StoryWander Travel

20/01/2025

We’re packing our bags for Norway and want to bring a taste of Appalachia to our new friends! 🌍✈️ What iconic Appalachian food or drink should we share? 🍴🥃 Tell us below and help us decide what to showcase in an upcoming travel reel! 🎥🇳🇴

16/01/2025

We ate at Chai Pani’s new location. It is gorgeous!! And the food was delicious. Definitely worth the trip! 🏵️🇮🇳🌺

15/01/2025

SAVE THE DATE!
Join us on February 24th at the Opossum’s Tale for Norway Night. StoryWander will have just returned home from our Arctic adventure and we will be bringing goodies home with us! Stay tuned for more!

15/01/2025

Do you have your REAL-ID?? You will need it by May 7th!

The REAL ID deadline is fast-approaching and officials want you to be prepared (spoiler: you may already be in compliance).

13/01/2025

Tudo Bom? Samba on over to the Opossum’s Tale tonight for amazing food, drinks, and excellent company at Brazil Night! Tudo Bem!

12/01/2025

Janna has been to 27. How about you? 🗺️📍🇺🇸

11/01/2025

Come see us on Monday night at The Opossum’s Tale in Downtown Jonesborough! We will be celebrating Brazil, where we went last Fall. We will have door prizes, great music, and The Opossum’s Tale will have special Brazilian food and drinks, in addition to their regular menu! Let’s get together and dream of far off, warmer places!! 🇧🇷

06/01/2025

THIS MONDAY, StoryWander Travel will be hosting a Brazil Night at The Opossum's Tale! They will have Brazilian food specials, as well as their regular menu. There will also be DOOR PRIZES, BRAZILIAN MUSIC, and folks who traveled with us to Brazil in August will be there to share their stories and pictures! It will be a blast! Hope to see you there!

02/01/2025

Less than a month!

01/01/2025

🎆 Cheers to New Beginnings: Celebrating New Year’s Day Around the World 🌍✨

The New Year has arrived, bringing with it a chance to reflect on the past and embrace the promise of new opportunities, adventures, and connections. Around the globe, people celebrate in unique and meaningful ways, making this day one of hope and renewal.

New Year’s Traditions Around the World

🌟 Japan:
In Japan, New Year’s Day (Oshogatsu) is a time for family and tradition. People visit shrines to pray for good fortune, send nengajo (New Year’s cards), and enjoy osechi ryori—beautifully prepared dishes symbolizing health, wealth, and happiness.

🎇 Brazil:
New Year’s Eve and Day are celebrated on the beaches with music and fireworks. Many wear white for peace and jump over seven waves, making wishes for the year ahead.

🍇 Spain:
As the clock strikes midnight, Spaniards eat 12 grapes, one with each chime, symbolizing luck for all 12 months of the coming year.

🪔 India:
While New Year’s Day on January 1st is celebrated, India also observes various regional New Year festivals throughout the year, such as Diwali (New Year in some regions) and Ugadi in the south.

🎶 United States:
Fireworks displays across the country welcome the New Year with spectacle. Many enjoy traditions like resolutions and toasting to new beginnings.

A Time to Reflect and Dream

No matter how you celebrate, the New Year is a time for gratitude and growth. It’s an opportunity to let go of what no longer serves us, set intentions for the future, and celebrate the endless possibilities that lie ahead.

Your Turn!
What are your hopes and dreams for the New Year? Share your resolutions or favorite New Year’s traditions in the comments below! 🎆🎉

31/12/2024

🎉 Hogmanay: Scotland’s Spectacular New Year Celebration 🥃✨

In Scotland, Hogmanay is more than just New Year’s Eve—it’s a grand, centuries-old celebration filled with unique traditions, music, and fireworks. Running from December 31st into the early hours of January 1st (and often beyond!), Hogmanay is a time to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new with warmth and joy.

What Makes Hogmanay Special?

🔥 Torchlight Processions:
In cities like Edinburgh, Hogmanay begins with magnificent torchlight processions, where participants carry flaming torches through the streets, symbolizing the lighting of the way for the new year.

