Foods Around the World

As this is going to be the last post of the blog, I thought it'd be fun to post something related with food! Every country has its own unique flavor. Not only it's tasty, it also has an aroma which makes the mouth water long before it is consumed! Most of the foods do not have just one flavor, most of the times it is sweet, sour, spicy, salty and bitter (at times). Let's take a food ride, shall we?

Thai Food
Thai food is synonymous with hot and spicy. Cooked in similar fashion all through the country, Thai food has made its name across frontiers for its tangy taste. Asparagus, rice and various types of curries are main ingredients of Thai food. Cook a few authentic dishes and serve the guests and family Southeast Asia flavor.
Pad Thai- The Pad Thai dish is very popular which has originated from Thailand. It originally is a dish that is comprised stir-fried noodles combined with various other ingredients. Primarily, ingredients such as fish sauce, eggs, shrimp or chicken are used.

Spanish Food
Spain is known for its very diverse culture and this reflects in the Spanish food as well. Spanish food consists of a variety of mouth-watering food items, which lay emphasis on seafood. There are many typical dishes that form a part of Spanish cuisine. Potato dishes, food items that include beans, different types of stews and dishes that include bread are all a common feature out here. Spanish food also varies as per region.
Paella- Paella is one of the major dishes of the Spanish cuisine. It is a delicious rice dish made with vegetables, seafood or both. There are mainly three types of paella viz. Valencian paella, mixed paella and seafood paella.

Mexican Food
Mexican cuisine is popular the world over for its intense flavor and colorful presentation. Mexican food has a tangy flavor to it, which makes it impossible to resist! Traditional Mexican recipes such as tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas and barbacoa are consistently explored for options by some of the world's foremost gourmet chefs. Cinnamon, chile powder, epazote, oregano, cumin and cilantro are some of the widely used spices. 
Guacamole- Guacamole is a delicious dip that is thick in its consistency, served with tortilla chips. The basic recipe for preparing guacamole includes finely chopped tomatoes, onions, cilantro, lime juice and mashed avocado being the vital ingredient. The main ingredient avocado consists of potassium and is a rich source of Beta - sitosterol which serves to be an antioxidant, very rich in providing nutritional benefits.

German Food
German food is often caricatured as just being made up of sauerkraut, sausages and schnitzel, but German food is much more than just that. The cuisine in the north of the country is generally thought to be healthier with the emphasis being on fish from the North Sea and the Baltic, which includes pickled roll mop herrings as well as fresh herrings, cooked whole, served with potatoes and bacon dip.
Sauerkraut- Sauerkraut in German means 'sour cabbage'. The famous traditional German recipe, sauerkraut is prepared from shredded cabbage which is fermented by lactic acid bacteria. Its sour flavor and long shelf life are a result of the lactic acid that is formed when bacteria ferment sugars inside the cabbage. It is rich in vitamin C and hence very useful in preventing diseases like scurvy.

Moroccan Food
Moroccan cuisines are a mix of African, Middle Eastern, Arab, Mediterranean and Berber influences. Spices such as cinnamon, pepper, turmeric, coriander, cumin and parsley, are widely used all over the region. Chicken or lamb, along with bread, accompanied with cold and hot salads and vegetables are popular all over Morocco. Beef is another common meat consumed in most parts of this region. Green tea with mint is one of the most popular drinks seen in Moroccan cuisine.
Couscous- The Couscous is one of the oldest of dishes that belong to Moroccan cuisine. It consists of specially formed, fine-grained semolina that has been steamed before being served in a mound with vegetables and meat on top. The dish is traditionally cooked all at once in a special kind of steamer pot called a couscoussier, with the couscous in the top and the other ingredients in the bottom.

I hope I'm not making you salivate all over your laptops. 

Day of the Dead

Day of the Dead (Spanish: Día de los Muertos) is a Mexican holiday. The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. It is particularly celebrated in Mexico, where it attains the quality of a National Holiday. The celebration takes place on November 1st and 2nd, in connection with the Catholic holidays of All Saints' Day (November 1) and All Souls' Day (November 2). Traditions connected with the holiday include building private altars honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed and visiting graves with these as gifts.

Scholars trace the origins of the modern Mexican holiday to indigenous observances dating back hundreds of years and to an Aztec festival dedicated to a goddess called Mictecacihuatl. In Brazil, Dia de Finados is a public holiday that many Brazilians celebrate by visiting cemeteries and churches. In Spain, there are festivals and parades, and, at the end of the day, people gather at cemeteries and pray for their dead loved ones. Similar observances occur elsewhere in Europe, and similarly themed celebrations appear in many Asian and African cultures.

