Countries:

Japan
Greece
The Gambia
Ireland
Greenland
South Korea
Lithuania
Maldives

1. The youngest in the party always pours drinks; when exchanging money, use your right hand – the left signals disrespect.

2. Ancient beliefs survive; people from this country fear jinnis - evil spirits that come from the sea, land and sky.

3. It’s polite to slurp loudly when eating soup or noodles; most kitchens do not have ovens.

4. People from this country drink more tea per capita than any other nation in the world.

5. People from this country wear blue trinkets to ward off the evil eye.

6. It’s a taboo to whistle after dark in this country.

7. When visiting someone from this country, bring an odd number of flowers – even-numbered bouquets are for the dead! Never shake hands across a doorway, as it is believed to bring bad luck.

8. People from this country believe that their children are born with the wisdom, magic and intelligence of their ancestors

Answers: 1. South Korea 2. Maldives 3. Japan 4. Ireland 5. Greece 6. The Gambia 7. Lithuania 8. Greenland

The most commonly sung song for English-speakers on New Year’s eve, “Auld Lang Syne” is an old Scottish song that was first published by the poet Robert Burns in the 1796 edition of the book, Scots Musical Museum. “Auld Lang Syne” literally translates as “old long since” and means “times gone by”.

Hogmanay is the Scottish New Year’s celebration that involves “first footing”, a tradition in which neighbors visit each other,  bringing gifts and wishes for a Happy New Year. It is considered especially lucky if a tall, dark, and handsome man is the first to enter your house after the new year is rung in. Hogmanay also consists of an all-night street party.

Oshogatsu, or New Year’s in Japan, is an important holiday of renewal. Special parties, or bonenkai are held near the end of the year to say goodbye to the past year’s problems. At midnight, Buddhist temples strike their gongs 108 times in an effort to expel the 108 forms of human weakness. New Year’s Day is a day of rest from working and children receive otoshidama, or gifts with money inside. People traditionally send each other cards in the mail to arrive on January 1st.

In Spain, the ritual is to eat twelve grapes at midnight to secure the twelve happy months of the upcoming year.

In the Netherlands, the Dutch burn bonfires of Christmas trees on the streets and launch fireworks to purge the old and welcome the new.

In Greece, New Year’s Day is also the festival of St. Basil, one of the founders of the Greek Orthodox Church. A traditional St. Basil’s cake, or Vassilopitta, is served. A silver or gold coin is baked inside the cake and whoever finds it is considered to be lucky in the New Year.

Recipes:
Chocolate Yule Log
Chocolate Mocha Yule Log

Mexico – Dia de los Muertos

In Mexico, people celebrate the Day of the Dead on November 2nd to guide the spirits of their loved ones back home. They may set off firecrackers or make a path of flower petals leading from the graves to their front porches in order to do this. It is a happy celebration; family members picnic beside the graves of their loved ones and assemble altars in their homes that commemorate them.

China – Teng Chieh and Feast of the Hungry Ghosts

During the festival known as Teng Chieh, food and water are placed in front of the photos of loved ones, and bonfires and lanterns are lit to light the spirits’ path back to earth.
In another festival, during the 7th lunar month, the souls of the Hungry Ghosts wander the earth in search of affection. Hungry Ghosts may not have been properly cared for or given a proper burial after their death. People in China will set out food and gifts for these spirits and light bonfires to guide them. This is to make them feel welcomed and placate any anger they may have.

Austria

In Austria, some people leave bread, water, and a lighted lamp on the table when they go to bed. This is to welcome the spirits back to earth on a day of particularly strong cosmic energies.

Belgium

People light candles in memory of their deceased relatives. It is also believed that it is bad luck for a black cat to cross your path.

Italy and other Roman Catholic countries – All Souls’ Day

Family members visit the graves of their deceased loved ones, bringing flowers or candles with them.
In Italy some families prepare a special feast for the souls of the departed on All Souls’ Day. They make cookies called “Bones of the Dead”. After they prepare the feast, they all go to church to pray for the souls of the deceased. They leave their home open so that the spirits can enter and enjoy the feast.

And now, a trivia question:

In what country is Halloween said to have originated?

A. Portugal
B. Ireland
C. United States
D. Belgium

Answer: B. Ireland

In Britain, new drivers must display red “L” plates on their vehicles, can drive only with people 21 or older and cannot drive on highways. Learner’s permits, called provisional licenses, are allowed at age 17.

Germany
Once they turn 18, teens can be taught to drive at driving schools. Fairly rigorous; and expensive; training is required. After that’s completed, teen drivers earn a two-year probationary license. That license can be extended for two more years; or revoked in case of a driving infraction, such as running a red light.