🎶 Street Parties and Ceilidh Dancing:
Scotland knows how to throw a party! From lively ceilidh dances (traditional Scottish dancing) to massive street celebrations with music and fireworks, the festive energy is contagious.

🏠 First-Footing:
This cherished tradition involves being the first visitor to a home after midnight, bringing gifts like coal, whisky, or shortbread to symbolize warmth, good fortune, and hospitality for the year ahead.

💃 The Auld Lang Syne Singalong:
No Hogmanay is complete without a heartfelt rendition of Auld Lang Syne, the iconic Scottish song by Robert Burns, as the clock strikes midnight.

🌊 Loony Dook:
For the brave, the New Year’s Day Loony Dook involves plunging into Scotland’s icy waters to shake off the cobwebs and start the year refreshed (and a little chilled!).

A Celebration of Resilience and Connection

Hogmanay is a vibrant celebration rooted in Scottish history and culture. It’s a time to gather with loved ones, reflect on the year past, and embrace the future with hope and cheer.

Your Turn!
Would you take part in a Hogmanay torchlight procession or a chilly Loony Dook? How do you celebrate the start of the new year? Share your thoughts below! 🥃🔥

30/12/2024

🎭 Silvesterchlausen: Switzerland’s Unique New Year Tradition 🇨🇭

As the year draws to a close, the Appenzell region of Switzerland celebrates Silvesterchlausen, a centuries-old tradition filled with vibrant costumes, joyful singing, and community spirit. Observed on December 31st (New Year’s Eve) and again on January 13th (the Old Julian calendar’s New Year), this fascinating event showcases Swiss heritage at its finest.

What Is Silvesterchlausen?

Silvesterchlausen, meaning “New Year’s Chlausen,” combines elements of ancient customs and Christian influences. Participants known as “Chläuse” (New Year’s Clauses) dress in elaborate costumes and roam from house to house, offering good wishes for the New Year.

The Costumes

The Chläuse wear incredible handmade costumes, each falling into one of three categories:
• Schöne (Beautiful): Representing nature and fertility, these costumes feature intricate hats adorned with scenes from Swiss life, often crafted from delicate materials.
• Wüeschte (Ugly): Designed to ward off evil spirits, these costumes include masks, dark clothing, and frightening designs.
• Schö-Wüeschte (Beautiful-Ugly): A mix of the two styles, these costumes strike a balance between beauty and grotesque imagery.

What Happens During Silvesterchlausen?
• The Chläuse move in groups from home to home, singing Zäuerli (traditional wordless songs) and offering blessings.
• In return, residents thank them with food, drinks, or small tokens of appreciation.
• The event creates a lively and festive atmosphere, filled with music, laughter, and camaraderie.

Why It’s Special

Silvesterchlausen isn’t just about celebrating the New Year; it’s a way to preserve cultural heritage, strengthen community bonds, and start the year with good wishes and positivity.

Your Turn!
Would you like to experience Silvesterchlausen? What traditions do you have for ringing in the New Year? Share your thoughts in the comments! 🎭✨

29/12/2024

🙏 Holy Innocents’ Day: Remembering the Unseen and Honoring the Innocent 🌟

Observed on December 28th, Holy Innocents’ Day is a solemn Christian holiday that honors the memory of the children killed by King Herod in his attempt to eliminate the infant Jesus, as recounted in the Gospel of Matthew. Known as the “Feast of the Holy Innocents,” this day reflects on the sanctity of life and reminds us of the resilience of hope in the face of tragedy.

The Story Behind Holy Innocents’ Day

According to the Bible, after the Magi informed King Herod of Jesus’s birth, Herod ordered the massacre of all male infants in Bethlehem to eliminate a perceived threat to his rule. These children, known as the “Holy Innocents,” are venerated as the first martyrs of Christianity.

How Is It Observed?

🕯️ Church Services:
Many Christian communities hold special Masses or prayer services to honor the Holy Innocents and reflect on the value of life.

🎶 Carols and Hymns:
Traditional hymns like the Coventry Carol commemorate the tragedy with poignant melodies and lyrics.

🎁 Day of Giving:
In some countries, Holy Innocents’ Day is a day for acts of kindness, particularly toward children. It’s an opportunity to provide for those in need and affirm the dignity of every life.

