CONVERGENCE NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2016
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Travel<br />
RUSSIA<br />
Christmas is celebrated on January<br />
7 because the Orthodox church uses<br />
the old Julian calendar for religious<br />
celebration days. In the traditional<br />
Russian Christmas celebration,<br />
special prayers are said and people<br />
fast, sometimes for 39 days until<br />
January 6 (Christmas Eve) when the<br />
first evening star appears in the sky.<br />
Then begins a 12 course supper in<br />
honour of the 12 apostles.<br />
On the EIGHTH DAY of Christmas<br />
my true love sent to me,<br />
eight maids-a-milking,<br />
seven swans-a-swimming,<br />
six geese-a-laying,<br />
five golden rings,<br />
four calling birds,<br />
three French hens,<br />
two turtle doves<br />
and a partridge in a pear tree.<br />
SOUTH AFRICA<br />
Not for the faint hearted, on<br />
Christmas day, South Africans tuck<br />
into deep-fried caterpillars of the<br />
Emperor Moth. But, if you’re looking<br />
for a regular fare, dishes include<br />
turkey or duck, roast beef, mince<br />
pies or suckling pig with yellow rice<br />
and raisins and vegetables, followed<br />
by Christmas pudding or a<br />
traditional South African desert<br />
called Malva pudding.<br />
On the TENTH DAY of Christmas my<br />
true love sent to me,<br />
ten lords-a-leaping,<br />
nine ladies dancing,<br />
eight maids-a-milking,<br />
seven swans-a-swimming,<br />
six geese-a-laying,<br />
five golden rings,<br />
four calling birds,<br />
three French hens,<br />
two turtle doves<br />
and a partridge in a pear tree.<br />
MALAYSIA<br />
Of the 30 million citizens, around 2.6<br />
million are Christians in this country.<br />
The event, celebrated on December<br />
25th is a public holiday and one<br />
would often see families converging<br />
together on Christmas eve with<br />
family and friends. Malls, homes and<br />
offices will be decorated while Secret<br />
Santa is a common gift exchange<br />
activity that takes places across<br />
schools and workplaces.<br />
On the TWELFTH DAY of Christmas<br />
my true love sent to me,<br />
twelve drummers drumming,<br />
eleven pipers piping,<br />
ten lords-a-leaping,<br />
nine ladies dancing,<br />
eight maids-a-milking,<br />
seven swans-a-swimming,<br />
six geese-a-laying,<br />
five golden rings,<br />
four calling birds,<br />
three French hens,<br />
two turtle doves<br />
and a partridge in a pear tree.<br />
CANADA<br />
Canada Post recognises the address<br />
Santa Claus, North Pole, Canada,<br />
HoHoHo. Any letters received<br />
bearing this address is opened and<br />
replied to.<br />
On the NINTH DAY of Christmas my<br />
true love sent to me,<br />
nine ladies dancing,<br />
eight maids-a-milking,<br />
seven swans-a-swimming,<br />
six geese-a-laying,<br />
five golden rings,<br />
four calling birds,<br />
three French hens,<br />
two turtle doves<br />
and a partridge in a pear tree.<br />
LEBANON<br />
Santa would be mighty thrilled with<br />
this country’s festive spirit. For a<br />
country that is not entirely Christian,<br />
one would be surprised by its<br />
over-the-top presentation and the<br />
majority of the nation joins in on the<br />
fun. Malls feverishly compete for the<br />
most dazzling lights, the grandest<br />
tree and the most eye-catching<br />
technology. In the grand scheme<br />
of things, Lebanon celebrates the<br />
holiday similarly to the West. So,<br />
light up the fireplace, munch on<br />
roasted chestnuts and welcome the<br />
much-awaited 25th.<br />
On the ELEVENTH DAY of Christmas<br />
my true love sent to me,<br />
eleven pipers piping,<br />
ten lords-a-leaping,<br />
nine ladies dancing,<br />
eight maids-a-milking,<br />
seven swans-a-swimming,<br />
six geese-a-laying,<br />
five golden rings,<br />
four calling birds,<br />
three French hens,<br />
two turtle doves<br />
and a partridge in a pear tree.<br />
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