathroom is not just about how it looks, but how well it works in water conservation and reducing mold.

UK Duty Free Allowances and Visa Requirements

However you arrive in the UK, by plane, Eurostar, ferry, or coach, you have to abide by the UK Customs and Visa regulations. Like other countries in the EU (European Union), the UK has a two-tier customs system: one for goods bought duty free and one for goods bought in another EU country where taxes and duties have already been paid.1 December 2008 brought the first change to the Duty Free Allowances in 15 years. The changes have been brought in by the EU to cover all member states with the intention to make duty free laws more in line with the needs of the traveling public.
Duty-free sales to those traveling from one EU country to another were abolished in July 1999. For goods purchased at airports or on ferries outside the EU, you are allowed to import:
tobacco products: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco. From 1 December 2008, while allowances remain the same, you can make up your duty free allowance from a mixture of tobacco products.
Alcohol: 4 litres of still wine plus 1 litres of spirits over 22% or another 2 litres of wine (sparkling or otherwise). From 1 December, you can now make up your alcohol allowance from a mix and match of alcohol products.
perfume and eu de toilette - no restrictions from 1 December 2008
new allowance of 16 litres of beer
and other duty-free goods such as electrical products and souvenirs to the value of £300 (was £145 before)
Tax and Duty Paid
Although you can no longer bring in duty free goods from another EU country, you can bring in duty-paid goods that cost less than you would pay for the same items in your destination country. The items are supposed to be for individual consumption but a thriving business has developed, with many Londoners making day trips to France to load up their cars with cheap alcohol and cigarettes.
If you purchase from a normal retail outlet on the continent, customs uses the following maximum quantities as a guide to distinguish personal imports from those on a commercial scale:
800 cigarettes
200 cigars
1kg of tobacco
10L of spirits
20L of fortified wine
90L of wine (of which not more than 60L is sparkling)
110L of beer
Banned Goods
This is a list of goods banned for importing into the country:
unlicensed drugs (e.g. heroin, morphine, cocaine, cannabis, etc)
offensive weapons (e.g. flick knives, knuckledusters, swords, etc)
indecent and obscene material featuring children (e.g. books, magazines, films, etc)
pornographic material - other than that which depicts consensual sexual activity between adults, that can legally be purchased in the UK
counterfeit and pirated goods and goods that infringe patents (e.g. watches, CDs, etc)
meat, milk and other animal products.
Some goods are 'restricted'. Check out the HM Customs & Excise website for up to date information.
Visas
At present, citizens of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and the USA are given, at their point of arrival, 'leave to enter' the UK for up to six months but are prohibited from working unless they secure a work permit.
If you are a citizen of the EU, you do not need a visa to enter the country and may live and work here freely for as long as you like.
Visa regulations are always subject to change, so it is essential to check the latest details before leaving home. Have a look at UK Visas.

The Effect Of Custom Made Subliminal Messages

Messages can be cherry-picked from a wide range. The messages are powerful because they interact at the subconscious level. First, determine your needs and goals. Individuals are unique and we have unique challenges and problems. You can change your thoughts for the better. Poisonous beliefs that have been haunting you for many years can be removed. Erratic behaviours that cause you to be negative can be changed. You can be successful in every goal you undertake when you use subliminal messages.
Basically, subliminal messages are delivered step by step. First, you have what is called a 'programming track'. As the name suggests, the track is a sound or music track that programs positive thoughts in your subconscious through meditation. A person needs to relax during this process. The programming soundtracks are delivered in four phases. The soundtracks contain both high and normal frequencies.
It's impossible for the conscious mind to read raw subliminal messages. However, studies have shown that a person can detect subliminal messages via the eardrum, but they must be interpreted into a language that is understood by the brain. Thus, they can reach the subconscious directly.
Basically, subliminal messages are goals and desires that are re-interpreted as high frequency or normal frequencies sound.
The second step involved in creating subliminal messages involves the use of special tracks known as the 'activator track'. The activator track as the name implies, is used to activate the programming track. You should not be engaged in any work during this period.

Messages in the form of statements and goals are contained in the activator track. Once again, the messages must be re-interpreted as frequencies that are capable of penetrating the subconscious. The tracks contain preliminary music that changes into meditative music once the programming starts.

