Matador Network's Blog, page 726

Latino and women's history museums

A government funding bill passed Monday is dedicating a significant sum to establishing a National Museum of the American Latino and American Women’s History Museum, as part of the Smithsonian Institution.

In a statement Monday, Rep. Carolyn Maloney who championed the women’s history museum in the House, said, “Building a Smithsonian Women’s History Museum, a testament to the women who helped build and shape this nation, has been years in the making and I am thrilled that we are finally set to pass this historic legislation.”

Senator Bob Menendez echoed Maloney’s enthusiasm. “This is a big win for Latinos all across our country,” he said. “We will finally have a Latino Museum that elevates our stories and history.”

The best places to fat bike on snow

With tires more than twice the width of normal mountain bike tires, fat bikes have the traction they need to get through slippery terrain, be it sand or snow. In many outdoorsy and mountain towns — or simply places that get a whole lot of snow — they’ve become a preferred way to get around. But they are also a spectacular way to cover more ground while taking in outdoor scenery, and to get in a good workout at the same time. Here are some of the best places to do just that.

1. Alaska

Photo: Alan T Bassett/Shutterstock

Alaska may well be the place in the US where biking on snow first took hold. At least that is what Alaskans will tell you, pointing to the fact that cycling on snow is nothing new in the state. In addition to dog sleds, hundreds of bicycles were used to travel the state’s snowy expanses during its gold rush in the late 1890s. And while fat bikes weren’t actually invented in Alaska, Anchorage native Greg Matyas of Fatback Bikes is credited with many of the engineering upgrades that later became standard for all fat bikes.

With so much snow and so few roads, you won’t have any problem finding a place to fat bike in Alaska. Just outside Anchorage, you can ride with stunning coastal views and deep into the woods, where you’ll likely pass a moose or two; if you prefer a guided tour, the women-owned Alaska Trail Guides offers a three-hour guided fat bike tour along just some of Anchorage’s 150 miles of wooded trails. Similarly, Juneau is also full of mountain bike trails. Just note that in Alaska, you may find the best time to fat bike on the snow is actually early spring.

2. Wisconsin

Photo: Aaron of L.A. Photography/Shutterstock

Fat biking is so popular in Wisconsin that there have been several events dedicated to it throughout previous winters — from the Sweaty Yeti race on the excellent fat bike trails at the Levis Mount Recreational Area in Neillsville to the Fat Bike Birkie, which takes place on the same trails that are used for the American Birkebeiner Cross-Country Ski Race, one of the top nordic ski events anywhere. Pretty much anywhere you go in Wisconsin in the winter, you’ll find an excellent place for scenic fat biking nearby. Just north of Milwaukee you can bike over the glacier-cut hills of Kettle Moraine State Forest, and near Madison there’s Quarry Park almost in town, as well as Pleasant View, Dawley Park, and Badger Prairie Park nearby — to name but a few. Even all the way northwest in Washburn Country, the Wildcat Mountain Bike Trail is another place to sweat your way through the snow.

3. Colorado

Photo: marekuliasz/Shutterstock

Given Colorado’s fascination with mountain biking in the warmer months, the sheer number of fat bikes you will see there in winter should come as no surprise. There are also plenty of great places to do it. From Aspen to Vail to smaller, more isolated places like Telluride, Colorado’s mountain towns are awash in fat bikes, which are an excellent way to both get around and get exercise off the slopes. But Denver also gets its fair share of winter snow, and you’ll find plenty of fat bikes there as well. Try the bicycle loop path at Washington Park to get your footing before heading into the high country.

Another excellent place to enjoy fat biking is near Boulder, where you’ll find a huge amount of places renting fat bikes, as well as many outfits offering tours. If you want to head out on your own, the 5.5-mile-long Boulder Creek path is an easy and lovely ride along the creek for beginner fat bikers and the Doudy Draw Trail is a short trail that connects to plenty of single-track options and gives you a view of the Flatirons, one of our favorite Boulder hikes. For more experienced riders, Heil Valley Ranch outside Boulder is full of single-track trails that are even more fun with some snow on them.

