Grenada’s Spicemas Carnival
Every year, from July to mid-August, the country of Grenada celebrates its largest cultural event, the Spicemas Carnival. It happens in many cities throughout the country, but the biggest is the main event in St. George’s, the capital. It takes place as part of the general Grenada carnival season and is put on to celebrate the country’s independence, gained in 1974.
Many people came together over the centuries to make Grenada the place that it has become. French, African, British and native indigenous people all brought their traditions and combined them into what visitors see
today. To show people the essence of the country’s culture, organizers plan for months in order to make sure that they get everything right and put on the best performances they possibly can.
By far the main elements of the Spicemas Carnival are the parades. People dress in colorful costumes and masks and dance and sing their way through the streets. As the event evolved, two main traditions have emerged - the Shortknees and the Jab Jab. The former consists of people wearing ankle bells and carrying tiny mirrors and talc powder. The mirrors are supposed to reflect back the evil intent of their enemies while the powder is to bless those who offer up donations to the group. The latter group, the Jab Jab, paint their bodies black and wear red helmets with false horns, representing a more sinister aspect.
In addition to the parades, there is plenty of music in several different traditional styles, with many bands competing to see which is the best. There is a beauty pageant known as the National Carnival Queen Show, in which ladies dress in costume and fancy dress to compete. There are also many events specifically for children and those that involve performances by the children of Grenada. And, of course, there is plenty of delicious regional food and drink to partake of.
Spicemas is a near-constant stream of parades and costumes set to music. It’s a great way to see Grenada if this country happens to be on your vacation list or if you happen to be cruising around the Caribbean some time.
International Festival of the North
Each year, in and around the city of Murmansk, the International Festival of the North takes place. This event is held more than 100 miles north of the Arctic Circle to ensure there’s plenty of snow to accommodate. It takes place during the end of March or beginning of April and lasts for 10 days.
The International Festival of the North has a long tradition reaching back all the way to 1934. At first it was just a local event, but it gained international status in 1970. It has changed over the years to incorporate new technologies and embrace new popular winter traditions, but still remains one of the most renowned of winter sporting festivals in the world. People come from both all over the country and from elsewhere to take part, including many celebrities and professionals. Olympic Committee representatives even show up each year, looking for the next great talents.
The festival is host to many of the best sporting competitions. There is skiing of many varieties, from races to biathlons, cross-country and downhill. There is field and ice hockey, figure skating and an underwater swimming competition that takes place in an icy lake. There are snowmobile races and, one of the most popular events, reindeer sledding. Another claim to fame is the skiing marathon, in which people travel for miles, across Russia and into Norway and Finland.
This is a very busy event, between all the tourists, competitors and professionals that show up each year. If you want to attend (or maybe even take part), you’d best book lodging well in advance or risk having to commute to the festival each day. If you’re a lover of winter sports, the International Festival of the North is not to be missed.
Limburg’s Whisky Fair
If you’re a lover of whisky, then Germany has got the celebration for you. It’s called the Whisky Fair and it’s an event in honor of all-things-whisky. It takes place in the city of Limburg each year, started up in 2002 and entering into its 12th celebration as of 2013.
But despite this young age, it brings in thousands of people to partake of some of the finest whiskies in the world and share their love of the spirit. Since its inception it has already had to increase the size of its venue and if it keeps growing will likely have to do so again in the near future. For two days, people gather together, sample hundreds of varieties of whisky and enjoy a bounty of delicious German food.
When at Limburg’s Whisky Fair, tasting is the main focus and you’ll get the chance to sample all sorts of whiskies. There are many popular and common brands, but the serious whisky lovers often bring drinks that are rarer. Collectors will bring in some very hard-to-find spirits to sample out, though don’t think you’ll be getting them for cheap.
In addition to the drinking, around a hundred different exhibitors bring in both whisky and things that are related to the drink. Cigars, chocolate and other spirits are just a few examples, but pretty much anything that traditionally goes with whisky will no doubt be found on sale somewhere. You can also take the opportunity to attend one of several seminars and learn more about this tasty spirit. For entertainment, dance troupes come from around the region and put on performances.
Limburg’s Whisky Fair is the perfect event for both the old school who have been enjoying the drink for decades and the younger crowd who are just discovering their fondness. In fact, the younger drinkers often party deep into the night, enjoying whisky perhaps a bit too much all at once.
This year the Whisky Fair takes place from April 27th to the 28th, but if you plan on attending make sure to book your hotel early, as they tend to fill up anywhere from three to four months in advance.