Tips For UK Customs

What you can - or cannot - bring into the UK, especially from non-EU countries, has always been a bit of a guessing game. The duty free allowances are widely publicized. But what about food products, agricultural produce, plant materials? Judging from the number of UK customs questions I get from readers - especially as holidays approach and people want to bring gifts to friends and family - there's still a lot of confusion about it.
That should all change now that the UK government has published quite a lot of information and clarification online.
Don't Bring Me Back
Don't Bring Me Back is an online overview of the whys and wherefores of UK customs regulations. It has a handy search widget. Enter the country from which you are coming into the UK - as an overseas visitor or a holiday-maker coming home - and it produces a short list of three things you can bring and three you cannot. The website also explains the reasons behind the regulations and the penalties for ignoring them.
Personal Import Rules Database
Even more useful, the Personal Import Rules database provides detailed information, by country, on hundreds of food products you might bring into the UK in your luggage, or send there by ordering online.
The database also has information on weight limits. So, for example, if you bring honey in from most places it will be part of a 2 kilos (about four lbs) per person total allowance in combination with live bivalves, eggs and egg products, skinned frogs legs, reptile, insect and snail meat (yum). So if you can bear to leave the clams, boiled rattlesnake and chocolate covered ants behind, you could, in theory, bring in 2k of honey.
And you can bring a 20k (that's about 40 lbs) combination of fish and fishery products (from most places) that can include live lobsters. How you are supposed to keep 40lbs of live Maine lobster alive on a transatlantic flight is a good question - but I'm sure someone has the answer.
Don't Even Think About it
Milk products from outside the EU are banned - so no powdered milk drinks from Australia or that nice hunk of Wisconsin Cheddar you were planning to brink Great Aunt Felicity. And potatoes or potato products from anywhere (including the EU), even canned, bottled or otherwise packaged, are strictly verboten.
To find out what you can or cannot bring, simply enter the country from which you (or the goods)are entering the UK into the search box; use the search categories to refine the food category and actual product, click the button and the information - including weight limits - pops on screen.
These are personal allowances for your own use. Officials are allowed to use their discretion about "reasonable" quantities (for personal use) of products that are not weight restricted from both EU and non-EU countries - bagels from New York, chocolates from Paris. Large amounts that could be for commercial use could be subject to health checks and other commercial regulations.

Your Life follows Your Thoughts

Your thoughts control the direction that your life flows. Just as a magnet attracts metal, so your thoughts attract positive or negative energy which affects your feelings and actions guiding your life.

　　When you think negative, self-defeating thoughts, thoughts of lack, thoughts that have no hope, you are programming your mind for failure. Negative thoughts create a negative atmosphere, a web of negativity, that permeates your feelings and your actions which manifests negativity all around you.
　　Negative attracts negative and you find yourself having a bad day, the computers too slow, and your car doesn't want to work, you generally have bad luck. You need to break free from negativity by thinking positive, hope-filled thoughts focus instead on success and victory. Thinking positive thoughts will attract positive energy.
　　Positive attracts positive Think positive thoughts. Focus on your blessings with thoughts of gratitude. Don't give any negative energy from worries. Think about things that make you happy and you will attract more of the same. Positive energy generate waves of good energy, or good “vibes.” You pave the way for things to roll more smoothly in your life.
　　Positive and negative thoughts are more than just thinking. They are forms of energy that you pour out. That's why it is so important to keep your thoughts as positive as possible at all times which will guide
　　you in the right direction.

How to Conduct an Internal I-9 Employment Form Audit in 4 Steps

　　Conducting your own self-audit can be a straight-forward process. Here are four steps you can follow:
　　Designate a person to conduct the audit. For example, this might be someone internal, such as an HR representative or in-house counsel. It could also be external counsel. Alternatively, it could be a contractor hired just for the audit. Even if you use someone external, be sure to assist – not only in making corrections, but also use this opportunity to understand the types of training you might need and other things you can do to the correct the situation.
　　Generate lists of employees. First, generate a list of all active employees. This will be the initial scope of the audit. This is one of the first documents that ICE will request if they do an audit. Next, generate a list of all employees terminated within the last three years. This will be the secondary scope, as these need to be kept on file (see fourth step). These are still within your liability, so they are important. (Tip: don’t forget to include the employee start date in your spreadsheet.)
　　Use an audit checklist to determine the status of all forms and supporting documentation. More information on what should be included in an I-9 audit checklist can be found in a related article.
　　Finally, you should also be sure to purge I-9 forms according to retention rules. Get rid of them when you are legally able to limit your liability beyond that date. They must be kept either 1 year after date of termination or 3 years after the date of hire, whichever is longer.

About China Customs

China Customs is a government agency that supervises and manages all arrivals in and departures from the Customs territory of the mainland of the People's Republic of China. It exercises a centralized management structure. Its essential tasks are entry and exit control, revenue collection, fighting smuggling and foreign trade statistics compilation. It also shoulders such major responsibilities as duty collection, Customs control, supervision and management of bond operations，foreign trade statistics compilation, audit-based control, Customs intellectual property rights protection, anti- smuggling, and port management.

　　Overview of China Customs
　　Customs Revenue Collection
　　Cracking Down on Smuggling
　　Customs Control
　　Customs Statistics
　　International Cooperation

The U.S. Customs Service

　　The major responsibility of the U.S. Customs Service is to administer the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended. The Customs Service is one of the nation's major border enforcement agencies, so it also has responsibility for enforcing some 400 laws and regulations on international traffic and trade for 40 other government agencies.

     The Customs Service's mission includes: protecting the nation's revenue by assessing and collecting duties, taxes and fees incident to international traffic and trade; controlling, regulating, and facilitating the movement of carriers, people, and commodities between the United States and other nations; protecting the American consumer and the environment against the introduction of hazardous or noxious products into the United States; protecting domestic industry and labor against unfair foreign competition; and detecting, interdicting, and investigating smuggling and other illegal practices aimed at illegally entering narcotics, drugs, contraband or other prohibited articles into the United States.
   Customs is also responsible for detecting, interdicting, and investigating fraudulent activities intended to avoid the payment of duties, taxes and fees, or activities meant to evade the legal requirements of international traffic and trade; and for detecting, interdicting, and investigating illegal international trafficking in arms, munitions, currency, and acts of terrorism at U.S. ports of entry.

