Posted by Jackie Hewett on Mon 15th September 2008 at 10:18 AM, Filed in July
For 2 days every July since 1979 truck lovers are able to indulge in one of the biggest and best trucking events. Just outside Iowa on highway 80 (exit 284) at the aptly named Iowa 80 truck stop hosts the Annual Walcott Truckers Jamboree as a thank you to the truck drivers of America for delivering goods across the country.
In 2009 this will take place in 9th and 10th July and some 175 exhibits are anticipated. One of the best times to visit will be the first night when there is a large firework display and the ‘Lights at Night’ competition when all the super trucks light up the evening with their impressive customised lighting. In fact this is a gathering of some of the most amazing customised trucks you can see together in one place. Many of them are works of art with thousands of dollars spent on their paint jobs and chrome. They are mobile works of art and to enter the competitions they also have to be road-worthy.
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This is arguably on of the largest Buddhist celebrations in the world, and over one million people attend annually (July / August) – so it will be crowded! Kandy’s Temple of the Sacred Tooth was built on the edge of Lake Kandy specifically to house the left canine of Buddha that was allegedly salvaged from his funeral pyre. It is said to be the most revered Buddhist object and in 1988 it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Kandy Temple
The original wooden temple was built between 1687 and 1707 but it was destroyed during the colonial wars in the 18th century. It has since been replaced by a stone temple. The tooth now rests on a gold lotus flower within jeweled caskets (so it can’t be seen) and is ‘protected’ by two elephant tusks. During the festival the tooth use to be paraded around Kandy but today it remains within the temple and a replica is paraded. The procession today still has elaborately decorated elephants, fire dancers, torchbearers, jugglers, musicians, acrobats and more.
The Parade
On the last night of the festival (10th day) millions enter the temple holding candles and circumnavigate the shrine to pay their respects making a very photogenic sight.
Posted by Jackie Hewett on Sun 27th July 2008 at 12:20 PM, Filed in Far East, July
On the 11th to 13th every July Mongolia holds its ‘national games’ (also known as ‘Eriin Gurvan’) showcasing Mongolia’s three games of men (horse racing, archery and wrestling). Some say the festival stared in the 1920’s whilst others claim it is centuries old. Whilst celebrations are held throughout the country the main games are held in Ulan Bator and on the open steppes just outside the city.
Details of the games:
- Opening Ceremony – where monks, soldiers and athletes parade in colourful Genghis Khan style costumes
- Wrestling – Mongolian wrestling is similar to sumo wrestling and is the only actual all male event. The bouts are not timed and a competitior loses if they touch the ground
- Archery – men shoot over a distance of 75meters and women over 60 meters.
- Horse Riding – this event dominates day 2 and Mongolians are renowned horsemen (and children). The races are broken down into different ages of horse. The youngest horses (1 year olds) race 15km whilst the older horses race over 30km. There are around 400 participants in every race and the horses reach speed of up to 80 km per hour. Riders are all children, some as young as 5 and it said that Mongolian children learn to ride before they can walk!
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Posted by Jackie Hewett on Sun 20th July 2008 at 03:58 PM, Filed in Europe, July
This festival could be called ‘son of the Burning Man’ as it adheres to the same principles (see Burning Man Article) – nothing is for sale there (‘no commerce’ – although bartering is encouraged), you have to bring your own food, drink etc (radical self reliance) and leave no trace of your camp (you have responsibility for taking away your own rubbish). It is held in a Northern Spanish dessert / windy mountainside early in July so be prepared for a fairly hostile environment – temperatures of 30C plus are common and 48% humidity.
Camp
Participants are encouraged, even expected to bring their own art installations and join in the ‘radical self expression’. Mere spectating is discouraged. However, participation comes in many forms, you could provide the gift of manicures or massage, even singing or other performances would count. If you don’t feel you have any such skills to contribute you could offer help in the set up and / or clearing away of camp.
Nowhere participant
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Posted by Jackie Hewett on Tue 8th July 2008 at 01:42 AM, Filed in Europe, July
14th July is the closest thing the French have to an independence day. It is designated as a French national holiday and commemorates the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille when France did away with their Monarchy and made the first moves towards becoming a republic.
Whilst events take place all over France, Paris is the place to be. There is a huge military parade in the Champs Elysee led by army cadets and the fire service get the biggest cheers. The red arrows put on a display to accompany the parade between the Arc de Triomphe and the Place de la Concorde. Large firework displays are staged. A chosen few will attend a garden party at the Palais de l’Elysee held by the elected president.
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