🎭 Lighthearted Traditions:
In Spain and Latin America, this day is known as Día de los Santos Inocentes and is celebrated like April Fool’s Day, with jokes and pranks symbolizing the unpredictable nature of life.

A Day for Reflection

Holy Innocents’ Day invites us to honor the unseen and to advocate for the innocent in our own time. It’s a reminder of the strength that comes from unity and compassion.

Your Turn!
Have you observed Holy Innocents’ Day, or are there ways you give back during the holiday season? Share your thoughts in the comments below. 🌟

28/12/2024

🕯️ Kwanzaa: A Celebration of African Heritage, Unity, and Culture 🌟

From December 26th to January 1st, people around the world celebrate Kwanzaa, a holiday honoring African heritage, culture, and community. Created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, Kwanzaa is rooted in the Nguzo Saba (Seven Principles), which guide reflection and action throughout the week.

The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa
1. Umoja (Unity): Strengthening bonds within the family, community, and nation.
2. Kujichagulia (Self-Determination): Defining and creating your own future.
3. Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility): Building and solving challenges together.
4. Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics): Supporting and uplifting Black-owned businesses.
5. Nia (Purpose): Working toward community development.
6. Kuumba (Creativity): Using imagination to enhance the community.
7. Imani (Faith): Believing in the community, family, and the justice of the struggle.

How Is Kwanzaa Celebrated?

🕯️ Lighting the Kinara: Each evening, a candle is lit on the kinara, representing one of the seven principles.
🍴 Karamu Feast: On December 31st, families gather for a festive meal featuring African-inspired dishes.
🎶 Music and Art: Drumming, dancing, storytelling, and poetry bring communities together.
🎁 Gift-Giving: Thoughtful, handmade gifts reflect creativity and cultural pride.

The Spirit of Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa is a time to honor the past, celebrate the present, and build a stronger future. It’s a celebration of resilience, empowerment, and unity.

Your Turn!
Have you celebrated Kwanzaa or been inspired by its principles? Share your reflections or favorite traditions in the comments! 🕯️✨

27/12/2024

🕎 Hanukkah: The Festival of Lights 🌟

Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish celebration commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem and the miracle of the oil. This year, Hanukkah began at sundown on December 25th, 2024, and ends at nightfall on January 2nd, 2025.

The Story Behind Hanukkah

Over 2,000 years ago, a small group of Jewish rebels, the Maccabees, reclaimed the temple in Jerusalem from oppressors. They found only enough sacred oil to light the menorah for one day, yet it miraculously burned for eight days, symbolizing perseverance and divine intervention.

How Is Hanukkah Celebrated?

🕎 Lighting the Menorah:
Each night, one candle is lit on the menorah until all eight candles—and the shamash (helper candle)—are glowing. The menorah’s light serves as a reminder of the miracle and the enduring power of faith.

🍴 Delicious Foods:
Hanukkah is a feast for the senses, featuring foods fried in oil to honor the miracle. Classics include latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly-filled doughnuts).

🎶 Songs and Games:
Traditional songs like “Maoz Tzur” and games like dreidel, a spinning top inscribed with Hebrew letters, bring families together in joyful celebration.

🎁 Gift-Giving:
In some families, small gifts or coins (gelt) are exchanged, especially for children.

A Celebration of Light and Resilience

Hanukkah teaches us to find light even in the darkest times. It’s a celebration of hope, faith, and the courage to stand up for what’s right.

Your Turn!
Do you celebrate Hanukkah or have a favorite tradition from the Festival of Lights? Share your stories in the comments below! 🕎✨

25/12/2024

🎄 Merry Christmas: A Day of Joy, Love, and Connection 🌟

December 25th is here, and across the globe, people are celebrating Christmas Day with traditions that reflect love, gratitude, and the spirit of giving. Whether it’s a quiet day at home or a grand celebration, this holiday holds a special meaning for many.

Christmas Day Around the World

🌟 Religious Celebrations:
For Christians, Christmas Day marks the birth of Jesus Christ, celebrated with church services, prayers, and joyous hymns like “O Holy Night” and “Silent Night.”

