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A Journey Through Time: Celebrating New Year’s Around the World
Can you imagine watching the countdown crystal ball drop in New York’s Times Square in March? That would be possible if most of the world didn’t adopt the modern calendar, which starts on January 1st. The oldest recorded New Year celebrations date back to 2000 BC in ancient Mesopotamia, now Iraq. This festival is called “akitu” and lasts for up to 12 days, starting with the first new moon after the spring equinox (the day when day and night equal each other), usually in March. For the Babylonians of the time, the festival marked the coronation of a new king or the reaffirmation of loyalty to the current king. The…
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Unraveling Boston: From Crimson Bricks to Verdant Trails, a Student’s Wanderlust Journey
The initial time I visited Boston was in April. As I prepared to land in Boston from the sunny city of Miami, I caught sight of an unending, ever-changing expanse of mangrove forest through the port window. This sight served as a reminder that Boston resides in a temperate zone known for its long winters. The deep red hue of the forest has always evoked a tender sentiment within me for Boston. As a tourist, Boston offers me a pathway to explore – the red-brick “Freedom Trail,” a 4-kilometer route originating from Boston Common and linking 16 historical attractions, including the State Capitol Building. Walking along these crimson bricks liberates…