Slaves in Ancient Greece

Slaves were very important to the ancient Greek way of life. Slaves cleaned and cooked, worked in the fields, factories, shops, in the mines, and on ships. Even the police force in ancient Athens was made up of slaves!  Most slaves’ lives were not that different from a poor Greek citizen's life.

There were things slaves could not do. They could not go to school, or enter politics, or use their own name. They were given a name by the citizen who owned them. They were the property of their owner, not citizens of ancient Greece. 

People became slaves in many ways. Some people became slaves when captured in battle. Some were the children of slaves. Some were Greek infants, abandoned on a hill or at the gates of a town, left to die, or to be rescued by someone passing by. Some children were sold into slavery by poor families, and some children were kidnapped.  

Slaves were so important to the culture of ancient Greece, that some historians believe there were as many slaves as citizens.

The French Culture

France, the second largest country in Europe is today the melting pot of diverse cultures. However, it still retains its own unique appeal when it comes to ethnicity, geography and the French language. France has the English Channel to its north and the Mediterranean Sea and the Bay of Biscay to its south. The country is hexagonal in shape and is surrounded by Italy, Spain, Belgium, Andorra and Switzerland. France has contributed in the development of cultures of other nations in the areas of fashion, modern art and cinema.

Language
French is the official and most widely spoken language of France. People of France consider French as the most important part of their cultural identity. It also possesses 75 different regional languages like Flemish, Italian, Basque, Breton, Catalan, Occitan dialects, etc. The Constitution of France recognizes all these regional languages and are even taught in schools as a second language, in the areas where they are spoken.

Arts and Literature
France is considered as the hub of arts and literature. The artistic side of the French can be seen in paintings of the ancient as well as modern times. Every century has gifted France with invaluable painters and artists who have contributed tremendously to the artistic culture of France. It is said to be the home of many renowned artists like Edgar Degas, Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste, etc. The artistic richness of France is exhibited in various museums of France like Louvre, Picasso and Osray Museum.

Architecture
France is renowned for its beautiful and extraordinary monuments. Every age has contributed to the development of exquisite churches and palaces that are a pride of this country. France has monuments influenced by Roman, Gothic and Italian architecture. Some of the monuments that are the main attraction, for tourists who visit France, are the Eiffel Tower, Palace of Versailles, etc.

Cuisine
The people of France are known for their love for food and French cheese, and wines are popular all over the world. The dishes and style of cooking are different in different parts of the country. The French love good food, and are very particular about preparation and also about the dining etiquette. Cheese and wine are vital components of French food. Entrées with preplated appeal, inclusive of croissants and fruit yogurt are distinctive to French meals. France produces some of the finest wines in the world. Bordeaux, Champagne and Bourgogne French wines are essential components of French culture. 

Fashion
Paris is the 'Fashion Capital of the World'. The presence of dedicated couturier houses, fashion shows and dedicated media like 'Elle' dominate the fashion industry. France's very own designers like Yves Saint Laurent, Claude Montana, Pierre Cardin, Sonia Rykiel, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Paco Rabanne and Christian Lacroix are world renowned fashion designers. 

Malay Traditional Clothes - Baju Kebaya

A Kebaya is a traditional blouse-dress combination worn by women in Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Burma, Singapore, southern Thailand. It is sometimes made from sheer material and usually worn with a sarong or batik kain panjang, or other traditional woven garment such as ikat,songket with a colorful motif.The kebaya is the national costume of Indonesia, although it is more accurately endemic to Javanese, Sundanese and Balinese people

Interior Design, Culture of Venice.

It can be argued that Venice produced the most unique and refined Rococo designs. At the time, Venice was in a state of trouble. It had lost most of its maritime power, was lagging behind its rivals in political importance, and society had become decadent, with nobles wasting their money in gambling and partying. But Venice remained Italy's fashion capital, and was a serious contender to Paris in terms of wealth, architecture, luxury, taste, sophistication, trade, decoration, style, and design. Venetian Rococo was well known for being rich and luxurious, with usually very extravagant designs. Unique Venetian furniture, such as the divani da portego, or long Rococo couches and pozzetti, objects meant to be placed against the wall. Venetian bedrooms were usually sumptuous and grand, with rich damask, velvet, and silk drapery and curtains, a beautifully carved Rococo beds with statues of putti, flowers and angels. Venice was especially famous for its beautiful girandole mirrors, which remained among, if not the, finest in Europe. Chandeliers were usually very colourful, using Murano glass to make them look more vibrant and stand out from others, and precious stones and materials from abroad were used, since Venice still held a vast trade empire. Lacquer was very common, and many items of furniture were covered with it, the most famous being lacca povera (poor lacuqer), in which allegories and images of social life were painted. Lacquerwork and Chinoiserie were particularly common in bureau cabinets.