France
No licensing until age 18, but teens can begin driver training at 16 if they sign a contract that’s also signed by a driving school and a supervisor. During this period, teens must drive at least 12 mph below speed limits. One study of this practice, though, found it had no effect on the likelihood of crashes.

Nova Scotia, Canada
After obtaining a learner’s permit after they turn 16, drivers spend two years with licenses that restrict late-night driving. To get an unrestricted license, teens must complete a defensive-driving or other driver-training course. Graduated licensing has cut crash rates by 50% for beginner 16- and 17-year-olds during their first six months.

Victoria, Australia
Sixteen-year-olds can get learner’s permits but are ineligible for unrestricted licenses until they’re 18. During the probationary period before teens are fully licensed, their vehicles cannot surpass a certain ratio of horsepower to vehicle weight.

Denmark
Requires driver education that includes defensive driving, hazard perception and driving maneuvers. Fewer crashes were reported in the first year after tougher licensing rules were imposed. Teens can get a learner’s permit when they’re 17 1/2. They can get a probationary license at 18; they must hold that for three years before all restrictions are lifted.

Ontario, Canada
Drivers with learner’s permits, which can be issued at 16, can’t drive on high-speed roads. A “probationary” license can be issued at 16 years, four months. Teens can take the test for a full license 12 months later or at age 18, whichever is later.

New Zealand
In 1987, it became the first nation to use graduated licensing. At 15, teens can get a learner’s permit, which they must hold six months before they can get a restricted license. For 18 months, those licenses bar nighttime driving or any teen passengers in the vehicle without a supervising adult present. At 17, full licenses can be issued. Early evaluations showed about a 25% drop in fatal crashes. Longer-term studies found graduated licensing cut teen deaths about 7%.

British Columbia, Canada
Teen drivers in an 18-month novice stage after the learner’s permit period (which can begin at age 16) must display an “N” on their vehicle. Teens who complete driver education can reduce, from six to three months, their time with a learner’s permit. But though the rate of crashes fell 16%, crash rates rose 27% among teens who needed learner’s permits for only three months because they’d taken driver’s education.

Can you guess which country has the most cars per capita in the world? Here are your choices:
1. United States
2. Austria
3. Italy
4. Cyprus
From the choices below, which country has the fewest cars per capita?
1. India
2. China
3. Greece
4. Kuwait

Answers:
Cyprus – 753 cars per 1000 people
India – 18 cars per 1000 people

http://www.rediff.com/business/slide-show/slide-show-1-auto-nations-with-most-number-of-cars-per-1000-people/20110909.htm

Click here to see photos of the tomato wars this year.

Have a favorite international beach that’s not listed here? Tell us on our Facebook Page.

1. The Baths, British Virgin Islands
Virgin Gorda is a popular tourist spot of the British Virgin Islands, and probably most famous for the Baths, a unique national park which consists of pristine white beaches framed by giant granite boulders. If you want to avoid the crowds, Devil’s Bay Beach and Spring Bay Beach are easily accessible from the Baths through winding trails.

2. Punaluu Beach, Hawaii
There are many black sand beaches around the world, but the beach in Punaluu, Hawaii is truly breathtaking. The sand granules were formed from molten lava from the active Mauna Loa and Kilauea volcanoes. Between its especially dark sand, green palms and lazy blue waves, it is a great place to picnic or simply kick back and admire the scenery.

3. Culebra Island, Puerto Rico
For a great beach that also holds historical significance, look no further than Culebra Island. This old pirate hideout is loaded with undisturbed treasures and has few crowds. It was declared one of America’s first wildlife refuges in 1909 by Theodore Roosevelt, and also visited by Christopher Colombus on his second voyage.

4. Datai Beach, Malaysia
If you are in an adventurous mood, try Datai Beach in Langkawi, Malaysia. This island contains beautiful beaches and lush tropical forests. Visit the Langkawi Crocodile Farm at Datai Bay, and if you’re not on a budget, there are luxurious resorts and countless opportunities for snorkeling and other water activities.

5. Hot Water Beach, New Zealand

At Hot Water Beach, visitors have the opportunity to create their own personal hot springs in the sand. Between the high and low tidal water reaches, underground hot springs filter up through the sand and can be accessed by digging into the ground. This water can reach temperatures of up to 147 degrees Fahrenheit and is perfect to soak and relax in.

-The country is more than 3000 years old and one of the few countries that has never been colonized.

-It is a Christian country and the national language is Amharic.

-There are 364 characters in the Amharic alphabet.

-The biggest festival is the Tinket Ceremony, which is a religious ceremony. It lasts three days with lots of singing and dancing.

-There is a lot of beautiful jewelry and many times you can identify a person’s region by their jewelry.

-Family’s eat together at mealtime from one dish.