3 . Monkey Buffet Festival, Thailand

On the very last Sunday of November, if you find yourself in Lopburi, Thailand, you can attend this strange and wonderful festival. In an ancient temple, an impressive feast is held for the local macaque monkeys (猕猴). After the ceremony, the furry guests of honor begin to enter the temple. Sheets are then pulled from tables and towers which feature a bright and dazzling pile of fruits, vegetables, candies, and even ice cream! Just come to watch these precious animals feed on the food happily. Actually it sounds like a party to us too.

El Colacho, Spain

This strange festival actually dates all the way back to 1620. Babies that are under 1 year of age are all welcome to participate. These babies are laid out on mattresses (褥垫) in the middle of the procession (队伍) route. Men dressed as devils will then wait for the beat of a drum to signal they should begin. Holding whips, they make their way around the route, jumping over each mattress with the baby on it. Locals feel that the event will bring their children health, luck, and guard them against evil spirits.

Cheese Rolling Festival, England

When it was first started, locals of the English town of Brock worth, Gloucestershire would gather at Cooper’s Hill. Nowadays, this festival attracts competitors from all over the world every May. From the very top, a 3-4 kg wheel of cheese is sent rolling down the hill. Participants take off after it, trying to catch the speeding cheese wheel. If nobody manages to catch the rolling cheese, the first person to cross the finish line would be the winner. The prize is the wheel of cheese, of course. The trip after the cheese is so difficult that doctors wait at the bottom to provide first aid to unlucky participants in need.

4 . Canada is home to many diverse cultures and people from across the world.     1     because the government encourages everybody to be part of social, cultural, economic, and political affairs.

Black History Month

Every February, all Canadians are welcome to enjoy the festivities and celebrations of Black History Month.     2     and celebrates the achievements and contributions of individuals that have made an incredibly positive contribution to the economy and wealth of Canada. Since the 1950s, Canada has organized annual events and awareness campaigns to draw attention to the remarkable work of black Canadians in medicine, education, art, public service, politics, and human rights.

Asian Heritage Month

    3    , with events and activities taking place across the country. This is a time when Canadians from all walks of life enjoy the unique culture which has made Canada a country of kind-heartedness, variety, and wealth. Each year, a significant contribution is selected and 2015’s pick is Sportsmen and women that are of Asian origin.

The Holocaust

As a crime against humanity, the Holocaust is an event that will never be forgotten. Every year, Canada stands together with the rest of the world to pay tribute to the people who were affected by this tragedy.     4     — where more than one million people were sent to gas chambers and to their agonizing deaths during the Holocaust — was liberated and now, over 50 years later, the date is marked as a day of remembrance.

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Citizenship and Immigration Canada organizes the activities surrounding the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD). This is a United Nations convention that promotes universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction based on race, sex, language, or religion.

6 . A Dutch collector who says he bought the Zhang Gong Patriarch—an ancient Buddha statue(佛像)containing the mummified(木乃伊化的)remains of a famous monk—has been ordered to return the stolen relic to its original owners, two villages in Fujian province. The Fujian Provincial High People’s Court announced the order on Wednesday, upholding the original ruling(裁决)made by a lower court about two years ago.

In a ruling in late 2020, the Sanming Intermediate People’s Court demanded that Oscar van Overeem, the Dutch architect and collector who bought the statue, return it to Yangchun and Dongpu villages. For local villagers, the statue is a significant cultural relic that had been at the Puzhao Temple in Sanming, Fujian province, where they could honor and worship it before it was stolen in December 1995, according to the high court. The lawyer for Van Overeem did not comment or give a statement over the ruling.

After further investigation and trial, the high court said on Wednesday that although Van Overeem has said he bought the statue in Amsterdam in 1996, he could not provide a receipt. In March 2015, he allowed the statue to be exhibited at the Hungarian Natural HIistory Museum in Budapest, the high court said.

The high court upheld the lower court’s ruling that the statue was stolen and is an illegally exported cultural relic. The high court added the statue reflects the traditional customs of southern Fujian and has a special meaning for the villagers, and, therefore, should be returned. Lawyers from both sides were present when the ruling was announced on Tuesday. A number of legislators(立法者), political advisers and journalists were also on hand for the ruling.

Lin Kaian, a villager from Yangchun who was present at the court when the ruling was announced on Tuesday, said,“I’m glad to hear the high court ruled in favor of us demanding the return of the statue. We respect the ruling, and we hope the statue will be back with us as soon as possible.”

7 . Christmas is coming, and it is time to warm yourself and head out to see some festive lights. There are plenty of choices when it comes to following a light path as part of your Christmas celebrations.

Oxford Street

Oxford Street’s festive lights are a treat for the eyes this year. However you’ll have to pick your hours carefully as the lights—which we returned on at the start of November—are only on for eight hours a day this year, from 3-11 pm, in the wake of the rising energy costs the country is facing. It is expected this will reduce energy usage by up to two thirds compared to previous years, when the lights have been on for 24 hours through November and December.

