I Fly Nonstop » holiday

Friday Fun Facts: Holiday Beast

Jamie Kerr — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 19:57:30 +0000

Happy Friday! Every Friday, we will present you with a trivia question in our newest blog feature, Friday Fun Facts. To answer the question, post a comment below.

Friday Fun Fact: Holiday Beast

On the 5th of December in the Alpine/Germanic countries of Europe, people dress up in frightening costumes of this holiday beast and tear through the streets warning bad children that St. Nicholas will not reward them with presents. What is the name of this mythical monster?

Extra Clues:

This is a European version of giving coal to bad children on Christmas.
Don’t worry…while these beasts look scary, it’s all in good fun!
This beast usually accompanies St. Nicholas in his rounds around town in the 1st two weeks of December.

Photo credit: Nat Friedman on Flickr

Shogatsu: Japanese New Year

Jamie Kerr — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 23:26:59 +0000

For many of us, New Year’s Eve conjures up images of fireworks, late-night celebrations, champagne flutes and glittering confetti. Across the pond in Tokyo, the Japanese celebrate the new year in a much different way. New Years has been called the most important Japanese holiday of all, and festivities are always over the top on this night. Here are three things that will make New Year’s Eve in Japan one to remember.

Bonenkai Parties

These social gatherings are specifically designed to ‘forget the year’ and start fresh for the new year to come. A good bonenkai party will have plenty of food, drink and karaoke. If you’re in December in Tokyo, read up on the best places for bonenkai food and drink specials to make sure your night is one to remember…or forget?

Japanese New Years Cuisine

Several special dishes are served on New Year’s Eve in Japan. New Years is a time of feasting, and elaborate and delicious spreads are laid out before families ready to enjoy a meal together during this time. Dishes served often include soup with mochi, toshikoshi soba (buckweat noodles) and sweetened rice wine.

Japanese New Years Games

In Japan, New Years is the time to let the games begin! Badminton, flying kites and a card game called karuta are only a few of the popular activities that take place during New Years in Japan.

Are you headed to Japan this winter? Let us know and we’ll help you prepare for a vacation you won’t forget!

Photo credit: IMG_0797, tomer.gabel; Japanese New Year Cuisine, h_okumura; Kit flying scenes, mikebaird.

toshikoshi soba

‘Tis the Season in Holland

Jamie Kerr — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 18:19:09 +0000

Bundle up, folks! Grab your coats, hats and scarves because it’s wintertime in Holland. Grab some chocolademelk (Dutch hot chocolate) and warm poffertjes and enjoy these postcard perfect photos of winter in Holland. ‘Tis the season! How will you be celebrating the holidays this year?

Nonstop Delta flights from PDX to Amsterdam can take you here in no time this winter.

Photo credits: Canals in Amsterdam, Michele Benericetti; Windmills in the Snow (HDR), Vincent van der Pas; In Grouw, fihu.

Glühwein: A Holiday Favorite

Jamie Kerr — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 19:00:53 +0000

It’s that time of year in Portland. The temperatures are dropping, leaves are falling and the first glimmer of holiday lights are shining throughout Downtown Portland. Even though we haven’t hit Thanksgiving yet, there is no reason why you can’t bring the holiday cheer into your home early. In Europe, Christmas markets are in full swing as people begin Christmas shopping and enjoying delicious warm treats like steaming, stuffed baked potatoes, warm apricot Krapfens (doughnuts), and the star of the show, Glühwein.

Glühwein is spiced, mulled wine that is served around the holidays. Glühwein is most popular in German speaking nations, but is often served all across Europe in various forms and cultural adaptations. It is a Christmas market staple, and often times hot Glühwein comes with a keepsake mug from the market stands. Glühwein is easy to make and will brighten up any home with a bit of European holiday cheer. It goes great with pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving, too!

Ingredients:

3/4 cup water
3/4 cup white sugar
1 cinnamon stick
1 orange
10 whole cloves
1 bottle red wine

Directions

In a saucepan, combine the water, sugar, and cinnamon stick. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer.
Cut the orange in half, and squeeze the juice into the simmering water. Push the cloves into the outside of the orange peel, and place peel in the simmering water. Continue simmering for 30 minutes, until thick and syrupy.
Pour in the wine, and heat until steaming but not simmering. Remove the clove-studded orange halves. Serve hot in mugs or glasses that have been preheated in warm water.

Bring Glühwein to a holiday party or enjoy a cup by the fireplace at home. This holiday drink will surely get you in the spirit. Enjoy!

Photo credits: Gluhwein, Bert Heymans; Das Gluhwein boots, currybet.

Sinterklaas (Holland)

Jamie Kerr — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 22:34:44 +0000

While St Nicholas, aka Sinterklaas, is directing his Black Peter helpers down chimneys on the eve of his feast day (6 December), families celebrate by exchanging small gifts and poems. The tradition started when the Church decided to tame the riot and disorder that had always accompanied the end of the slaughter season. It began by ruling that the traditional celebration should be based around the birthday of St Nicholas, the patron saint of children (and, for that matter, of prostitutes, of thieves and of Amsterdam itself); a once-violent tradition was reborn as a Christian family feast. Sinterklaas eventually emigrated to the States, changed his name to Santa Claus and gave out presents on 25 December.

Ikegami Honmonji Temple O-Eshiki

Jamie Kerr — Sat, 28 May 2011 19:17:39 +0000

Marking St. Nichiren‘s death, this festival peaks on the eve of the October 12-13, 2011 with parades of lanterns joined by the sound of flutes & drums.

Photo Diary: Memorials

Jamie Kerr — Fri, 27 May 2011 18:34:49 +0000

Memorial Day is a time to remember fallen heroes who defended their country — a tradition that is not unique to the United States. In Amsterdam, residents gather to remember those lost in World War II on May 4 for Dodenherdenking. A day of mourning, Dodenherdenking is followed by a day-long celebration for Liberation Day or Bevrijdingsdag, when the Netherlands was liberated from Nazi rule.

Last year, Portland honored those who sacrificed their lives during war by decorating Tom McCall Waterfront Park with American flags. The city has a series of dedicated war memorials, such as the Korean War Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, and the Battleship Oregon Memorial.

Soldiers are not the only lost heroes whose lives deserve to be remembered. In Tokyo, children are remembered at the Zojoji Temple with jizo statues. The child statues are often decorated with knit caps, capes, and flowers, offered by mourning parents and relatives.

Photo credits: National Monument, Martin Palmer; Jizo statues, Deadly Tedly; Memorial Day USA 2010, Dr Butoni

Sumida River Fireworks Festival

Jamie Kerr — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 17:03:46 +0000

This is one of Japan’s most famous fireworks festivals. Enjoy the setting off of more than 22,000 fireworks.

Queen’s Day

Jamie Kerr — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 16:39:19 +0000

April 30 is the biggest holiday in Holland, celebrating the Queen’s birthday. Locally known as Koninginnedag, Queen’s Day is a country-wide celebration, filled with music, festivals, regional foods, and a variety of ongoing events. Celebrate with the Dutch this year, and learn more about this annual event.

Photo Diary: Christmas

Jamie Kerr — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 22:42:25 +0000

Inspired by Christmas, we chose photos of each city decorated for the holiday. What are your seasonal decorating traditions?