4. Vermont

Photo: Vermont Mountain Bike Association/Facebook

Vermont is quite possibly our favorite place to fat bike in the Northeast, given all the opportunities to do so near one of its many ski resorts. You can ride on trails cut through the woods near Stowe, one of our absolute favorite ski resorts in North America, and near Stratton, one of the best resorts for beginner skiers. Beyond that, many regular mountain bike trails are maintained for optimal riding conditions throughout the winter. You can check in with the Vermont Mountain Bike Association for more information on where to do it. Yes, the wide tires of a fat bike are designed to get you over challenging ground conditions, but the fluffier the snow is, the more difficult it will be. If you want to ride out in the snow and want the paths to be a little more groomed, check out VMBA’s website for where to go.

5. Utah

Photo: White Pine Touring/Facebook

Since Moab is considered by many to be the capital of mountain biking, it’s little wonder that the state of Utah would be a great place for fat biking as well. But while you can fat bike in Moab, since fat bikes are great for dusty and sandy ground as well, the fat biking we are concerned with here involves using the extra traction that large tires give you to get across soft, slippery snow. And the place to find a lot of snow is in the Wasatch Mountains, home to multiple ski resorts from Alta and Snowbird to Deer Valley and Park City. But Park City isn’t just a ski resort; it’s also one of our favorite winter mountain towns. And it’s chock-full of trails to take your mountain bike. You can ride over the snow as you take in the view of the Wasatch Mountains and Park City below. If you need some guidance, head over to Park City’s White Pine Touring, which offers fat bike rentals as well as guided fat biking tours of the area.

6. Idaho

Photo: CSNafzger/Shutterstock

Few states are more rugged than Idaho, making it one of the better places best explored on a bike with extra-wide tires. Ketchum isn’t just one of the coolest small towns in the country, it’s right next to Sun Valley and more outdoor activities that you could do in a winter — among them fat biking. You could ride on the snow at the Big Wood Sports Park, at the Sun Valley Nordic area, or in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, which has so many options the biggest risk will be getting lost among the evergreens.

7. Maine

Photo: MLBailey/Shutterstock

Maine is a super choice for fat biking, and you can find rentals just about anywhere, from downtown Bangor or Portland. Rent in Bar Harbor and you can take your fat bike through the beautiful, snow-blanketed carriage roads of Acadia National Park. Or head to one of Maine’s ski resorts and rent bikes there. You can also rent fat bikes at ski resorts like Sugar Loaf, but the all-around coolest way to fat bike in winter in Maine may well be on its hut and trail system, where trails are groomed so that you can take your fat bike on them.

More like thisWinter SportsThe 9 most epic winter experiences to have in the Midwest

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National park free-entrance days

This year was a strange one for travel, even domestically. Hopefully 2021 will return to a semblance of normalcy, and that means epic trips to national parks. As always, the National Park Service is offering a series of free-entrance days for 2021, when all 423 NPS sites will be free of charge.

Usually, about a third of the parks charge an entrance fee ranging from $5 to $35, but on these special days that fee will be waived.

In 2021, the free-entrance days are:

January 18 (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day)
April 17 (first day of National Park Week)
August 4 (the one-year anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act)
August 25 (the birthday of the NPS)
September 25 (National Public Lands Day)
November 11 (Veterans Day)

Margaret Everson, acting director of the NPS, said in a press release, “Each of the fee-free days celebrates or commemorates a significant event. Throughout the country, every national park provides a variety of opportunities to get out in nature, connect with our common heritage and experience the vast array of benefits that come from spending time outdoors. Hopefully the fee-free days will encourage everyone to spend some time in their national parks.”

It’s also important to remember that more than 300 national parks do not have entrance fees, year-round.

More like thisParks + WildernessThe best national parks for every type of traveler

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COVID-19 cases in Antarctica

In addition to being the coldest, driest, and windiest continent, Antarctica also had the distinction of being the only continent without a single recorded COVID-19 case. Unfortunately, that’s no longer true. There’s recently been an outbreak at a Chilean research base, with 36 new infections recorded among members of the Chilean army and maintenance workers.

