ON OUR WAY TO MEXICO

Today we will be traveling to Mexico to celebrate a very unique holiday known to many Hispanic cultures.

Dia De Los Muertos

Day of The Dead 

Celebrated on October 31, November 1st and 2nd 

This holiday is widely celebrated in Mexico as a day to pray and remember the deaths of loved ones. This holiday starts October 31st and continues on November 1st and 2nd in connection with the Christian tritium Halloween, All Saints Day, and All Souls Day. This Holiday is not only celebrated in Mexico but all over the world usually in places with Hispanic culture.

Some of the traditions in Mexico that are performed on this special day are ofrendas. Ofrendas are private altars that are build for diseased loved ones. These private altars are like small huts that are decorated and lit up with candles, lights, flowers, and many decorations. 

Another common tradition that is done for this holiday are sugar skulls. Skulls in the pre-Hispanic era were commonly kept as trophies and were displayed during rituals to display death and rebirth. Hispanics are strong believers of God and the powers of the earth. Most, if not all Hispanics have at one point in their lives encountered a ritual that requires the praying of someone who posses the ability to tap into this energy and perform "good voodoo" to help in health and success. Many of the people who are able to tap into this energy believe that skulls can channel more energy for them to have a stronger connection to this power and perform their ritual at a maximum level. Other objects that allow there to be the channeling of energy are: candles, eggs, and certain plants depending on the ritual. Rituals are commonly performed on The Day of The Dead these are usually only in the form of prayer. Prayer is done most of the day to celebrate their loved ones after life and for their memory. 

Here is a link that will give you a few prayers said on The Day of The Dead. 

http://www.catholic.org/prayers/prayer.php?p=805 

Ending the night of celebration is a feast that is usually hosted at everyones home. Some families gather together while others find it easier and more comfortable to celebrate with a small feast at home. It is tradition to cook the diseased family members favorite food as a form of offering to their resting souls. Some families serve a plate for their diseased loved ones over night because it is said that their souls come down to have a taste of their favorite dish. 

Book your flights ladies and gentlemen and lets get ready to celebrate The Day of The Dead.

Stay tuned for next week! 

Where shall we celebrate next? 

Italy's Festa Della Repubblica

Let us go to Italy to celebrate! 

Fessta Della Repubblica 

Republic day 

celebrated on: June 2nd 

Republic Day is an Italian National Holiday that is celebrated on June 2nd of every year. This day is celebrated and remembered as the day Italians were called to the stand to vote, in 1946, for what they believed in; a vote towards a republic or a monarchy. With over 12 million votes the republic won the election making Italy a republic instead of a monarchy. 

Becoming a republic was extremely important to Italy. As a republic they are now able to vote and nominate/ elect a president; they no longer have a king or queen. When Italy was a monarchy they did not have a choice in leader and neither were they able to vote for what they believed in. As a monarchy they were ruled and told how to live and how not to live. By gaining republic Italy, in a sense, gained their freedom as a country. 

Now as a republic on Republic Day the Italians take their joy and celebrate with festivals and parades. The parade held on this day brings together all of Italy to the streets as the show goes marching by. The parade honors the different branches of the military: Italian Navy, Italian Army, Italian Air Force, Cavalry, and many more. 

Along with men marching along the streets and horses galloping their way through the town there is also the marching Air Force who play tunes to excite the crowd on this lovely day.

The parade began 1948 two years after Italy became a republic. The parade is a kick-off to many traditions that take place on this day such as the laying of the wreath to the Tomb of The Unknown Soldier and the opening of the Quirinale Palace, the home of the President of Italy. The celebration at the palace is grand and joyous. There is a feast with many different delicious plates that are brought to the table and live music that play throughout the day to create a lively and pompous evening. Italians rejoice on Republic Day for their freedom from monarchy and a right to vote. 

Join us Next week as we travel the world one holiday at a time. 

Where shall we go next?

