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24

Dec

Memorable Moments: Holiday Happenings

by Your friends at OIC on December 24, 2018

Gift box

Our gift to you. © Kemal Bas/iStock

As you enjoy your own holiday celebrations, we’d like to share with you this look back at traditions and treats from around the world.

 

The Season Sparkle of Cultural Differences

Whether you’re celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, or Epiphany. Whether you’re commemorating Père Noêl, Santa Claus, Saint Nicholas, the Three Wisemen, Sinterklaas, Befana, or the miracle of light. ‘Tis the season to be festive. Go to the post.

 

 

Ten Christmas Traditions Stuffed in Stockings ‘n Shoes

Though the concept of giving is common across cultures, timing and traditions differ. Take a look at how variations of holiday stocking and shoe traditions abound worldwide. Go to the post.

 

And let’s not forget the desserts!

Happy Holidays from OIC Moments

 

For more interesting takes on holidays and celebrations, check out our category archive for Cultural Heritage & Traditions. And to find a new “Oh, I see!” moment every week in your inbox, take this opportunity to subscribe.

Comment on this post below, or inspire insight with your own OIC Moment here.

 

Cultural Heritage & Traditions/Worldwide Sites

17

Dec

Holiday Foods Around the World

by Meredith Mullins on December 17, 2018

Christmas Pudding, showing the cultural traditions of holiday food around the world. (Image © Bruce Goldstone/iStock.)

‘Tis the season
© iStock

‘Tis the Season for Cultural Traditions

The holiday season is here, and thoughts turn to twinkling lights, frenetic shopping, food traditions, celebrations with family and friends, decorated trees, wreaths and menorahs, holiday songs, festive food, stockings hung by the chimney with care, animated store windows, seasonal food treats, red-nosed reindeer, roasted chestnuts, peace on earth, and . . . did I mention food?

There are many cultural traditions associated with the holidays around the world, and, in many cases, holiday food traditions play a major role. From roasted turkey to mince pies to babka and bibingka, every country is different.

OIC Moments takes you on a whirlwind tour of some of the most interesting customs.

Roasted chestnuts, showing cultural traditions of the holidays and holiday foods around the world. (Image © Meredith Mullins.)

A holiday sign: roasted chestnuts
© Meredith Mullins

Iceland: Naughty or Nice

Christmas is called Jól in Iceland. Let’s start with customs that separate the “naughties” from the “nices.”

In Iceland, if you’ve been naughty, you get a rotten potato in your shoe, delivered by one of the Yule Lads—magical people who climb through windows to leave a treat or a potato. The Yule Lads have names like Pot Licker, Door Slammer, Sausage Snatcher, and Window Peeper.

It’s true that potatoes are a healthy food item, but finding one in your shoe isn’t exactly the kind of Christmas food tradition you might be wishing for. The potatoes could, however, go well with the roast lamb of the Icelandic Christmas dinner.

Shoes with potatoes showing an Iceland cultural traditions for Christmas and holiday food around the world. (Image © Meredith Mullins.)

Not another potato year!
© Meredith Mullins

Japan: Nothing like a Bucket of KFC Fried Chicken

In Japan, Christmas is known more as a time to spread happiness than a religious celebration. Japanese Christmas was in search of a tradition when Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) swooped in with the idea of a Christmas chicken bucket.

The idea has been popular since the 1970s, and now Japanese families have to reserve months in advance, just to be sure the festive red and white bucket will be on the menu. The Christmas bucket also includes a Christmas cake (celebrated by the shortcake emoji). 🍰🍰🍰

Bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken, showing the cultural traditions of Japan at Christmas and holiday food around the world. (Image © Meredith Mullins.)

Who would have thought that KFC would become a Japanese cultural tradition?
© Meredith Mullins

Israel: Hanukkah Latkes

Since the middle ages, these delicious fried potato pancakes have been a tradition for Hanukkah (the Festival of Lights). The fact that they’re cooked in oil recognizes the miracle of the Temple of Jerusulam Menorah burning for eight days with only a one-day supply of oil.

Plate of latkes, showing cultural traditions of the holiday season and holiday food around the world. (Image © Meredith Mullins.)

Yum . . . Latkes. Good at any time of year, but especially at Hanukkah.
© Meredith Mullins

Italy: The Feast of the Seven Fishes

The Feast of the Seven Fishes for the Christmas Eve meal doesn’t necessarily mean to go and buy seven fishes.