Culture and Traditions of Asian People

If one looks at the map of the world, it is hard not to notice that Asia is the biggest land mass. Asia is important to the rest of the world. The importance of this part of world is not only because it is the biggest continent of the world, but also because it is the portion if the world which is home to the majority of humanity. All densely populated countries are located in Asia. Asia spans hundreds of longitude and as a result you find a variety of culture and traditions in Asia. Asian people are generally closely bound to their traditions and for them it is always difficult to break away. The continent as a whole is rich in traditions and values.
Asian people are descendants of a variety of races. You find one kind of people dominating one region in Asia. For example, the Indian subcontinent is home to the Aryans. The East of India is mostly home to the yellow races which include the Mongols. These people have very typical features and can be identified very easily. The West of India is mostly populated with Iranian and Arab features. More towards the West you find western mix in the mosaic of population that lives in Asia. Asian people are different from the people of the other continents as these people are still close to their roots and in most of the countries you find agro based economies. The economies are not very well developed and you find tat the pressure on land is great. Still, being blessed with the most fertile plains of the world, Asia is feeding the rest of the world as a granary.
In Asia, you still find that generations after generations of people are bound with the traditional values. The West of Asia is mostly dominated by the Muslim values as a chain of Muslim countries is located in this part of the world. In general here Islamic values are followed and family unit is appreciated. Families are the basic structural unit in making up the societies here. Even in the technically advanced and developed countries like Japan, you still find that family ties are important to them. People from more developed parts of the world sometimes consider Asian people to be backward and superstitious, but I believe the Asians are happy and at home with their family units still intact.
Asian traditions are most of the times really colorful and in some cases difficult to understand for people coming from highly developed countries. The impact of religions on the traditions and values of the people of Asia is prominent. Most of the people living in Asia find religion and language to be really important to them. The dress codes are specific and the festivals are also under the religious influence. In general, you can say that Asian life is different from the life in other parts of the world. It is still about home and family. People here are still bound to their roots, and most of all, they are happy about it.

The Songkran Festival

This Weird Festival or holidays started with massive water fight where people throw water at each other including shoot at strangers with water guns. Whereas in Spain and Italy, people made messed with each other by throwing/toss tomatoes or oranges, in Thailand, this festival are called "Songkran" which is the Thai New Year celebrations. This act of throwing water to people or strangers or companion can be considered a kindly act or good gestures during Songkran. It is a sign of respect dating back to tradtional New Year celebrations. Bear in mine also, in Thailand in the month of August temperatures can reach well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit and it kinda refreshing to be splash with water since it will be very hot at that time. Phew!

Ivrea Carnaval

To rival La Tomatina, Italy has a food throwing event of its own. The town of Ivrea battles things out with oranges, replicating a battle held in 1194 that begin with a brave maiden slicing off the head of the town's count. The count made it his duty to sleep with every new bride but the weird holiday gives more of a nod to the heroin than the villain. Violetta, the married, revolted against the count's right of the first night and decapitated him with a sword to save her pride and fidelity. She then waved the count's head about and set fire to his castle. The result of Violetta's actions was a revolt of stone throwing townspeople against the count's troops. The oranges used in the modern day re-enactment of the battle are the excess of Italy's production quota. The good townspeople of Ivrea help the European Economic Community maintain orange prices by destroying the excess.

How Do Thai People Celebrate New Year

　　　Thai people love to celebrate and even though 95% of Thais are Buddhist they generally still celebrate Christmas and New Year and follow the same traditions as many Westerners. In Thailand at Christmas you will still find Christmas trees, decorations and Christmas songs.
　　Even though the Thais still celebrate the traditional Christmas and new year the official Thai new year is called Songkran. The festival of Songkran is celebrated from the 13th to the 15th of April. Other countries which observe this traditional holiday are; Laos, Cambodia, certain parts of China and Punjabi new years fall on the same day in the calendar. Songkran means astrological passing ans settles on the beginning of the sun making its passage northwards. In Thailand Songkran falls on the hottest days of the years in Thailand at the end of the dry season.
　　The festival of Songkran was not always celebrated in all areas of Thailand but now it is celebrated by the majority of Thais, even in the far south. The most famous celebrations are to be found in the northern city of Chiang Mai where the festivities carry in for six days at the minimum. Due to the huge celebrations which take place there Chiang Mai has become a major tourist hot spot at that particular time of year.
　　As with any national holiday certain traditions are observed during Songkran, customarily Songkran was about traveling to re-unite and catch up with one's elders and extended relations. On the eve of Songkran, the 12th the Thais spring cleans their houses and burn any rubbish; in the belief that rubbish brought into the new year can equate to and bring with it bad luck. Now the Thais observe a rather more boisterous tradition of water throwing; where people are themselves with buckets and containers, full of water and drench people as the go by. Many position themselves at the side of the road and lie in wait. Some Thais also observe the more religious aspect of Songkran by visiting Buddhist monasteries, where they pray and offer food to the monks.
　　Of course as with any national holiday food plays a bit part in the celebrations and what you are served is dependent on what part of Thailand you are in; there is the popular pad Thai noodles and Thai chicken green curry called Gaeng Kiew Wahn Gai. Gaeng Kiew Wahn Gai is made up of green curry paste, coconut milk, aubergines (egg plants), Kaffir Lime Leaves and chili.