Kew Garden

One of the most famous light paths of the season, Christmas at Kew offers a full-on festive experience with over 2 km of lights to walk through. Along the way you’ll have the chance to sample festive food and drink, and possibly even say hello to Santa himself.

Regent Street

Regent Street’s lights are on the theme of The Spirit Of Christmas this year, bringing golden angels to the shopping street. The lights, which cover Regent Street and the St James neighbourhoods, were turned on on November 9, and like the Oxford St lights are turned on between 3 and 11 pm.

Covent Garden

A visit to Covent Garden will certainly get you in the festive spirit this year, with the central London destination offering a whole lot of lights—from 11 am until midnight every day until January 3. Visitors can also enjoy daily snow showers as well as festive food treats and heated wine—with over 40 different varieties there.

8 . Culture often refers to things like food, holidays, clothing, and music, but it also goes much deeper than that.     1     So when we meet people from different backgrounds, we can sometimes find that there are big differences in how we see the world, even if we speak the same language.     

One of the best ways to understand others’ cultures is to first examine your own. Do you take your shoes off when you go inside?     2     In Japan, you would never go inside without swapping your outdoor shoes for slippers, whereas in the US, many people don’t bother taking their shoes off when they come in. Therefore, it’s so important to understand your place in the world, which will help you understand other people better too.

    3     When you meet people from a different culture, you can politely ask them about their lives. Seek out books or watch movies by and about people who’re different from you. Additionally, you can immerse (沉浸)yourself in a different culture through travel to understand how different other lifestyles can be.

However, sometimes, learning a lot about a different culture can lead you into a trap. You may think you know much about a culture, which may lead you to show off your knowledge when you meet someone from that background. But it’s a problem to assume that everyone from one particular culture has the same attitudes and experiences. Your assumptions that lead you to pre-judge against others can be harmful.     4    

Differences between us are what make life so interesting. So accept the differences between yourself and your friends from different cultures.     5     In detail, ask questions if your friends are open to it, but also learn how to just silently observe and appreciate the differences that make us unique.

9 . Why Experiencing a New Culture Is Good for You

Often the best way to really explore a new place and culture is by spending abundant time there. A quick vacation may give you a glimpse (瞥) into your destination.     1    . These opportunities provide a support network as you adjust to new surroundings.

Dealing with culture shock

Culture shock is a response to your new surroundings when abroad that can leave you confused, anxious and feeling lonely. It generally includes frustration at how even the simplest things can be different in the new culture. The thing is though, culture shock can be seen as a problem but also as an opportunity.     2    .

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Perhaps the most obvious lesson learned with travel is the importance of language. Even just learning the basics of the local language can make getting about and making new friends easier. Trying to overcome the language barrier also teaches you about non-verbal communication. Since you can’t rely on what is being said, you learn to adapt, to people’s tone and body language. This makes you a better communicator.

Finding inspiration

    4    . In each of these creative fields you may come across new approaches or elements that you bring home with you; maybe it’s a certain combination of ingredients that you add to your cooking or a new style you adopt for your own home’s design.

Meeting new people

Meeting people and making friends while overseas is both a necessity and one of the most enjoyable aspects of the experience.     5    , which enables you to meet people that you never would have known otherwise. You may be exposed to people from different walks of life, find a similar spirit, or both at the same time.

10 . Just as slang words, table manners, and other common customs vary greatly from nation to nation, so do rude gestures. The last thing you want to do when traveling to a new country is to offend (冒犯) the locals. Here are some hand motions you’ll want to be careful about making in certain countries.

Iran

What might seem to Americans like a universally positive gesture is not, in fact, universal. “Unfortunately, in Iran and neighboring countries, the thumbs-up is the same as the middle finger!” explains Dana Hooshmand, an author for Discover Discomfort. In America, the middle finger is the one showing disrespect; in Iran, it’s the thumb. So, bear it in mind to avoid making this sign to Iranians.

Malaysia

As a little kid, you may have been blamed that “it’s not respectful to point with your index finger!” especially if you dared pair the gesture with laughter. This is especially true in Malaysia. As a result, employees at Disney parks are trained to avoid doing this. Instead, if they must, they use two fingers   or, the common alternative is to point with your thumb (particularly the right thumb).

Thailand

In USA, patting someone’s head can be a sweet gesture, and messing someone’s hair is a playful one. But in Thailand, it can be a serious offense. The head “is considered the most sacred (神圣的) part of the body, ” she explains. So keep your hands away from others’ heads to avoid disrespecting.

Taiwan, China

According to the locals, pointing to the moon will offend the moon goddess. Her punishment for this is very specific: She’ll cut your ear of, or at the very least cut it in Van Gogh-style. So if you’re admiring a beautiful full moon in Taiwan, try your best to keep your hands by your sides.