Xceltrip

Long regarded as one of the cornerstones of Japanese culture , the chadō , or tea ceremony, is a quintessential expression of aestheticism and philosophy in perfect harmony. But the story of how it came to be is an epic tale spanning centuries, including political intrigue, murder and suicide along the way. The tea plant was brought to Japan in the 9th century by a Buddhist monk by the name of Eichū on his return from China, where tea had been in widespread use for centuries. Eichū served the drink to an emperor not long after and an imperial decree was issued to start cultivating tea plantations in Japan. It would take another three centuries before tea ceremonies would become a spiritual practice. Initially, tencha , a type of matcha tea, was consumed at religious rituals in Buddhist monasteries. But by the 13th century, tea had become a status symbol and samurai were participating in luxurious tea-tasting parties, where prizes were given out for guessing the corre...

The Mediterranean island of Cyprus has a culture that is a merger of many cultures. The Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots , the two key ethnic groups of Cyprus, share numerous cultural features together but also have several changes. In both communities, good hospitality is highly valued. Both love to celebrate special occasions with music, dance, and other performances. They also share many traditional foods and beverages. However, the Greek and Turkish Cypriots have dissimilar religious cultures. Cuisine Source: Google.com The cuisine of Cyprus is heavily influenced by Greek and Turkish culinary traditions. French, Byzantine, Ottoman, Italian, Middle Eastern, and Catalan cuisines also helped shape the Cypriot cuisine. The food tastes of the medieval-era French Lusignan monarchs of Cyprus led to the development of a refined Cypriot cuisine that fuses French, Middle Eastern, and Byzantine cuisine. The Lusignan kings imported cooks from Syria to work in their...

Malta has its own traditions and customs that are still followed today. Whether you believe they work or not, many are meant to ward off evil and keep households safe. Here are just a few you might witness while visiting the island. Source: Google.com Maltese Treats Source: Google.com Figola , almond-flavoured iced biscuits, appear freshly made in bakeries across the island in the lead up to Easter. They are commonly shaped as symbols of Christianity, such as a cross, fish or heart. Alternatively, all year round, you can find Maltese sandwiches. This combination of tomato paste, tuna, onion and Mediteranean fruits, such as olives and capers, is usually piled on thickly cut Maltese bread. Add a little goat’s cheese for a delicious and healthy meal made in households and eateries across the island. Early Career Choices Line up relevant items in front of a one-year-old to determine their future career. If the toddler chooses an egg, a full house is on the...