Fun Facts About Brazil and Brazil Girls

Fun Facts About Brazil and Brazil Girls
1. In Brazil they speak Portuguese, not Brazilian or Spanish. In fact, there's no such language as Brazilian. Brazil was originally colonized by Portugal instead of Spain like the rest of Latin America, therefore the Portuguese influence on culture, race, and language in the country.
2. Men do not get Brazilian waxing done, not even in Brazil. Well, perhaps gay men do but not straight men. However women do get waxed, and the women also like to stay in shape and tanned. No one can argue with that.

3. In Brazil all of the women are beautiful. That's great for the guys who live there but not so great for the girls.
4. Brazilian men are not to be trusted. American men are, well, no real difference there.
5. In America everyone farts and belches whenever they like and all they have to do is say excuse me. In Brazil if you fart in public you will turn red and apologize. No one farts in public in Brazil.
6. In Brazil a guy can live in his parents house is entire life and no one thinks that's strange. In America if a guy does that people think that there must be something wrong with him. This is similar to other Latin American countries because of the culture.
7. In Brazil people don't get married until their early 30s.
8. Futebol (Soccer for you Americans) is the Brazilian national pastime
9. Brazil has the most famous and celebrated carnival festival in the world. The main attraction is usually the one in Rio. Although it's celebrated throughout the country.
10. Brazil is 100% energy independent and has a booming economy.
Dan DeLa Cruz is a globe trekking author, traveler, and international ladies man. Dan is the author of the breakthrough series of books dedicated to helping men meet, date, seduce and even marry foreign women from places like Latin America, South East Asia, and Eastern Europe. Through his website Dan provides various coaching and training services that are designed to help men take their dating global, and meet attractive foreign women. The Global Dating Revolution website features the entire series of books about meeting foreign ladies, videos, training modules, tutorials, blog, community forums and much more. Dan is also one of the foremost experts in the topic of mail order brides, as well as meeting and dating brazil girls.

Night Radish Festival -- Mexico

La noche de los rábanos is one of the most unique folk art festivals in the world and takes place every December 23rd in Oaxaca, Mexico.While Americans have pumpkins for Halloween, Oaxacans have the radish for Christmas!The Night of the Radishes is one of the most anticipated celebrations in Oaxaca. Every year, the humble radish is carved into beautiful, intricate sculptures of animals, dancers, saints, conquerors, kings and everything else imaginable. Once Oaxaca's radish-artists are done with this vegetable, it barely resembles something you might eat at the dinner table.Nobody really knows how this festival started, although it is believed to have originated in 1897, when the then mayor of the city started the first exhibition of radish art. In the last century, markets during Christmas eve sold salt-dried fish and vegetables for customers coming out of the midnight mass.

To differentiate the items from one another, vendors sculpted their radishes into tiny figures, sometimes even decorating them with other vegetables such as onions or lettuce. The radishes seemed to be a hit with the housewives then, as these women sought out the most interesting sculptures to add to the air of cheer to their Christmas tables. Every year since the first exhibition, the best displays receive cash prizes.Radish artists begin carving three days before the festival, which is held on December 23. Children are taught this unique craft on the morning of the festival itself. By the afternoon of the festival, the Zocalo is filled with contestants all eager to display their fabulous sculptures. Over time, some artists started toying with other vegetables such as flowers or corn husks for their masterpieces.By nighttime on the 23rd, the winners are announced but the celebrations are not yet over. Come December 24, the Zocalo comes to life again, this time with parades of floats designed by the many different churches in Oaxaca.On the 25th, there is another grand fiesta filled with fireworks, music, dancing and the traditional Christmas dinner.

Festival of the Pig

However, little known to the outside world is that people of France also love to let their hair down, get messy and act absolutely silly. French people, especially of the countryside are famous for their highly entertaining festivals and fun-filled events. The annual Festival of the Pig held in the little commune Trie-sur-Baïse every August, located in the southern France, is one of the many bizarre festivals that are held in France each year. To celebrate the pig, often considered chubby and cute and a delicious meal by meat-eaters world over, is indeed a strange cause. But, to the villagers of this commune this festival is a time for some asinine fun and a way to attract hundreds of tourists to their homeland.Mutter: World’s strangest museumAt the festival, participants and attendees get together to partake in some of the most outrageous competitions and pageants that involve the pig.
Competitions include the Best Pig Outfit, piglet races and eating of pork-sausages. The festival's highlight is the ‘French Pig-Squealing Championships', known in French as Championnat de France du Cri de Cochon. In this highly-popular competition, participants should imitate the sounds of a pig during its various life stages. With so many strange competitions in one festival, participants and viewers are bound to be left tickled with laughter. Following the contests is a night filled with prolonged music, singing and dancing　Organized by the Brotherhood of the Pig, the Festival of the Pig has survived in its commune because of the village's reputation as one of the largest pig-rearing areas in France.The festival was also featured in the television programme Eurotrash.
 Although a festival of harmless fun, the Festival of Pig was also subject to controversy when in 2005, a photograph of a participant was manipulated to poke fun of the Prophet Mohammed. It was this incident that brought the festival international fame. Despite its negative attention in the aftermath of the controversy, the Festival of Pig continues to live on and bring the people of Trie-sur-Baïse a reason to have some light-hearted fun every second Sunday of August.If you happen to be in France and are looking for some good-hearted humour, you simply must witness the Festival of the Pig. With many hotel specialson offer around that time of the year, you are bound to find it easy to make hotel reservationsin France. The Millennium & Copthorne Hotels in Paris is an excellent, luxurious hotel that will guarantee you an enjoyable stay in France.