🍴 Feasting and Family:
Christmas meals vary across cultures—from roasted turkey and stuffing in the United States, to lechón in the Philippines, to bûche de Noël (Yule log cake) in France. Families gather around the table, sharing laughter, memories, and delicious food.

🎁 The Joy of Giving:
Exchanging gifts is a highlight of Christmas morning, symbolizing generosity and love. From handmade crafts to thoughtfully chosen presents, it’s a time to show appreciation for those we hold dear.

🎶 Music and Festivities:
Carols and seasonal songs fill the air, from lively renditions of “Jingle Bells” to traditional tunes like “Feliz Navidad” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”

A Global Celebration of Togetherness

While Christmas traditions differ from one country to another, the themes of joy, hope, and connection are universal. It’s a time to celebrate the love we share, reflect on the year, and look forward to brighter days ahead.

Your Turn!
How are you celebrating Christmas today? Whether it’s a festive meal, a thoughtful gift exchange, or a moment of quiet gratitude, share your traditions with us in the comments! 🎁✨

24/12/2024

🎄 Christmas Eve: A Night of Magic, Tradition, and Togetherness 🌟

Christmas Eve is a time for cherished traditions and cozy moments with loved ones. Around the world, families celebrate this special night in ways that reflect their unique cultures and values.

How Is Christmas Eve Celebrated?

📚 Jólabókaflóð – Iceland’s Book Flood:
In Iceland, Christmas Eve is all about books! As part of the beloved tradition Jólabókaflóð (Christmas Book Flood), families exchange books as gifts, then spend the evening reading by the fire with mugs of hot cocoa. It’s a beautiful celebration of storytelling and the simple joy of a good book.

🌟 Midnight Mass:
For many, attending Midnight Mass is a sacred tradition, marking the birth of Christ with prayer and carols.

🍴 Festive Feasts:
From tamales in Mexico to the Feast of the Seven Fishes in Italy, Christmas Eve meals are rich in flavor and meaning, bringing families together around the table.

🎶 Candlelight and Carols:
In Scandinavia, families light candles, sing carols, and reflect on the season’s beauty.

🎅 Santa’s Arrival:
For children, Christmas Eve is filled with excitement as they prepare for Santa’s visit, leaving out cookies and milk before bedtime.

A Night of Connection and Reflection

Christmas Eve is a time to pause, connect, and embrace the magic of the season. Whether you’re exchanging gifts, sharing a meal, or curling up with a new book, this night reminds us of the importance of love, gratitude, and togetherness.

Your Turn!
What are your favorite Christmas Eve traditions? Would you celebrate with Iceland’s cozy Book Flood? Let us know in the comments! 📚🎄

24/12/2024

🎉 A Festivus for the Rest of Us! 🎄

Move over traditional holidays—December 23rd is reserved for Festivus, the quirky, no-frills celebration popularized by the hit TV show Seinfeld. Originally a fictional holiday, Festivus has taken on a life of its own, offering an alternative way to celebrate the season with humor, honesty, and maybe a bit of venting.

What Is Festivus?

Festivus was created as a humorous response to the commercialism of the holidays. Instead of fancy decorations and lavish gifts, Festivus keeps things simple and, well, unconventional.

Key Festivus Traditions

🪩 The Festivus Pole:
Forget the tree! A plain, unadorned aluminum pole is the centerpiece of Festivus, representing simplicity and rejecting holiday excess.

🎤 The Airing of Grievances:
Gather your family and friends and let it all out! During dinner, everyone gets a chance to share their complaints from the past year—hopefully with a dose of humor.

💪 Feats of Strength:
Festivus dinner isn’t complete until someone wrestles the head of the household to the ground. Yes, this one’s not for the faint of heart!

📖 Festivus Miracles:
Everyday occurrences, like finding a parking spot or finishing a tough project, can be deemed Festivus miracles. Celebrate the small wins!

Why It’s Special

While it started as a satire, Festivus has become a way for people to connect, laugh, and celebrate without the pressure of typical holiday traditions. It’s a reminder that the holidays can be as unique as you make them!

Your Turn!
Do you celebrate Festivus, or are you ready to try something new? Let us know your grievances, your miracles, or your strongest feats in the comments! 🎤💪