On the 2nd of September 2009, Sky Europe was the next airline to announce it’s bankruptcy. They basically told everyone that everything had to come to a halt, no more flights, even for those already on holiday. Now they are all stranded on holiday if they went with Europe Sky. They are all expected to find their own way home, as the airline has ceased flying. So now they must await their insurance company to pay for a return flight, or they will have to get their own.

But what is this all leading towards? Can we wait to expect all the airlines to just fail. Their current performance doesn’t look too good at all. However we have only been hearing about the airlines that have made losses, does this mean that the quiet ones are not doing quite so badly? What about Virgin, they haven’t been kicking up much of a fuss. In fact they appear to be interested in joining up with another airline.

Could this mean that in thirty or fifty years, there will be one world wide airline? Could it be possible that another airline could takeover all of the failing ones. If there was one airline across the world would this improve the situation? The only problem is that if one airline controlled the skies, it would be a massive responsibility; it almost feels like a step towards world domination.

Remember that we are talking about luxury Christmas holidays as well. Although Skiing holidays are considered to be quite luxurious, they pale in comparison to these two. What’s strange for Christmas time is that these two holidays are in the Caribbean, one of the hottest locations in the world.

St Lucia holidays are on the rise this Christmas, and so much so that flights have almost been completely consumed already. In fact you need to search for luxury holidays to find a spare seat. But the advantage of this is that there are some truly amazing offers available. The weather in St Lucia is going to be very warm this December as well, with only a small amount of rain.

Barbados holidays provide anyone visiting this Christmas with a vibrant and exciting Christmas holiday. This is a holiday for those that want to have an up-beat and exciting Christmas. One that will last through all hours of the night and for those that like to party all night long. The Barbadians are great at keeping any tourist entertained and the way that they achieve this is by taking you out to all kinds of parties and clubs. Christmas is a time of celebration in Barbados, and a massive one at that, parties and late nights all around. You can even find a holiday in Barbados, a full package deal for less than a thousand pounds.

It’s every family’s worst nightmare, and the ultimate worst case scenario. The possibility that everything could go so horribly wrong on holiday, especially in a town they had visited many times before and liked enough to have bought a second home there. We think of our holidays as an escape, a chance to relax and get away from the stress and trials of everyday life, but even in the most perfect of places these things can still happen. Friends of the family claimed the youths set upon the twins for being English, but there is no proof of this and some witnesses claim that it was merely a drunken brawl over a girl that got out of hand. Whatever the underlying cause of the fight it is worrying to think this sort of incident could happen to anyone while they were on their holidays.

So will incidents like this put people off visiting Spain or other similar popular destinations? Would you really want to buy a holiday home in a town where people are capable of such an act? Well, in reality incidents like this are a lot more likely to affect people in the UK than they are in Spain. A whole gang of youths attacking a man in a quiet Spanish town is virtually unheard of and the most likely scenario is that it was a simple argument which got tragically out of control due to alcohol.

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The first recorded detailed writings in Africa were those written by the Egyptians in 4000 BC. They showed some truly astonishing intelligence, built pyramids and had presented the world with an amazing civilization. Many scientists and academics believe that if you are to look back in time to decipher which was the first civilization on our planet, you should look at who had the first comprehensive writings, this means it would have been the Egyptians. Even before this, over 100,000 years ago, the plains of Africa were very different. It also became clear how old the origin of Homo sapiens actually was, scientists discovered many fossils to suggest that people from the same gene pool as us were around.

The African Countryside was as said, very different to the desolate plains it is now. After the ice age had happened at around ten millennia in the past, the land of what we call the Sahara Desert was all grassland. It would have been a popular agricultural site for any farmer. Considering where Africa is on the planet, the effects of the Equator start to show when Desertification took place. These people would then have had to migrate to plains with more grassland. By 3000 BC some civilizations across the world but specifically in Africa had started domesticating animals like horses and donkeys to do farming work.

Africa has been celebrated for its completely unique art. It would be impossible for you to find the amount of assorted arts and cultures in any other country compared to that of Africa. With so many peoples and different cultures everywhere you visit you will find a different type of art. The Africans have come to create a single piece of art that all the cultures have in common, the human figurine. This generalisation of art is a representation of a loved one, a dead friend or family member or of somebody of great importance. They were extremely adept at creating pieces of abstract art but are now creating pieces of Contemporary art~The African speciality was Abstract art, they created much of it, but recently they have become quite skilled at creating pieces of Contemporary art.

The best way to find out about Africa yourself; is to go on Safari. Kenya safari has become a popular holiday to find out more about the Land of Africa.

