Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples Day: Open and Closed Details

BY  Abdul Aziz Dec 27, 2023

The holidays of Hanukkah, Christmas, and New Year's are all about happiness, family, and celebration. This entails engaging in festive customs and spending time with loved ones for the majority of people. However, these holidays have a whole new significance for cosmonauts and astronauts in space. Vacations in space were uncommon in the early years of space exploration. The first Christmas spent in space by astronauts was during the Apollo 8 mission in December 1968. Frank Borman, James A. Lovell, and William A. Anders read passages from the Bible's Book of Genesis while in orbit around the moon, broadcasting the scenes to an estimated billion viewers worldwide. Vacations in space increased in frequency and length as missions went on. Astronauts Gerald P. Carr, Edward G. Gibson, and William R. Pogue observed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's in space during the 1973–1974 Skylab 4 mission. They watched a comet pass by, made a homemade Christmas tree out of food containers, and had a festive dinner that included fruitcake. For cosmonauts, the New Year's holiday was particularly important. Yuri V. Romanenko and Georgi M. Grechko were the first people to celebrate the new year while in orbit on the Salyut-6 space station in 1977 and 1978. In a broadcast on television, they raised a glass to the occasion. Astronaut Jeffrey A. Hoffman observed Hanukkah in 1993 while on the STS-61 mission aboard the space shuttle Endeavour. To celebrate the Festival of Lights, he spun a dreidel and carried a traveling menorah. Holidays were not only observed in space, but astronauts went above and beyond to make the occasion joyful. The 1999 STS-103 crew, who were entrusted with fixing the Hubble Space Telescope, celebrated Christmas with a special meal that included French specialties. Twelve Mir expedition crews, including NASA astronauts, spent their vacations on board the Russian space station between 1987 and 1998. Messages were exchanged and customs, like lighting Hanukkah candles and sending Christmas greetings, were demonstrated during these festivities. On board the International Space Station, holiday celebrations are still customarily observed. Whether it's through live broadcasts, symbolic decorations, or special food items, astronauts and cosmonauts find inventive ways to bring the joy of these festivities to the cosmic realm. Though they may be different, people who celebrate the holidays far above Earth still find great meaning and significance in them. Read Also: 6 Things Locals Wish Tourists Wouldn’t Do When In Iceland Juneau’s Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area Is Expecting Big Changes Bora Bora Is Shifting Its Tourism Policy, Aims To Double Tourists By 2033

BY  Abdul Aziz Dec 23, 2023

Icelandic Tourist Board reported over 1.7 million visitors in 2022. The ethereal beauty of Iceland has persistently drawn hoards of tourists to its shores. Unavoidably, these tourists make mistakes and encounter culture crushes. There are now about six things that collectively irks the people of Iceland. First, there is the joke about Iceland and Greenland. Actually we have all heard the joke. It stems from the fact that Greenland is covered in ice and Iceland is lush green. Then there is the northern lights that tourists look for during the summers. Icelanders are tired of tourists not doing their research before planning their trip. The midnight sun that occurs between May and August is also a matter of confusion among tourists. European culture, especially Iceland does not appreciate tipping in restaurants, finding it borderline offensive in certain parts. Saying no to tipping on the part of the service-providers also results in arguments. Anna Ragna, born and raised in Iceland moved to the US in 2015. She tells Business Insider, "A lot of times there would be tips on the table for the waitress and they say, 'We can't take it,' and then it'll end up turning into an argument, and that's something that happened quite often." Iceland is renowned for its pristine beauty and the natives hate when tourists littter. Ragna says, it "enrages us as a people." There is also the issue of tampering with the delicate Icelandic moss. This slow-growing green layer is able to adapt to the harshest climates but it can be very fragile when tread  upon. It grows incredibly slowly and it can take up a hundred years just to grow a simple patch." Tourists also ignore signs in different hazardous areas. For example, an Icelandic Coast Guard helicopter rescued an  "exhausted, cold and shocked" hiker who got too close to a volcanic eruption near Grindavík on December 19. Authorities warned tourists to "think four times." Davíð Geir Jónasson who is the owner of Icelandic tour company called Vik Expeditions says he has seen this happen too many times throughout his 15-year long service. He says, "In Iceland, a warning sign is put up because someone has died or multiple people have died. It's not just because something might happen." Read Also: Kenya Is Targeting 5.5M Tourist Arrivals By 2028 Juneau’s Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area Is Expecting Big Changes Christmas In Nottingham: 2023 Bin Collection Dates, Tram Timetable And More

BY  Abdul Aziz Dec 13, 2023

Christmas is drawing close and there is no better way to celebrate it than immersing yourself in the magical holiday spirit visiting some of the world's best Christmas destinations? There are snow capped mountains, colorful city lights and the ever-enchanting vibe of Christmas. We now have a list of the most iconic places to visit around the globe while the bells chime and the choir sings. Nuremberg, Germany Germany is well-known for its unreal Christmas markets and Nuremberg is the most beautiful and traditional destination. The Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt is the oldest dating back to the 16th century and has over 180 stalls. They are draped with red-and-white cloth roofs. Quebec City, Canada Another old world city, Quebec boats cobblestoned streets and 17th century architecture which transforms into a wintry fairytale when the holiday season arrives. The German-inspired Christmas market in Place de l'Hôtel-de-Ville has local delicacies, crafts, and a festive atmosphere. Tokyo Japan Japan is known for embracing the Christmas season with a cultural flair. They do not celebrate it in the Christian spirit but the streets, especially Tokyo, transforms into the most vibrant array of decoration, color, and lights. Displays at places like Roppongi Hills and Tokyo Midtown draws a huge crowd that seeks a vibrant and modern Christmas. The Japanese Christmas cake is as delicious as it can get. Reykjavik, Iceland Capital of Iceland is yet another destination for all your Christmas magic needs. The place offers an unique take on Christmas with a backdrop of geysers and glaciers. The Yule Lads (mischievous Icelandic elves) come to life during the holiday season and the city is decorated with festive lights and decor. Lapland, Finland The official home of Santa Claus, Lapland is truly the winter wonderland that no one must miss. The region stays blanketed in snow during the holiday season. Visitors can enjoy reindeer safaris, husky sleigh rides, and also catch glimpses of the Northern lights. And of course Santa Claus Village is an absolute must visit. Read Also: Crime Rate In Florida Trending Down While California Skyrockets: Report Thailand Becomes Most Preferred Destination For Tourists: Agoda Reports