Songkran Festival

Of all the feasts and festivals in Thailand, which are many, the Songkran Festival is the most striking, for it is widely observed not only in this country but also in Burma, Cambodia and the Lao State.Songkran is a Sanskrit word in Thai form which means the entry of the sun into any sign of the Zodiac. But the Songkran in this particular instance is when the sun enters the sign of Aries or the Ram. Its full name is Maha Songkran or Major Songkran to distinguish it from the other ones. But the people call it simply the Songkran for it is the only one they know and in which they take interest.

 It is their traditional New Year when they can enjoy their holidays to the full with no economic hindrance. Songkran is a fixable feast on the solar calender. It begins on the 13th April and ends on the 15th April, but occasionally in certain years on the 16th April. The Songkran is in fact the celebration of the vernal equinox similar to those of the Indian Holi Festival, the Chinese Ching Ming, and the Christian Festival of Easter. The beginning of spring when the sun crosses the equator is now on the 21st of March which is due to the precession of the equinox. The Songkran Festival is in a certain sense like April Fool's Day, when the maids of the village play pranks on any gallant who happens to pass by their way. He will be caught and bound by the united strength of the maids and they will daub him with blacking.

many strange traditions and festivals have arisen in Britain

10Gurning

The Egremont Crab Fair – one of England’s weirder events – gets its name from crab apples rather than the marine variety. It started back in the 13th century when the Lord of the Manor gave away crab apples to the populace. In fact, to this day, the Parade of the Apple Cart, where apples are thrown into the crowds on the Main Street, is part of the fair. There are a host of other non-mechanized, traditional events – greasy pole climbing, a pipe smoking contests, a talent show, Cumberland wrestling, a hounds trail. But lets face it, the reason Egremont makes the news every year is the gurning competition. Home of the Gurning World Championships.Gurning, involves a rubber-faced skill that is totally bizarre and unique to this part of England. Contestants put their heads through horse collar or braffin while they create the ugliest, most grotesque faces they can manage. A certain amount of skill is involved but a lot of beer and a certain amount of toothlessness probably has an impact as well. Celebrities occasionally have a go and the national news usually features the winning gurners. If you are in Cumbria visiting the Lake District, nearby, in September, stop in at the Egremont Crab Fair. You won’t see anything like this anywhere else and you won’t soon forget it.

9Cheese Rolling at Cooper’s Hill
The Cooper’s Hill Cheese-Rolling and Wake is an annual event held on the Spring Bank Holiday at Cooper’s Hill near Gloucester in the Cotswolds region of England It is traditionally by and for the people of Brockworth – the local village, but now people from all over the world take part. The event takes its name from the hill on which it occurs. The 2010 event has been cancelled due to safety concerns over the number of people visiting the event but it is hoped that it will be held on the late May Bank Holiday in 2011. Due to the steepness and uneven surface of the hill there are usually a number of injuries, ranging from sprained ankles to broken bones and concussion. Cooper’s Hill Cheese Rolling has been summarized as “twenty young men chase a cheese off a cliff and tumble 200 yards to the bottom, where they are scraped up by paramedics and packed off to hospital”.

8Maypole Dancing
Maypole dancing is a form of folk dance from western Europe, especially England, Sweden, Galicia, Portugal and Germany, with two distinctive traditions. In the most widespread, dancers perform circle dances around a tall pole which is decorated with garlands, painted stripes, flowers, flags and other emblems. In the second most common form, dancers dance in a circle each holding a colored ribbon attached to a much smaller pole; the ribbons are intertwined and plaited either on to the pole itself or into a web around the pole. The dancers may then retrace their steps exactly in order to unravel the ribbons.

7Pearly King and Queen

Pearly Kings and Queens, known as pearlies, are an organized charitable tradition of working class culture in London, England. The practice of wearing clothes decorated with pearl buttons originated in the 19th century. It is first associated with Henry Croft, an orphan street sweeper who collected money for charity. In 1911 an organized pearly society was formed in Finchley, north London.

6Guy Fawkes Night
Guy Fawkes Night (or “bonfire night”), held on 5 November in the United Kingdom and some parts of the Commonwealth, is a commemoration of the plot, during which an effigy of Fawkes is burned, often accompanied by a fireworks display. The word “guy”, meaning “man” or “person”, is derived from his name. Guy Fawkes (13 April 1570 – 31 January 1606), also known as Guido Fawkes, the name he adopted while fighting for the Spanish in the Low Countries, belonged to a group of Catholic Restorationists from England who planned the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. Their aim was to displace Protestant rule by blowing up the Houses of Parliament while King James I and the entire Protestant, and even most of the Catholic, aristocracy and nobility were inside. The conspirators saw this as a necessary reaction to the systematic discrimination against English Catholics.The Gunpowder Plot was led by Robert Catesby, but Fawkes was put in charge of its execution. He was arrested a few hours before the planned explosion, during a search of the cellars underneath Parliament in the early hours of 5 November prompted by the receipt of an anonymous warning letter. Basically it’s a celebration of the failed attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament in Westminster.

