Easter customs

Easter is upon us! Easter Week began this past weekend with Palm Sunday and culminates in weekend commemorations of Good Friday, Easter Saturday, Easter Sunday, and in some countries Easter Monday. Around the world, different cultures, countries, communities, and sects have their own traditions to celebrate the Easter holiday.

As Catholics and Protestants gather in churches across the globe to commemorate the resurrection of Christ, people everywhere are celebrating in their own ways by eating chocolate bunnies, going on Easter egg hunts and flying kites. 

1) BERMUDA: Bermudians celebrate Good Friday by flying home-made kites, eating codfish cakes, and eating hot cross buns. According to Bermuda-Online.org, the tradition is said to have begun when a local teacher from the British Army had difficulty explaining Christ’s ascension to Heaven to his Sunday school class. He made a kite, traditionally shaped like a cross, to illustrate the Ascension. The traditional Bermuda kites are made with colorful tissue paper, long tails, wood, metal, and string.

2) NORWAY: Norwegians have an interesting tradition for the season known for “Easter-Crime” or Paaskekrim. At this time of year, many around the country read mystery books or watch the televised crime detective series on national television, according to The Norway Post. Many families escape up to the mountains for the vacation week beginning the Friday before Palm Sunday and ending the Tuesday after Easter Monday. When spending time in a ski cabin in the mountains, a popular past time is playing Yahtzee, according to About.com. The image below shows Norwegian mystery novels in display during the Easter holiday.

3) EUROPE: In parts of Northwestern Europe large bonfires, called Easter Fires, are lit on Easter Sunday and Monday. While there are various explanations for the origin of the Easter Fires, the most common Saxon tale is that Easter is a time when spring becomes victorious over winter and the fires were to chase the darkness of winter away. Today, however, the meaning of the fires is simply to bring communities together. The nights are festive with heavy consumption of gin, lager, and snacks.

the palace

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xluNriWk0ko&list=PLBSPv-sNk8aZEQAHRFUjbtFjiuQnwK_Mj

speaking 1

Retelling and conversation
The Palace
 What are they doing ?028
Bishop 
What does the expression stone deaf mean for you?
Why does he say his body might be allergic to opera?
lure
What does the woman say about the house of innocents?
Why do you think she says: I was born to shirk your responsibilities?
What does pledge fidelity mean?
What can you say about what's he's feeling when he sees the empty King's chair?
Could you catch the meaning of bear the allegiance, heirs, mourn?
What does the Queen say in this part?10.22
What're people doing? 11
Would she ever do anything to hurt his brother?
Hang on  Marshalls
What does he mean when he says: You're touching his stuff?

Tourism 1

1.        Three people are going to visit São Paulo city. Look at their descriptions and give suggestions from the text or your own ideas using can or should.

a)     Theresa: I am going to visit São Paulo city on my next vacation with 2 friends. We like to go out at night to dance and to have fun in nice restaurants. Where should we go?

	b)      Brian: I'll visit São Paulo next weekend. I like quiet places. I don't like big crowds. I like to go for a walk and have contact with nature. Where should I go?

 

	c)      Diana: I'm going to visit São Paulo next month. My mom lives there. I like to go shopping and buy different things. I like to know about culture and learn different things.

 

	d)     Kelly: I’m going to be in S.P. for two weeks and I’m still having lots doubts about what should I bring with me. I mean what kinds of clothing and objects? Should I bring a camera? Should I bring lots of Money? And what kinds of transportation should I use to make my tour easier and comfortable?

	e)

William: I’m so excited! I’m going to travel to São Paulo City next weekend. But my friends told me that it’s a very dangerous place, especially at night. So I’m wondering… what kind of precautions should I take?

Tourism 2

How important is tourism in your country?

What is the biggest tourist destination in your country?

What are the benefits of international tourism? Are there any drawbacks?

Do you prefer tourism package tours or do you prefer to plan your own vacations? Why?

Is it better to go to popular tourist destinations or lesser known tourist destinations? Why?

Should a government try to improve domestic tourism or try to attract international tourists instead? Why?

What’s the best way to travel when you visit a country? Train, car, bicycle, bus, some other way? Why?

If you could create a tourism slogan for your country, what would it be?

What’s the best way for a country to bring in more tourists?

How do you feel about tourists who visit your country?

Tourism

Speaking