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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 />

98

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