How was New Year’s Eve in your neck of the woods?
If you were a little disappointed with how it turned out, don’t wait a full year before your next opportunity for end of year shenanigans. Just hop on a plane/train/taxi or chartered donkey and head overseas to intercept the coming of the new year in a different culture.
Chinese New Year kicks off on February 7 in 2008. Welcome to the Year of the Rat.
Around March 21, the Persian New Year or Nowruz is celebrated in Iran and across Central Asia. The traditional meal is Sabzi Polo Mahi, rice with green herbs and fish.
The indigenous Maori people of New Zealand celebrate Matariki or Maori New Year on June 5 2008. In the 21st century Matariki has been celebrated with renewed interest.
The Ethiopian New Year or Enkutatash falls on September 11. Because the Ethiopian calendar is seven years behind the western calendar, the Millennium was only celebrated in Ethiopia last year.
That’s by no means a definitive list. Let us know about other opportunities for celebrating the New Year in other cultures and countries.
Thanks to kenyaoa on Flickr for the pic of Times Square