The more popular interpretation is to prepare seven different fish dishes, as a tribute to the seven sacraments in Catholicism or the seven days of creation. Common fish dishes are baccala (salted cod), eel, clams, sardines, or calamari.

When people return from Mass, they might have a slice of Italian Christmas Cake called panettone and a cup of hot chocolate.

Seven fish, showing the cultural traditions of Italy for Christmas and holiday food around the world. (Image © Meredith Mullins.)

The Feast of the Seven Fishes
© Meredith Mullins

Mexico and Central America: Tamales

Every family has their own “secret” recipe for holiday tamales. The basics include corn dough, wrapped in a banana leaf or corn husk and then steamed. A tamale can be stuffed with beef, chicken, or pork, along with garlic, onion, potatoes, or raisins.

Tamales are shared throughout the holiday season (December 12 through January 6) and are included in the main Christmas meal on December 24. This meal also includes pozole (a thick soup with hominy, chicken or pork, and chilies) and roast turkey or pork.

Plate of two tamales, showing the cultural traditions of Mexico for Christmas and holiday food around the world. (Image © Roberta J. Cobley.)

Tamales forever
© Roberta J. Cobley

France: Bûche de Noël

In France, where gastronomy is an art form, several holiday traditions are present. Stands of fresh oysters appear, and fois gras takes center stage.

However, the sponge cake that looks like a Yule Log is a key focus. In earlier times, families had a Christmas log, which they sprinkled with wine, and then burned on Christmas Eve (often thought to cleanse the air of the previous year’s events).

Now, cake enters the picture. The Bûche de Noël is a French mainstay, especially after Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve.

Chocolate yule log cake or Buche de Noel, showing cultural traditions for Christmas and holiday food around the world. (Image © etorres69/iStock.)

Bûche de Noël
© etorres69/iStock

Philippines: A Bibingka Breakfast

The holiday season in the Phillippines is one of the longest, often beginning with Christmas carols starting in September and festivities lasting into January’s Epiphany.

Noche Buena (the name for Christmas dinner) is celebrated after families attend the Mass of the Rooster. The feasting day begins with Bibingka, a traditional breakfast pastry consisting of coconut milk and rice flour, baked in a pot lined with banana leaves. Bibingka is topped with coconut, white cheese, or egg.

The feast continues into the day with roasted pig, spring rolls, ham, noodles, rice, and fresh fruit.

Philippine Bibingka, showing the cultural traditions of Christmas and holiday food around the world. (Image © bugking88/iStock.)

Bibingka from the Philippines
© bugking88/iStock

Romania: Cabbage Rolls

The Romanian holiday dish Sarmale dates back to the Ottoman Empire. The cabbage rolls are stuffed with beef, pork, onion, and rice and then boiled in tomato sauce.

For the Christmas dinner, Sarmale are served with roast pork chops, ciorba de perisoare (a slightly sour vegetable soup with pork meatballs), and cozonac (a rich fruit bread).

Stuffed cabbage rolls with rice and meat (sarmale), showing cultural traditions of Christmas in Romania and holiday food around the world. (Image © vkuslandia/iStock.)

Romanian Sarmale
© vkuslandia/iStock

England: Mince Pie

The Christmas meal in England is eaten at lunch or early afternoon on Christmas Day—roast turkey, roast beef, or Christmas goose is the main feature, with all the trimmings.

Dessert is Christmas pudding or mince pies. The exact ingredients of mince pie can vary, but the tradition in England dates back to the 13thcentury. The pies contain dried fruit, suet, and spices like cinnamon and nutmeg . . . plus a touch of rum or brandy.

Mince meat pies, showing the cultural traditions of Christmas in England and holiday food around the world. (Image © Meredith Mullins.)

A British favorite: mince pies
© Meredith Mullins

Poland: Babka

Christmas Eve (known as Wigilia) is traditionally a day of fasting in Poland. The main Christmas meal is eaten in the evening after the first star is seen in the sky. Many families set an extra place for a lone wanderer who might happen to pass through during dinner.

The day-long fast is often ended by “breaking bread”—specifically babka, a sweet and spongy yeast bread. Babka is eaten throughout all holiday seasons in Poland.

Chocolate Babka, showing the cultural traditions of Christmas in Poland and holiday food around the world. (Image © A. Lein/iStock.)

Breaking the fast with Babka
© A.Lein/iStock

China: An Apple A Day …

Christmas is not a major celebration day in China, but people do like to give the gift of a cellophane-wrapped apple.

The odd tradition started perhaps because, in Mandarin Chinese, the word for apple (ping’anguo) sounds like the words for Christmas Eve, or “peaceful night” (ping’an ye).

