Off-Track Backpacking » traditions

Kyoto, the city of culture!

naradb — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 06:41:24 +0000

City of Nara

One country I have always had on the top of my travel list is Japan. Every since I was small I have always wanted to backpack Japan, however it is so expensive to travel in Japan that I have put it off for so long. Another reason is because my name, Nara is actually a city in Japan. It is no ordinary city either. It is the oldest city in Japan and has been one of the touristy cities to see in Japan. It is only 40 minutes away from another must see city. A city that has lately been taking on the major tourist role is Kyoto. Kyoto is a city that is 100 percent filled with traditions, history, and amazing culture. A few places to see in Kyoto include the Tofukuji Temple. Forget the busy life and reality and merge your inner self with life’s goodness. Another words this is perfect place to find a spot of meditative contemplation of the epic Buddha paintings and it’s famous maple trees. The next place you will want to visit is the Art Center in Kyoto. It is said that young Asian artists are the new taste of art in Kyoto. So a taste of the 21-century with the combination of the true traditional art is now the new edgy, creative design.
Japan is also famous for it gardens, so you need to check out Ryoanji. It is the home of the Japanese rock garden. There is a saying that there are 13 stones arranged is such a way that one can never see all of them at once. Plus this is also a great meditative place, so Ryoanji you will not want to miss.
On the west side of the city at the end of Nijo Avenue there is an ancient castle called Nijojo. You should take a peek inside and see how the emperors use to live. As far as castles go, there is also a palace that is a replica of Beijing’s Forbidden city. It is called Himeji. It is a few hours away from the city but keep in mind it is a world heritage site. This graceful castle is one the most popular sites to see by all Japanese tourists. Many Japanese tourists will pause to donate a few coins and say a prayer that ends with a swift of 3 claps. So if you want to see a little more than history, I would take a little trip over to this castle.
As far a entertainment and nightlife goes, take a walk over to Kyoto’s Pontocho Alley. It is located on the other side of the Kamo River and this alley becomes alive in the evenings. Many restaurants and bars are in line of this narrow lane and after dark it becomes Kyoto’s central destination for eating, socializing, and over all ending your day with a little bit of music. So for all those backpackers who will beat me to see this wonderful city, I say Pontocho alley is a great way to end the day. So who wouldn’t want to see this city?!! Plus if you go, you also must hit up the city of Nara!!

Sugar Shack, Cabane à Sucre

Tanya — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 08:00:35 +0000

As winter is almost coming to an end; snow is melting, milder weather and lots of sun, it only means one thing for us Quebecois- Sugar Shack or Cabane à Sucre!

If you traveled to the Northeast in the spring and didn’t visit a Sugar Shack- shame on you! As the leading region for Maple Syrup, spring is the time of the year where the Maples trees in Quebec slowly begin to unfreeze. This means that the the sap of the tree is ready to be used to produce maple syrup. So how’s it made anyway? Warm days and freezing nights are the perfect combination in order for the sap to start flowing. Trees are tapped and once the sap is ready, buckets are placed on the trees to collect the leaking sap. It takes about 40 liters of sap to be boiled down to 1 liter of maple syrup.

So you’re probably wondering what we do at the Sugar Shack anyway? The answer is simple. Eat, more eating, and EAT some more! Traditional dishes include eggs with maple syrup, baked beans, pea soup, maple cured ham, fried strips of salty pork (best known as oreille de crisse) and maple sweetened dessert- anything from sugar pies to crepes. The best part of it all however is the part where you eat the maple syrup straight off the now. Warm maple syrup is spread on a thin layer of clean snow. Then you wait for the syrup to be hardened- about one minute. Once the syrup is hard, you take a popsicle stick and roll the maple syrup around the stick. One word: DELICIOUS!

New Years Eve Traditions Around the World

naradb — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 09:04:19 +0000

Happy New Years Eve Everybody!!!!

New Years Eve night is filled with traditions and celebrations, but around the world those traditions are very much different. Every country celebrates new years in a unique way and below are just a few great traditions I found interesting.

Cities such as Sao Paulo and La Paz have a tradition such as putting on brightly coloured underpants on. The residents do this in hoping for a successful year ahead. But you must be specific in what colour you wear since they all mean very different. So this New Years Eve will you be wearing bright underpants?

In Spain once the New Year hits the Spaniards start eating 12 grapes. They eat as many as they can once the clock starts ticking. I would say isn’t a healthy way to start the New Year?

In the Philippines traditions and celebrations are very much circular. Round shapes are displayed in resident’s homes to indicate the meaning of never ending. They focus on things such as round fruits and they wear clothes that reveal shapes such as polka dots.

In Denmark alcohol is taken to amount of plentiful. Once the alcohol hits the Danish, they start jumping on benches, tables, and chairs at midnight hoping to get rid of all those bad spirits.

In Ireland the customs are focused towards people throwing loafs of bread at the side of a house while speaking a prayer about a hunger-free year. Just like Christmas Eve in North America they gather for a large filling meal with the entire family for New Years Eve.

Many Italians feast off desserts all night which is from the tradition of St. Sylvester. Sweats such as apricots, plums and biscotti are eaten from 9pm to midnight, each sweet is significant for each of the months that gear up for the new year night.

Greece many families share and eat St Basil’s bread. Everyone eats this deep, sweet, baked dough, but who ever receives the piece with a coin in it is assured that luck is in the agenda for their upcoming year.

For us in Canada or the US we just party, with fireworks, lots of alcohol and really we just personally do our own wacky celebrations with many different traditions tide in.

The Red Rock…

naradb — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 09:25:49 +0000

Every since I knew about this rock, years ago, I have been fascinated about it. Everyone who I knew always told me, “ Nara it’s just a rock!” and I use to say “ya, but it’s a red rock.” I now laugh, but really I still want to explore this rock! Many backpackers who I knew visited this wonder of the world and told me, Nara you are right!! Amazing site to see!!!

So if you have no idea what I am talking about it, check it out. This rock has much history behind it, but within the last few years many people want to keep that history restored.

The Ayers Rock, which is also known as the Uluru, by it’s Aboriginal name, is now begin considered to be closed to all climbers. As it said in the national geographic in late October this year, “ Giant Rock to be closed for Religious Reason?” Now, if you are an obsessive backpacker like me, who wants to visit all the wonders of the world, well I say better hurry to see this one!!! So why I am eager to see this ROCK, well depending on the time of day and the weather, this rock changes colour!!!!! Oh yes, it turns colour from a bright red to violet and to even blue! This rock has a vast amount of culture, which is very significant to the locals. Plus this landmark represents dreams, traditions, existences, stories, and defines daily life to Australians, which makes it even more intriguing in why to visit this wonder of the world.

For backpackers, it can be quite difficult to get to this site, since it is located in the middle of Australia. The most common way to reach this site is by car. There are many versatile ways in getting around the Uluru roads that lead to the rock. However, since it is in the outback and road conditions can be a little awful at times and a tour guide or going with a bunch of other backpackers maybe the best option to take. But the closest city near Ayers Rock, to stay a night or two is Alice Springs. It’s a very small place, but if you want to see the sunrise and sunset on the rock, I say catch a sleep or two in this village. Plus meeting locals and hearing the history and traditions about this rock is so worth the trip! So can you see now, why I really want to explore this wonder of the world!?