5Ascot Ladies Day
Ascot Racecourse is a famous English racecourse, located in the small town of Ascot, Berkshire, used for thoroughbred horse racing. It is one of the leading racecourses in the United Kingdom, hosting 9 of the UK’s 32 annual Group 1 races, the same number as Newmarket. The course is closely associated with the British Royal Family, being approximately six miles from Windsor Castle, and owned by the Crown Estate. Ascot today stages twenty-five days of racing over the course of the year, comprising sixteen Flat meetings held in the months of May and October. The Royal Meeting, held in June, remains a major draw, the highlight being the Ascot Gold Cup. The most prestigious race is the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes run over the course in July. What makes this so special is that every year the fashion, specifically the hats get bigger, bolder and damn right weirder as the photo illustrates.

4Bog Snorkeling
Yes indeed, you read correctly, bog snorkeling. If any of you ever doubted that us Brits are mad, this should make up your minds for you. Basically participants dive into a bog, wearing goggles, a pair of flippers and a snorkel, they then proceed to race each other along a 120ft trench filled with mud. Held every year the participants come from all over the world and raise lots of money for charity.

3Straw Bear
Straw Bear (Strawboer) Day is an old English tradition held on the 7th of January. It is known in a small area of Fenland on the borders of Huntingdonshire and Cambridgeshire, including Ramsey Mereside. This day is believed to be traditional start of agricultural year in England. A man or a boy wears a straw costume covering him from his head to toes. He goes from house to house where he dances. As prize for his dancing people give him money, food or beer.

2Worm Charming
Worm charming is a way to of attracting earthworms from the ground. Many do it to collect bait for fishing. But there are also those who do it as sort of sport. The village of Willaston, near Nantwich, Cheshire is the place where since 1980 the annual World Championships have been organized. The competition was actually initiated by local man Tom Shufflebotham who on the 5th of July, 1980 charmed 511 worms from the ground in only half an hour. The competition has 18 rules. Here are just few of them. Each competitor competes in the 3 x 3 meters area. Music of any kind can be used to charm worms out of the ground. No drugs can be used! Water is considered to be a drug (stimulant).

1Morris Dancing
A Morris dance is a form of English folk dance usually accompanied by music. It is based on rhythmic stepping and the execution of choreographed figures by a group of dancers. Implements such as sticks, swords, and handkerchiefs may also be wielded by the dancers. In a small number of dances for one or two men, steps are performed near and across a pair of clay tobacco pipes laid across each other on the floor.

Summer Festivals in Las Vegas

The summer events in Las Vegas range from concerts to movie show times, performing arts and family fun. The major locations of these festivals include the extravagant hotels like Caesars Palace and The Venetian or grand spectacles like Cirque du Soleil's Ka. The infamous Las Vegas Strip has almost everything you would look for during festivals. You can find out the schedules of the major summer festival events in the city through the Internet. Some of the major ones are as listed below.

The International Trombone Festival

Though it is somewhat old-fashioned in the city, the International Trombone Festival is one of the most unique summer festivals in the country for the tourists coming here. It takes place for three days from 31st of May to 2nd of June every year at the University of Las Vegas. This remarkable summer event brings in trombone players and enthusiasts from all around the world to participate. Professional performers take this opportunity to conduct workshops for students and amateurs. These events let people warm up, play and learn more about this marvelous piece of musical instrument.

The Harvest Festival

Now, this one is much more extravagant than the normal harvest festivals that you would have seen in other countries. It takes place at the Cashman Center near Las Vegas Boulevard North in Mid-August. Hundreds of artisans from across the country, come to this place with their hand blown glass, silver jewelry and chutney jars to participate in this festival.

CineVegas Film Festival

Around the mid of June, a fantastic film festival takes place at the 14 Cineplex in Palms Hotel at Brenden. It was first initiated in 1990 by Danny and Robin Greenspun who belong to the local media dynasty, the Greenspun. This popular festival is known as the little Sundance of the Sin City. It is a perfect blend of upcoming features, underground fare and decades old obscurities including some locally made movies as well.

Red White & Boom

This monstrous carnival, which occurs in this city, is based on fireworks display. It happens at the Desert Breeze Park in Spring Mountain road on the 4th of July every year. The power of the fireworks displayed here is second only to the one that happens at the Strip. It also has a passel of national rock acts making it a vaguely patriotic party, which is so much fun for a family.

World Series of Poker

Yet another strange festival that happens during summer in Las Vegas is the World Series Poker, which is one of the best events in Las Vegas. It exploits the enormous popularity of Poker in the city. The festival takes place at the Rio in S Valley View Boulevard sometime between June and July. It is not clear whether the attractiveness of poker gave birth to this two-week tournament but any way its popularity in Las Vegas continues to expand every year. The main event in 2006 saw 9000 competitors and the highest winning amount was around a whopping $12 million.

Las Vegas is home to several fabulous festivals and tourist attractions. It is a perfect choice for your next family vacation and it would be best that you hire a car from car rentals in Las Vegas to move around in the city, conveniently.I have been to this amazing place quite a few number of times and I feel the tourists should really make use of the car rentals in Fort Lauderdale for getting around in absolute convenience.
　　

You Should Know These Before Visiting Spain

Spain is one of the most visited countries in Europe. Helpful people, beautiful nature and the interesting history are just some of the things that make this country such a desirable location. Spain has become a very modern country, but travelers sometimes forget that it's a foreign country. They have a very different history, language and culture to what we learned. Before you book for your flight to Spain, you should know some facts about this country.