Where do you want to celebrate next? 

Please if you have any suggestions comment on the comment box below and lets continue our journey around the world. 

La Hora de España

Time to travel to a far off land of España. Spain, a beautiful country where romance is prevalent as you walk along the streets; a country worth celebrating. 

Day of The Valencia Community in Spain 

(Día de la comunidad de Valencia) 

This day marks the anniversary of King James I of Aragon's capture of the city of Valencia from Moorish forces in 1238. It is also the Day of Saint Dionysius, this is a traditional festival of lovers. Day of The Valencia community is celebrated on October 9th. 

King James I of Aragon took over the land that is now known as Valencia in 1208. He later captured Valencia and created the Kingdom of Valencia as an independent country that belonged only to King James I of Aragon. Valencia later became part of the Kingdom of Spain in 1707. 

The International Festival of Pyrotechnics is held in the city of Valencia in early October, this is in preparation for the Day of the Valencia. The finale of this celebration is a festival that marks the start of the Day of the Valencia Community celebrations. Parades are held in the city of Valencia and other towns and villages in the region on October 9th. The parades feature people dressed in costumes, including medieval costumes. People in some areas hold a meal or party after the parade.

October 9 is also the Day of Saint Dionysius (Sant Dionís). This saint is traditionally considered as the patron saint of lovers and there is the custom of giving the gift of a Mocaorà. A Mocaorà is a silken scarf containing marzipan pastries handcrafted by Valencia’s finest bakers. Valencian men traditionally give their sweethearts gifts of marzipan sweets on this day. These sweets are wrapped in a piece of silk or placed in a decorative box. This special day is used by Spanish men to court their lovers/potential lovers with a gift that is sure to satisfy their sweet tooth.

Mazipan is a must have spanish desert in spain. Here is a link to the top 5 must taste items in Spain!
http://www.latortugaviajera.com/2011/12/

Join me next week on our next vacation. Where shall we travel to now? 

Shall we travel to Italia. 'coma back for the Italia, they say it is very maravilloso!' 

Flying Over Seas- Time to Celebrate!

Palestine,

Let us take time to travel overseas where the culture is rich in tradition and even higher in religion. 

Lailat Al Miraj 

Lailat Al Miraj is a Muslim holiday that is celebrated in honor of the Prophet Mohammad's nighttime journey from Mecca to the farthest Mosque in Jerusalem, where he then ascended to heaven. A Mosque is a muslim place of worship. Muhammad was a prophet that unified Arabia under a single religious polity in Islam. 

On the Islamic calendar Lailar Al Miraj is generally observed on the 27th day of Rejab. Rejab is rooted from Rejaba, which means to respect. Rejab is a time in Islam when battles are prohibited; a time of peace and worship. Rajab is celebrated a month before Ramadan. Ramadan is another celebration that Muslims celebrate in Islam. The Muslim culture is very rooted to tradition and praising their prophet Muhammad; their savior and peacemaker. 

The story of Lailat Al Miraj consists of two major parts. The first part of the story begins with the Prophet Muhammad at the Kabaa in Mecca. There are two archangels who provide him with a mythical winged steed called Buraq. Buraq carries the Prophet to the farthest Mosque, which is believed by Muslims to be the most sacred place of worship, where Muhammad joins past prophets in prayer.

For the second part of his journey the Prophet then ascends to heaven where he is told by God of the duty, for Muslims to pray five times daily (Salat). This has carried 

On the night of Laylat al-Miraj, children are the primary focus: They come to the mosque and are told the story of Mohammed’s Night Journey. A session of prayer that also involves adults. Everyone is to feast and enjoy the company of family, friends and friendly neighbors. It is truly wondrous to see the Muslim community come together and worship and praise their prophet Muhammad and their God Allah. 

Join us next week!

Where shall we go next? I think a nice trip to Spain might be exciting! Let us prepare and come together in next weeks wondrous adventure to Spain.