domingo, 31 de outubro de 2010

HALLOWEEN

Halloween Traditions & Customs
Bonfires
In northern Ireland, it was customary for Druids to perform ritualistic ceremonies and make sacrifices to pacify their gods. The Celts would bring wood and start their Samhain bonfire or, fire festival, on the hilltop. Often, they would throw the bones of slaughtered cattle into the flames.
The word "bonfire" is said to be derived from such "bone fires."  Bonfires and sacrifices guaranteed that the sun would burn brightly after a long, dreary winter. It's common to witness hundreds of traditional bonfires in Ireland every year on Halloween Night.

Costumes
Halloween costumes originated from the Celts when they lit huge bonfires and celebrated Samhain by dressing up in elaborate animal skins and heads to disguise themselves as spirits and demons so that the real ones couldn't distinguish them as being human. Their ceremonies consisted of dancing, telling stories, and reading fortunes.
Jack 'O Lanterns
The traditions of carving jack 'o lanterns originates with the Celts. A miserable man named Jack, tricked the devil. Unable to enter heaven or hell after his death, he was destined to roam the earth listlessly. Jack placed a piece of coal into a carved-out turnip and used it as a lantern to keep the evil spirits away. Today, pumpkins (which are easier to cut) are carved into jack-o-lanterns, lit and placed outside of doorways for the same purpose.

Trick or Treating
The custom of trick or treating evolved in Ireland, centuries ago. In preparation for All Hollow's Eve, the poor would call upon the rich folks and request money, gifts and food. The food was gathered for a huge feast and celebration.




London is the capital city of the United Kingdom and one of the most famous cities in the world.
Let's walk around...
 
London is the capital of England and the United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom.
London is a leading global city, with its strengths in the arts, commerce, education, entertainment, fashion, finance, healthcare, media, professional services, research and development, tourism and transport all contributing to its prominence. It is the world's largest financial centre alongside New York and it is the most visited city in the world.  London's five international airports make its airspace the busiest of any urban centre worldwide In 2012 London will become the first city to host the Summer Olympics three times.
London has a diverse range of peoples, cultures and religions, and more than 300 languages are spoken within its boundaries. In July 2007 it had an official population of 7,556,900 within the boundaries of Greater London.
London contains four World Heritage Sites: the Tower of London; the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; the site comprising the Palace of Westminster, Westminster Abbey and St. Margaret's Church; and the historic settlement of Greenwich (in which the Royal Observatory marks the Greenwich Meridian (0° longitude) and GMT). Other famous landmarks include Buckingham Palace, the Lloyd's building, the London Eye, Nelson's Column, Piccadilly Circus, St Paul's Cathedral and Tower Bridge. London is home to numerous museums, galleries, libraries and other cultural institutions including the British Library, British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern and the Victoria and Albert Museum. London's Chinatown is the largest in Europe. The London Underground network is the oldest underground railway network in the world and the most extensive after the Shanghai Metro.

quinta-feira, 21 de outubro de 2010

INTRODUCING THE PRESENT PERFECT

BONFIRE NIGHT/ GUY FAWKES NIGHT

BONFIRE NIGHT/ GUY FAWKES NIGHT
5th November

Gunpowder, Treason and Plot

Bonfire Night or Guy Fawkes Night is celebrated throughout the UK and some British colonies on 5th November. It marks the downfall of the Gunpowder Plot of 5th November 1605 in which Catholic conspirators including Guy Fawkes were alleged to be plotting to blow up the Houses of Parliament to unseat the government of the day. Today celebrations include fireworks and the building of bonfires, often topped with a "guy" traditonally made by children and burnt. Before the night children often go  door to door around the neighbourhood requesting "a penny for the guy". 

Bonfires and Fireworks

Naturally the central feature of any Bonfire Night celebrations is likely to be a bonfire and associated fireworks. If a pub has a large external area one might be lucky enough to host a bonfire and organised firework display - alternatively one may be able to cater for customers returning from an organised display nearby.

Bonfire Night Food

No traditional Bonfire Night would be complete without the obligatory pork pie and mushy peas, or jacket potatoes. Also toffee apples and cinder toffee are traditional treats. Most customers will be only too happy to pay a little extra for some traditional Guy Fawkes Night fare while standing in the cold watching the fireworks display and bonfire.

domingo, 17 de outubro de 2010

Hoje...

Hoje...

Às 17h47 nasceu o blogue Around the world...
Após os primeiros testes, tudo aponta para que tenha uma longa vida.
A "mãe" permite desde já que seja visitado...
Não tenham problemas, podem comunicar em Português, Inglês ou qualquer outra língua. Afinal estamos no reino de Around the world...

Até já...