As this tradition grows, the apple packaging gets more creative, with heart-shaped boxes or tins that also include chocolates and flowers, much like a Valentine’s Day celebration.

A cellophane wrapped apple, showing the cultural traditions of China for Christmas and holiday food around the world. (Image © Meredith Mullins.)

An apple gift for a peaceful night
© Meredith Mullins

Oh I See: Let’s Celebrate the Holidays (and Food!) in Many Different Ways

No matter what the cultural traditions of your country—or whatever country you’re spending the holidays in—the spirit rests in sharing moments with family and friends. And, of course, celebrating good holiday food.

Happy Holidays!

Comment on this post below, or inspire insight with your own OIC Moment here.

 

Cultural Heritage & Traditions/Worldwide Sites

12

Dec

Two Travelers, One Journey

by Joyce McGreevy on December 12, 2018

A woman gazing at Christmas decorations in Galway, Ireland embodies the joy of winter wanderlust. (Image @ Joyce McGreevy)

The sight of another’s wonder sharpens our own observations.
© Joyce McGreevy

Winter Wanderlust
Sends Siblings Packing

With wanderlust comes surprise—the weather is spectacularly sunny. Can this really be Ireland in winter? The air is crisp as a Kerry Pippin apple, but sunlight warms the flagstones of Galway’s pedestrian-only streets.

As sunlight washes over my sister and me, so does a fresh wave of surprise. It’s the ebb and flow of discovery so many travelers experience: Are we really here? We really are!

The Long Walk on a sunny winter day in Galway, Ireland shows why wanderlust inspires holiday travel. (Image © Carolyn McGreevy)

A daytime glimmer of moon hovers over 18th-century houses along Galway’s Long Walk.
© Carolyn McGreevy

Long Distance Calls

Coincidence inspired this surprise holiday travel:

  • One day, old friends from Galway dropped by Carolyn’s home in Oregon. It was a welcome surprise, but all too brief.
  • That same day in California, I was working at my laptop when up popped a travel post from an American friend—who was visiting Galway.
  • Moments later, an email from an Irish friend invited me to a special event—in Galway.
A floral mural on an apothecary in Galway, Ireland reflects the beauty that inspires wanderlust. (Image © Carolyn McGreevy)

When travelers look closely,  moments flower and memories take root.
© Carolyn McGreevy

Like our younger sisters, Carolyn and I once lived in Ireland and we maintain strong ties there. Regular readers of OIC Moments may recall that Galway is my home-from-hometown.

Now my sis and I were feeling home-from-homesick. We got on the phone, as if reminiscing would get it out of our systems.

It didn’t.

Buttermilk Lane in Galway, Ireland reflects the charm that inspires wanderlust. (Image © Carolyn McGreevy)

How “storied” are Galway’s streets? Many, including the lane shown here,
have been celebrated in paintings, plays, short stories, and song,
© Carolyn McGreevy

Common Sense Is Overrated

Ah, but I was buried in work. Carolyn had her own “to do” list, plus grandkids and a geriatric cat. And what about the budget yada-yada, maybe next year, you can’t do it all, etc. Such were the sensible thoughts assailing my deadline-addled brain.

I asked my sister when she’d last visited Ireland.

“1980.”

“But that’s—that’s –” (Math was never my strong suit.)

“Thirty-eight years.”

Seems she’d been busy. Something about raising several children while holding down a job in the medical field.

Ten minutes later, I’d filled out her passport application.

A sign painter and photographer at the Crane Bar, Galway reflect the friendliness that inspires wanderlust for Ireland. (Image © Carolyn McGreevy)

High-tech skills and artisan trades flourish side-by-side in Ireland.
Above, a traditional sign painter chats with a digital photographer.
© Carolyn McGreevy

Hare, There, and Everywhere

“Why is there a rabbit looking through binoculars up there?” my sister asks as we pass Tigh Neachtain.

“A what doing what?” I sagely reply.

Tigh Neachtain is a popular Galway pub. As a collegian, I’d spent more time looking at that pub from the inside than the outside. I’d never noticed the giant metal sculpture affixed to the roof.  

A sculpture of a hare in Galway reflects the whimsy that inspires wanderlust for Ireland. (Image © Carolyn McGreevy)

Until 1894 Tigh Neachtain was home to animal-rights advocate Richard Martin.
Could that explain the watchful hare?
© Carolyn McGreevy

Later we consult Conall, an avid history buff who has lived in Galway all his life. I feel inanely vindicated when Conall says, “What giant rabbit?” 