 It is not necessary to become an expert of the Spanish language, but some information can be helpful.Some people visit Spain in the summer, but soon find out that many things are closed. Festivals in Spain begin in Late July and carry on through August. There are also a few Saint's days to extend the weekends. You need to know this if you are traveling to Spain in the summer. Post offices and banks will be closed. You have to be very flexible in Spain at this time of year.Spanish banker has to be the happiest banker in the world. Banks are usually opened from 9am until 2pm in the afternoon. As opposite to other businesses, Banks are not opened after the Siesta time. Some Banks are opened also on Saturdays from 9-12. Hotels sometimes also offer to change your money.

So if the Banks are closed you can try your luck in a hotel.Spanish museums are usually closed on Mondays and holidays. Some museums are working on Sunday's only and are closed on the other days of the week. You should really check the museum work schedule before going to one. The hours also vary with the travel season.Taxis in Spain are reliable and offer a safe ride. They have a light green roof with a green light that is only on when a taxi is available. Be sure to check if the meter is set. You should also know that there is a surcharge for journeys to train stations and the airport.You should definitely visit Spain, but some knowledge will only help you. You should know how the country works before booking the ticket. Some of the facts about Spain may seem strange to us, but remember we live in a completely different country.

festival of Holi

Holi - from its mythological past to its present. The festival of Holi actually starts the night before with a bonfire made up of all the dried leaves and branches left through the winter. It is a way of clearing these and making way for spring. Metaphorically though, the fire is meant to signify the destruction of evil - the burning of the ‘Holika’ - a mythological character. The heat from the fire is also a reminder that winter is behind and that the hot summer days are ahead.The following morning begins with worshipping Krishna by lovingly smearing his idol with ‘gulal’ - the colours used to play Holi. This is a festival that is as much a gateway to celebrate the arrival of spring as much as it is a way to celebrate the season of love.
 Krishna is the ultimate lover with his ‘gopikas’, who are a bunch of beautiful women that Krishna forever seems to be chasing. And yet this icon of love spends most of his time seeking out his only lover Radha. So Krishna’s love is the epitome of the freshness of youth amidst all its playfulness. Without Krishna and his lover Radha there can be no Holi.Krishna’s mythological presence in Holi is undisputed. It is said that the festival is also a celebration of the death of Pootna - the demon who nearly killed Lord Krishna. The effigy of Pootna burnt the night before, therefore, ends up signifying death itself just as Pootna typifies winter and darkness.There are more stories. This is the one about Holika who believed herself to be immuned to death by fire.
 And yet when she questions her nephew Prahlad’s devotion to the ultimate of Gods, Vishnu and threatens to walk through fire with the intention to destroy the prince, she is herself consumed by the fire whereas the prince comes out unscathed. This is the Holika that is burnt the night before Holi as the triumph of the good over evil.This is where the celebration with colours comes in. Holi is supposed to be an exuberant show of goodwill and cheer. The riot of colours follows a revelry of colour play - quite unmatched in its boisterousness - and takes place amidst the sprinkling or the shower of coloured powder. And when this is combined with water it is anything but a damp squib. Everybody is welcome and everybody is pardoned for his or her revelry.

December Festivals in Singapore

Around 5 million populations comprised of Chinese, Malays, Indians and Asians. 42% of total populations are foreigners as workers and came to here for studying. It is second most dense country after Monaco.Being multicultural nation, you can have many colorful festivals throughout the year. The festivals of Singapore are primarily centered on age-old myths and traditions, religion and family. The cultural celebrations of Singapore are open to all. You could have spent most of days being a part of any festivals celebrating throughout the years.You could have festivals from January month where you like many festivals like Chinese New Year, Parade, and Singapore River Hong Bao. We will have more details for them.Chinese New Year: This is one of the best festivals in Singapore. You will enjoy this festival for 42 days covering January and February.

It is the unique festive time of Singapore. It is the best time to visit Singapore. It is one of most special festivals of Singapore and you will get the liveliest events at Chinatown. Says focussingapore.Chingay Parade: It is held in Orchard road in month of January or February. It is considered best street festival of Singapore. It contains with samba dancers, ion dancers, stilt walkers and floats.Hari Raya Puasa: This is held in month of January probably 19th January denoting ending of Ramadan. Ramadan is the holy month for the Muslims. After sunset, the vendor stalls in the Arab street district near the Sultan Mosque sell food.

Says focussingapore.Thaipusam: It is celebrated in Little India at date of 31 January at Sri Thandayuthapani Temple and Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple. Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated mostly by the Tamil community on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai.Singapore River Hong Bao: River Hongbao has been Singapore�s annual signature event to usher in the Chinese New Year since 1987. Immerse in the rich Chinese culture and festive atmosphere of the Lunar New Year with the fairyland of lighting decorations, savour mouth-watering food from food street and cooking demonstrations, purchase souvenirs from the handicraft and specialty stalls, have fun at the carnival and enjoy traditional and contemporary Chinese song and dance performances. Says sgcgo.Do you like to save international roaming UPTO 85% then I would suggest choosing Singapore SIM Card, International SIM Card and UK cell phone rental.

Muscat Festival

Muscat Festival, is a diverse and fascinating city. Situated upon the sea, it provides a tranquil setting for its inhabitants and tourists. A range of mountains forms a protective barrier around the bottom half of the city. These mountains were used in centuries past as a successful fortress to guard the city from marauding invaders. Because of its ideal position on the ocean, Muscat has, for many centuries, been a significant sea port for traders and other forms of businesses. Today, Muscat is a thriving city which offers a strong, diverse economic and social climate for its many inhabitants.The Muscat Festival is one of several traditional, annual events that the residents of Muscat look forward too. Established in 1998, the Festival draws a large number of tourists to Muscat each year. The primary aim of the festival is to celebrate the cultural heritage of Oman. However, it does allow other nations, cultures, and individuals to promote awareness about themselves.