The Sun. That small yellow ball in the sky in the sky is the source of all live on earth and it can make you’re a lot more enjoyable. There are some real medical advantages to being in the sun, aside from the more behavioural ones such as being able to swim outside or relax and read a book without have to wear four layers of clothing. When the eyes received low levels of light they trigger the release of melatonin into the blood stream. This then causes the body to shut down in many ways (thinking it is night time) and makes us feel dreary and tried. When the sun is beaming however, when you’re enjoing hot Canada holidays for example, the eyes take in a lot of light, less melatonin is produced and we feel more energized, happy and less stressed.

Less anxiety. The chemical reaction that happens when we are stressed or anxious about something that is instinctive but rarely beneficial. High levels of cortisol and epinephrine flow around the body after the hypothalamus tells the adrenal glands it is needed. This then increases heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, and a whole host of other bodily functions. If these go on working overtime for any great period then there can be harm done to the body at almost every level. By going on new and fun trips like exciting Orlando holidays to Disney Land or maybe beach-break American holidays, you’ll get some time away from your problems, get some distractions, and give your body a chance to rest. Believe it or not, many doctors and other medical professionals are now suggesting to their patients to take holidays as a method of combating stress.

Inhabiting the mountainous south and southwestern China, the Miao like to enjoy themselves during their happy holidays. They visit relatives and neighbors to sing, dance, and have big meals together. For young people, holidays are a good occasion to look for their significant other. Girls are especially beautiful on such occasions, with their huge sets of silver jewelry and embroidered garments.

The Miao New Year

Because they follow the lunar calendar, the Miao New Year can come in September, October, or November. Before the New Year, people give their house a general cleaning, and prepare some special food like rice wine, bean curd, and sticky rice paste. Women are happy with sewing new clothing for their family, especially for their children.

On New Year’s Eve, everybody stays up until midnight, then they light firecrackers to welcome dragons into their home. They will have a ceremony held after daybreak to worship their forebears. A cow is regarded as an auspicious animal, so its nose will be put some wine to show that people respect it. After breakfast, people go to their neighbors' home to say: "Happy New Year!".

On the first two days of the New Year, people are not allowed to cut wood on the mountains, or do cleaning work at home. Women won't cook, but men do.

Girls dress up with beautiful silver ornaments and embroidered garments to go to meet the boys. Some young fellows even go to other villages by walking to take part in various social activities.

The Miao make good use of the nine days of their new year. It's the golden time for young people to get married.

Huashan Festival

There are various Huashan, or “Flower Mountain,” festivals held in different Miao areas. Some are in August, and others are in January or May of the lunar calendar.

On that day, a pole is garnished with colorful flags and put at the heart of a playing field. At the top of the pole is a little red bag with bonus inside. A man declares the beginning of the festival, and a pole climbing game starts. The man who first reach the tip of the pole and catch the small bag, while playing his Lusheng instrument, will gain the reward. Climbing a pole while playing an instrument is quite difficult! Made from peeled pine timber, the pole is slender, smooth, and long. The champion will become the admiration of other people, especially the girls.

People can also enjoy other interesting games like archery and horse races, which are held at the same time. Women like to show others their outstanding sewing skills and the men compete with their pals to see who has the terrific physical strength.

Youngsters will at this time go out seeking for lovers. If they find someone they are interested in, they will give each other some presents, like a silver hairpin or waistband. Older people go to see friends, and may talk about many things like fishing and farming. The festival is over in the late evening.

Sister Festival: Miao Valentine’s Day

The Miao Sister Festival is also called Miao Valentine’s Day, as it’s a holiday for single women to invite young men from other villages to meet. The festival comes in mid-March of the lunar calendar.

On March 13th, Miao girls go to climb the mountains and look for some eatable flowers and leaves to dye their food. They then prepare sweet and colorful glutinous rice. The rice has five different colors. Blue typifies wealth, yellow stands for a good harvest, white indicates their true and pure love, green means their pretty hometown, and red hopes their village will go for prosperity.

The second day they go to fish mountain streams. In the afternoon they will buy a duck and duck eggs to prepare a big meal. The duck is needed because a swimming duck symbolizes the girls’ ability to meet men from the other side of the river.

In the evening, when the men finally come, they will dine together, then go outside to talk and sing songs to express their feelings. The girls will be sure to wear their most beautiful silver jewelry like silver bracelets, as this is a symbol of beauty and status in Miao culture.

Four days later, this Miao holiday is over. Various games and activities are held during this time, like horse races, bullfights, song competitions, and so on.