Observing the Observer

But my sister is registering every detail, from the speed of the River Corrib’s galloping waves to the faintest of medieval epitaphs in St.Nicholas churchyard.

When we walk into town, I pause when she pauses to notice what she notices: the million little details I took for granted in the days when I lived there.

The heckling of seagulls and the dignity of the swans. The fragrance of peat fires wafting from rowhouses in the Claddagh, some that date back to when Claddagh was a fishing village. Now those rowhouses have satellite dishes.

Oh, I see: When you see a familiar place from another person’s perspective, you discover it anew.

A view of Galway reflects the historical interest that inspires winter wanderlust for Ireland. (Image © Carolyn McGreevy)

A view from the Galway Museum spans five centuries of architecture.
© Carolyn McGreevy

Sense, You’ve Been Gone

Have you ever felt that your senses were in need of a tune-up? Then travel to Galway for the holidays. Even if you have to bargain for a middle seat in the Crying-Baby and Loud-Snorers section.

Because in Galway, the holiday period isn’t a deadline. It’s an immersive seasonal experience, something to be savored like a properly brewed pot of tea.  

A tea shop window in Galway, Ireland reflects the holiday charm that inspires winter wanderlust. (Image © Carolyn McGreevy)

Season’s greetings call for seasonal savoring at Cupán Tae.
© Carolyn McGreevy

A tea shop in Galway, Ireland reflects the vibrant design that inspires winter wanderlust. (Image © Carolyn McGreevy)

By Irish tradition, tea should be brewed until it’s “strong enough to trot a mouse across.”
© Carolyn McGreevy

Winter Wander Lands

The night we arrive, the city is bejeweled and illuminated. Deck the halls? Why, they’ve decked every lintel and laneway. From Eyre Square to the Spanish Arch, holiday markets bustle, there’s live music at every corner, and the sheer pleasure of strolling is not to be missed.

A world-renowned center of theater, Galway becomes one big stage set for the holidays.
© Carolyn McGreevy

Galway’s Continental Christmas Market runs mid-November to late December.
© Carolyn McGreevy

O’Connor’s Famous Pub in Galway reflects the whimsy that inspires wanderlust for Ireland. (Image © Carolyn McGreevy)

O’Connor’s Famous Pub takes a playful approach to old-school images of Ireland.
© Carolyn McGreevy

The fireside at O’Connor’s Famous Pub in Galway reflects the humor and hospitality that inspire holiday travel to Ireland. (Image © Joyce McGreevy)

“So hang your stockings and”—oh my!
© Joyce McGreevy

The Joy of Irish Cooking

Galway’s famous creativity extends to its outstanding culinary scene.  During the holidays, when shops are busy, Galway’s food purveyors are busier still. Galwegians place a high premium on getting together for a cuppa, a cozy meal, and a good long chat.

My sister’s advice is:

  1. Abandon any stereotypes about Irish cookery.
  2. Prepare to be wowed by the breadth of choices.
  3. Pack an extra suitcase. Preferably one the size of a walk-in pantry.
An array of gourmet foods at McCambridge’s in Galway reflects the culinary sophistication that inspires wanderlust for Ireland. (Image © Carolyn McGreevy)

Irish diners’ tastes in food are far more diverse than persistent stereotypes suggest.
Location: McCambridge’s of Galway.
© Carolyn McGreevy

Sisterly Advice

Carolyn also advises flying to your destination via its national airline. “Flying Aer Lingus made me feel like we were in Ireland from the moment we boarded.”

A rainbow above Aer Lingus jets at Dublin International Airport inspires wanderlust for a return visit to Ireland. (Image © Carolyn McGreevy)

As other passengers watch their phones, Carolyn captures a fitting farewell.
© Carolyn McGreevy

Here’s what I’ve learned: Common sense can keep you “on task,” but winter wanderlust can do wonders for your senses. Flexibility can make “surprise holiday travel” surprisingly do-able.

And as for traveling with your sister? Well, that can inspire sibling revelry.

Two sisters, Joyce McGreevy and Carolyn McGreevy, agree that the holidays inspire wanderlust for Galway, Ireland. (Image © Joyce McGreevy/Carolyn McGreevy)

Two photogs trade views. My sister Carolyn is at right.  Locations: Kai Café (L)
and The Kitchen Café at Galway Museum.
© Carolyn McGreevy/Joyce McGreevy

Comment on the post below, or inspire insight with your own OIC Moment here

 

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