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Save up to 30% at PetSmart through December 2, 2012 during their 3-day Winter Wonderland sale. Holiday pet treats and toys available for as low as $1.04. Check local ads for details.
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Special Class Restaurant
China hosts a variety of interesting and unique themed restaurants, but few that are as expensive and high-class as the aptly named Special Class restaurant. There is more than one airline-themed eating place in the country, but this one mimics the interior of an Airbus A380 - a jumbo jet known for being one of the largest commercial airliners ever built. Located in Chongqing, Special Class opened up just this last summer and is already becoming a popular place for those with some money to blow.
This fancy airplane is decorated in all ways to look just like the luxurious interior of the A380. The staff are all dressed up to appear as stewardesses and trained to actually treat customers as if they were on an airline. The seats are of the same adjustable kind that you would normally find on this type of plane. Customers have a choice of sitting at either an economy table (like an open restaurant), reserving a private room or eating in one of the egg-shaped pods that are designed to house couples.
Although it may look like you are sitting aboard a jumbo jet, the food is anything but airline quality. It is a gourmet cuisine that costs an arm and a leg, but to those looking to dine in style, it’s worth the price. In fact, it can cost up to $1500 for the privilege of eating at Special Class, though most of that is for the table reservation.
If you want to have some fine dining about a jet but don’t like the hassle of visiting the airport, it’s a place to check out. Though the price for an actual plane ticket is comparable and you actually end up somewhere when you’re done, the food is certainly not going to be as good.
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Vappu!
On the last day in April, the entire country of Finland celebrates one special holiday that is dedicated to all the young Finns that have escaped from the confines of the public school system. This country-wide graduation party comes right before Finnish Labor Day and often continues from one day into the next. Though every place celebrates the Vappu festival, the biggest and the best by far takes place in the country’s capital, Helsinki.
The events start at around 6pm when tens-of-thousands of people gather around the city’s statue of Havis Amanda. Students come to the statue and then whichever school has been chosen that year has the honor of performing the ritual washing of this piece of art. After the washing is done, a white cap - the symbol of graduation for Finnish students - is placed upon the statue’s head and the party begins with a round of champagne bottles being opened.
The streets then fill with people celebrating, both young and old, everyone wearing a white cap. While it means newfound freedom for students, for older folks it is more a symbol of solidarity. As the crowds roam the streets they drink plenty of mead and
dance their way along.
The party keeps going all night and frequently into the next morning as festival-goers fill up clubs, bars and numerous house parties. This later partying is primarily for the younger crowd, the adults choosing instead to get some sleep that night. The next day, Labor Day, consists of one giant picnic in the park for those that manage to wake up on time. For the truly hardcore, it’s back to the bars after the picnic to run one more night into the dawn.
Vappu is a great Finnish tradition that can be a great way to meet the locals and experience this unique bit of the country’s culture. Visitors are welcome to come and enjoy the experience, hanging out with Finland’s people and drinking as long as they can keep up.
Bon Jovi: Exclusive Ticket Package
Bon Jovi fans can catch the band at St. Louis Scottrade Center on March 13, 2013. With this exclusive online deal, for $89 you can get a preferred level seat, t-shirt, and souvenier program.
Out-of-towners can purchase a complete package for two for $625, including overnight hotel accomodations.
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Swaziland’s Bushfire Festival
At the end of May of each year, in Malkerns Valley in the city of Hhohho, Swaziland, the Bushfire Festival takes place. For three days, all throughout the weekend, the country hosts a family-friendly celebration of music and entertainment. This year is only the 7th for the festival, but it already brings in more than 20,000 people each year.
The main focus of Bushfire is dedicated to promoting African arts and music. Organizers seek to inspire the youth of Swaziland to enjoy and take part in the arts by exposing them to many international performances. They also use the proceeds from the festival to help children in the country who are suffering due to the current HIV epidemic.
There are many things to keep you occupied at Bushfire. There is a show featuring giant puppets, poetry and spoken-word performances, art exhibitions, sculptures and other installations and film viewings. Music is played all day and night at the House on Fire venue, featuring bands from around the world that play many genres. There is also a special area just for the kids and a market where one can buy regional food and handmade crafts.
All the profits of the Bushfire Festival are used to fund an NGO by the name of the Young Heroes Orphan Sponsorship Program. Their goal is to work with children who have lost their parents due to HIV.
The next Bushfire is taking place from May 31st to June the 2nd. If you make it to the festival, you have the option of either getting a hotel or trying your hand at camping out. Either way, you’ll be sure to enjoy the many forms of music and rich African culture.