Ireland Fun Facts

                                    See, how beautiful Ireland is!
 
Ireland, an island located to the northwest of Europe, is one of the largest islands in the world. Ireland is one such glorious place that has a rich history and culture along with picturesque beauty and lush green scenery. Ireland has made a large contribution in literature and the very traditional folk music combined with the beautiful steps of the Irish dance all reflect the rich culture of Ireland. Here we go with some fun facts of Ireland!

Interesting Facts about Ireland

1. Ireland is known as the Emerald Island, thanks to its lush greenery.
2. Many castles in Ireland have 'murder hole' in the roof close to the entrance of the castle. This hole was used to dump daggers or hot liquids on enemies.
3. Not a single snake is found in Ireland. On the other hand, the only reptile found is the lizard.
4. The country is home to only three amphibians: the frog, newt and the toad.
5. The Irish Police force, are unarmed, but the detectives always carry firearms.
6. Ireland is also very popular as the home of pop music with Westlife, Celtic Woman, Horslips, Boyzone, Thin Lizzy, Clannad, Boomtown Rats, The Corrs, The Cranberries, Ronan Keating, Gilbert O'Sullivan, etc. as some of the world famous bands.
7. The Blarney Stone, which according to the legend, when kissed, gives the person ability of eloquence. Every year, millions of visitors visit and kiss this legendary stone.
8. Ireland possesses the second longest place name in Europe. The Irish village is called Muckanaghederdauhaulia, meaning 'pig-marsh between two seas'.
9. Titanic, the Unsinkable ship, which sunk in its maiden voyage, was made in Ireland.

Ireland Fun Facts - People

1. The Gaelic is the commonly spoken language in Ireland, next to Irish and English.
2. The Irish believe that on Judgment day, Jesus Christ will be the judge of all people, but St. Patrick will be the judge of the Irish.
3. James Hoban, an Irish, designed the White House in Washington.
4. In Ireland, the number of cell phones is actually more than the number of people. 
5. Irish people greet each other with the expression, "How are you? or "How ye keeping?". By this expression, they mean to be polite and expect a brief "Can't complain now, thanks." in reply. They are not looking for the details of one's medical history.
6. Most of the Irish family names start with 'Mac' or 'O'...", which literally means 'son of ...' and 'grandson of ...' respectively in Gaelic.
7. The Irish census revealed that the most popular boy's name in Ireland is Sean and the most popular girl's name is Emma. 
8. Over 5% of the Irish population are Polish. Moreover, today there are more Polish speakers as compared to the native Irish speakers in the country. There exists around 34 million US residents with Irish ancestry. This is why it's popularly said 'There are more Americans of Irish descent in America than there are Irishmen in Ireland'.
9. Irish people are also known for their sense of humor with respect to death, religion and relationships.
10. The Irish people are hardworking, very honest and known for their friendliness, hospitality, sense of fun and wonderful humour.
    

Cultural Facts

1. In Ireland, men never lifted a finger in the house to help and were never expected to. If a man washed the dishes, he would be called an “auld woman” by other men. 
2. “Nollaig na mBan” or “Little Women’s Christmas” is an old custom that’s still celebrated by women all over Ireland. It happens on January 6th, when women can get a break for a day to go out to relax with each other while men will take over of the housework.
3. According to the Irish birthday traditions, people hold the birthday child upside down and bump the head slightly on the floor. The bumps correspond to the age of the child. It is believed that this tradition brings good luck.
4. The Celtic knot is one of the most famous Irish symbols that stands for continuity of life. Apart from this, the harp, the Shamrock, and the Irish wolfhound are some other famous symbols that belong typically to Ireland.
5. The most identifiable breakfast tradition on the Emerald Isle is the Full Irish Breakfast. It's a huge platter of food consisting of rashers, bangers, black pudding, white pudding, eggs, tomatoes, mushrooms, potatoes and Irish beans. It's usually served with a regional bread such as Irish brown bread or soda bread.
6. Irish wedding gift’s that are traditionally given include items like salt and pepper shakers and tall toasting glasses (flutes) which are considered lucky gifts to receive or a porcelain bell which is given to remind the couple of the bells that rang when they married.
7. Irish people prepare much for Easter Sunday by doing “spring cleaning”. This is usually done before the blessing by the local priest in a religious ceremony which exists hundreds of years ago.
8. The Irish are known for their love for music and dance. The beauty of the Irish dance is such that it can mesmerize even those who have no particular interest in dance, an example of Irish dance is Riverdance.
9. Ireland boasts the finest writers of all times. Some famous Irish sayings reveal the nature and ethos of the Irish people and would possibly help you see the lighter side of life!

"May the saddest day of your future be no worse than the happiest day of your past.  "