A basket of fish, meat and glutinous rice will be sent to the men by the girls before the men go back to their home. Some special things are put in the basket to show how they like the men. Cotton means they will always have their partner in their mind. A bunch of pine leaves implies they like to have some needles and thread. Pepper or garlic means the relationship won't work out.

The next year, when the men come again, they will bring some silk in these baskets for the girls.

Dragon Boat Festival

The Dragon Boat Festival falls on May 5 of the lunar calendar, and thousands of people gather together to watch the exciting boat races. The rival teams paddle their boats in the shape of dragons on a lake or river, with drums beaten and loud firecrackers set off from the banks.

April 8 Festival

The April 8th festival is held to remember the Miao’s hero Yanu, who died on this day while fighting against an invading tribe. The Miao will get together to hold traditional activities like playing Lusheng music, singing, and performing the lion dance.

Although living in the mountainous areas of south and southwestern China, the Miao ethnic group know how to enjoy life during their colorful and multiple holidays. They sing, dance, and prepare big meals to feast on with friends and neighbors. Holidays are also the best time for young people to look for their partners. Girls are especially beautiful on such occasions, with their huge sets of silver jewelry and embroidered garments.

The Miao New Year

Because they follow the lunar calendar, the Miao New Year can come in September, October, or November. Before the New Year, people have a general house-cleaning, and prepare special food like glutinous rice paste, rice wine, sausage, and bean curd. Women will make new clothes for their family members.

On New Year’s Eve, everybody stays up until midnight, then they light firecrackers to welcome dragons into their home. After daybreak, they will hold a ceremony to worship their ancestors. The nose of a cow is put on some wine to prove that people have respect for this hardworking animal. After breakfast, people visit neighbors to send New Year’s wishes and greetings.

On the first two days of the New Year, the Miao don’t do any cleaning work at home, and they are forbidden to chop wood on the mountains. Women won’t cook, but men do.

Girls dress up with beautiful silver ornaments like silver earrings and embroidered garments to go to meet the boys. Some young fellows even go to other villages by walking to take part in various social activities.

The Miao New Year lasts nine days. Many people have their weddings held during this time.

Huashan Festival

There are various Huashan, or “Flower Mountain,” festivals held in different Miao areas. Some are in January, while others are in May or August on the lunar calendar.

On that day, a pole decorated with colorful flags is set up in the center of a playground. At the top of the pole there is a small red bag with money inside. The pole climbing starts when a man announces the beginning of the festival. The man who first get to the top of the pole to take the small bag, and at the same time playing his Lusheng instrument, will win the reward. Climbing a pole while playing an instrument is quite difficult! The pole is smooth, tall, and slender because it's made of peeled pine wood. The champion will become the admiration of other people, especially the girls.

The exciting bullfights and horse races are also held during this festival. Women like to show each other their great sewing skills and the men are busy displaying their physical strength.

This is also good occasion for single young people to seek for lovers. If they find someone they are interested in, they will give each other some presents, like a silver hairpin or waistband. Older people go to visit friends and exchange their ideas about farming. The festival lasts until late in the evening.

Sister Festival: Miao Valentine’s Day

The Miao Sister Festival is also called Miao Valentine’s Day, as it’s a holiday for single women to invite young men from other villages to meet. The festival happens in mid-March on the lunar calendar.

On March 13th, girls go to select some particular leaves and flowers growing in the mountains to dye their food. Then they are busy with preparing colorful and sweet glutinous rice. The rice is characterized by its five distinctive colors. Green represents their lovely hometown, yellow implies a golden harvest, blue indicates rich, white stands for their true love, and red wishes their village will have a bright future.

The second day they go fishing to find some shrimp and fish. After get some duck and duck eggs, they will cook a big meal in the afternoon. The duck is needed because a swimming duck symbolizes the girls’ ability to meet men from the other side of the river.

In the evening, when the men finally come, they will dine together, then go outside to talk and sing songs to express their feelings. The girls will be sure to wear their most beautiful silver jewelry, as this is a symbol of beauty and status in Miao culture.

The holiday is over on March 17th. During this time, various activities and games like song competition and bullfights are held.

Before the men leave, the girls will give them bamboo baskets with glutinous rice, fish, meat, and duck eggs as presents. Some specific things are placed in the basket to show their feelings of the men. Cotton means they will miss their partner. A pack of pine leaves suggests that they want men to send them some needles and thread as present.

There are more interesting things about Miao Valentine's Day and other Miao holidays. Go to this website to learn more about Miao culture and see beautiful pictures of fine Miao silver ornaments.