"This past Friday was the local "Fire Festival" (Bugum Chugu) where people light torches and chant and dance (it is a traditional war festival). The group marches to a special tree and says prayers as they let the torches fly. Afterwards, the procession makes their way to the Chief's palace and receives fortified water, meant to provide strength to warriors." - Leeda Wang in Ghana
"Beach culture in Brazilian cities: While I love to go to the beach to read or nap, the beaches in Brazilian cities can be far from relaxing. They are full of hardworking venders walking the coast selling knickknacks, food, cold beer and caipirinhas, or renting chairs and umbrellas. Venders get creative with their selling strategies and use loud speakers or modify popular songs to catch your attention, each one claiming to have the coldest beer or freshest açai.
It is also common to find small groups of friends playing altinha (circle of players juggling a soccer ball-see picture), or the impressive futevolei (if beach volleyball and soccer had a baby. Basically volleyball with no hands).
Something that always breaks my heart about Brazil is the lack of awareness about littering. Since there are government workers that pick up the trash everyday many Brazilians just leave their trash on the beach. With no official recycling program, others capitalize on the abandoned cans and collect them to sell (picture attached).
Also, no matter what age, size, or shape if you're not wearing a bikini or sunga (boy's speedo) you are clearly a tourist..!" - Julian Guelig in Brazil
"Every year, in early October, undercover Canadians like myself living in the US gather together to celebrate secret Canadian Thanksgiving dinner." - Lauryn Drainie in New York City.
"Monday nights it's Plena music at Bonanza. This is a very typical Puerto Rican kind of music with lots of 'tambores' and everyone dances in the sidewalk. Right next to where the musicians are, there's a place selling food and drinks. I had a Medalla (local beer) and 'carne frita con tostones' (fried pork and mashed-fried plantain)." - Paula Vega in Puerto Rico
"Kiva U projects really inspired me and I hope one day Kiva U will land in National Taiwan University! National Taiwan University (NTU) is the prestigious flagship university of Taiwan." - David Tsai in Taiwan.
Fun fact! Some noteable alumni of NTU are Yuan-Tseh Lee (Nobel Prize in chemistry, 1986), Chang-lin Tien (7th Chancellor of UC Berkeley), and Henry T. Yang (5th Chancellor of UC Santa Barbara).
"Local Ugandan cuisine 101. A very common meal includes choice of a protein (e.g. peas, beef, goat, chicken etc.) served with what's referred to as "food" - the plate on the right. This photo features a pretty comprehensive list of food. Starting from the white item clockwise: posho-maize flower, matoke-starchy banana, cassava, taro, sweet potato, and pumpkin. Asking a restaurant "what food do you have?" is asking them what sort of accompaniments they have to the protein, after which you can pick and choose which ones you want. Whether you pick one item or all of them, they are always guaranteed to fill the entire plate!" - Ran Fan in Uganda
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