 There are four main divisions to the Muscat festival; sports and entertainment, child and family friendly programs, traditional and international arts, and traditional folk art and traditional handicrafts of Oman.Many Omanis share a fierce pride and respect concerning their history and heritage. One result from this regard is the desire to link their past to their present and to reinforce their cultural identity as a country. The aim of the Muscat Festival is to embody these desires in a manner that is respectful and educational for its attendees. For example, one of the most popular attractions of the Muscat Festival is an indigenous village located in the Qurum National Park. Here, the residents of the village educate festival goers on the various aspects of the traditional Omani lifestyle. Attendees are also able to partake of traditional folk arts and crafts. A visitor can also listen to the singing of traditional Omani folk songs, accompanied by drums.

Although the primary focus of the Muscat Festival is upon the cultural heritage of Omani citizens, it is also quite welcoming of other foreign countries who wish to enlighten others about their culture. This can be a unique experience for Festival attendees to learn about cultures other than their own. Within the Festival, there are intellectual and literature conferences. Many prominent Omani and Arab writers and artists are featured at these conferences to promote debate and discussion about social, economic, and environmental issues. There are also pottery lessons, prose lessons, artistic exhibits, and educational workshops for adults.However, children are not excluded from the Muscat Festival by any means. The Festival strives to maintain a family friendly environment for all of its participants. There are games, theater shows, athletic competitions, and other forms of entertainment for children to enjoy. There are also workshops for parents to attend on how to deal with the various issues that come with raising children. The Muscat Festival is an ideal environment for children and families to experience a taste of the world beyond the four walls of their home.

Why the Moon Festival is Specially Celebrated

The Moon Festival is a special Chinese holiday because it celebrates bounty, family and freedom.In old rural China, the Moon Festival is an occasion to give thanks for the bountiful harvest that year.Based on legend, the Chinese Moon festival is also a romantic time to celebrate love for family.History contributes its own basis. A landmark political victory is attribute to this Chinese holiday.The Moon Festival is celebrated during the 15th of the 8th month of the Chinese calendar, when the full moon is believed to be at its fullest and brightest. This year 2008, it is celebrated on September 14th.Moon Festivals in China are commemorated by families eating dinner together, and then going outdoors to appreciate the wondrous beauty of the full moon.

Prayers and wishes are sent forth to the Lady of the Moon. Moon poetry is also read. For family members or lovers who are not together, the Moon Festival is the perfect time to gaze at the moon and remember loved ones. Simultaneously gazing at the moon, even though the loved one is far away, makes families and lovers feel closer.Moon festival events are held in many countries for its Chinese residents. Lantern festivals, fairs and moon-gazing activities are commonly held throughout the world to honor the season and the moon. In the US and other countries, Chinese moon festivals are also celebrated by families through night picnics, moon poetry reading and moon-gazing.There are several bases why this holiday is close to the hearts of the Chinese.

The Moon Festival and ThanksgivingIn old rural China, villagers were more attuned to the moon calendar to time their planting and harvesting. It is this time of year when villagers have finished working on the fields. Families finally get together again and give thanks for the harvest.The Moon Festival and Love for Family.The romance of the Moon Festival is not forgotten as it is surrounded by colorful legends centering on love and family. There are many variations, but a common thread is about Hou Yi the Archer and his wife Lady Chang'E.In the olden days, it was said that 10 suns arose and shone on the earth. The extreme heat from the suns dried up the earth and the fields. People starved. Hou Yi the archer shot down 9 of the suns and saved the earth. The Jade Emperor was pleased and awarded him with the Elixir of Life. Hou Yi had a wife, Chang'E. There are different versions to the story.

One version is that Hou Yi gave the elixir to Chang' E for safekeeping. Another version says that Hou Yi hid the elixir and Chang'E accidentally found it. Either way, Chang'E ingests the Elixir of Life. She becomes very light and floats up to the heavens. She also changes into a toad. Hou Yi chases her through the heavens, but does not succeed in getting her back. Chang'E lands on the moon. Hou Yi accepts their fate and has a Moon Palace built for her. The gods, touched by Hou Yi's love for Chang'E, allow them to meet there once a month, when the moon is full.The Jade Rabbit's origins also have different versions. It is commonly told that the rabbit accompanies Chang'E on the moon and continually concocts the Elixir of Life.
　　
Historically, the mooncake and the moon festival has also been instrumental for the Chinese to overthrow the Mongol rulers. In 1368, written messages were baked into mooncakes with instructions to rebel against the ruling Mongols of the Yuan Dynasty. The messages instructed that on the night of Eight-fifteen, every family is to raise flags and lanterns on their rooftops at night, between eleven and one o' clock. Villagers were instructed to beat on drums and gongs. When the Mongol army saw this setup, they were deceived to be outnumbered and they retreated. The Chinese regained their freedom.The Moon Festival evokes incredible emotions of gratitude, love and appreciation for freedom. The feelings of families giving gratitude for the year's blessings are strong by itself. Combining it further with appreciation that one's ancestors had the courage to stand up for freedom further highlights the positive feelings toward this festival.