Those affected have been evacuated to the city of Punta Arenas in Chile, where they are all in isolation.

The Chilean army said in a statement, “Thanks to the timely preventive action … it was possible to relieve said personnel, who, after being subjected to a medical control and the administration of a PCR test … turned out to be positive for Covid-19.”

Keeping the virus out of Antarctica has come at the expense of research, and projects on the continent have all been paused. The harsh climate, remote location, and lack of sophisticated medical care, makes Antarctica a particularly dangerous place to fall ill.

The Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs wrote, “A highly infectious novel virus with significant mortality and morbidity in the extreme and austere environment of Antarctica with limited sophistication of medical care and public health responses is high risk with potential catastrophic consequences.”

More like thisCruisesWhat it’s really like to travel to the most inhospitable place in the world

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Is Seborga, Italy a principality?

It’s the story of a fledgeling kingdom, a struggle for independence, and a battle for royal authority. No, it’s not one of Shakespeare’s plays or the political backdrop of a medieval court. It’s the contemporary reality of Seborga, a small town in the region of Liguria in Italy. On paper, the 1,000-year-old village of 307 residents technically belongs to Italy. In the heads and hearts of the Seborgan people, however, it’s an independent principality governed by a duly elected monarch. And like many monarchs throughout history, Seborga’s prince must stay on high alert, for a pretender to the throne is actively looking to usurp his power.

Photo: Google Maps

Inaccessible by car, Seborga sits on a hill overlooking the Ligurian Sea. From the top of the hill there’s a view of three countries (four, if you count Seborga itself) — Italy, France, and Monaco. From this picturesque vantage point, it’s no surprise there’s a power struggle for the throne.

Town or principality?

Photo: Bart Poelaert/Shutterstock

Seborga is not officially recognized by the Italian government as an independent principality, but strolling around the town you could be forgiven for thinking otherwise. The village has its own flag — blue and white stripes with a red cross in the middle — its own coat of arms, and even its own Minister of Foreign Affairs.

To find the root of Seborga’s passionate independent streak, you have to go all the way back to 1079 when Seborga had its first prince. In that year, the Pope gave the local abbot the authority to call himself a prince, and that designation lasted until the Middle Ages, when the town became part of the feudal holdings of the Counts of Ventimiglia. In the 18th century Seborga was sold to what would later become Italy. By this time, it would seem that the history of princedom in Seborga was long dead with little hope of revival — until Seborgan Giorgio Carbone came onto the scene.

Photo: Stefy Morelli/Shutterstock

In 1963, Carbone discovered documents in the archives of the Vatican proving Seborga’s independent status. Before the Italian Unification in the mid-to-late 19th century, Seborga had been owned by Benedictine monks who had full jurisdiction over the village. They sold the town in the 1700s to the King of Sardinia, but the sale was never recorded in public records, so when the Unification happened, some argue Seborga shouldn’t have been included. This could mean that Seborga is independent from Italy. Given this revelation in 1963, it was only natural to bring back the title of prince, and a worthy man to fill it. At the time, this man was Carbone himself. He became the first prince of Seborga in the modern era and gave himself the name of Giorgio I.

Once Carbone was declared prince, the town adopted its own constitution and national anthem, appointed ministers and representatives abroad, and resumed the use of its traditional white and blue flag.

Unlike other governments ruled by a sovereign, Seborga’s prince is elected rather than appointed by divine right, and serves seven-year terms. The current prince is Marcello Menegatto, a former professional speedboat racer who was first elected in 2010 and then reelected seven years later.

The royal struggle

Photo: McoBra89/Shutterstock

Life isn’t all tranquil in Seborga. In 2016, a French man named Nicolas Mutte mounted a challenge to Prince Marcello. Mutte proclaimed himself “His Serene Highness Nicolas I” and advocated for Seborga’s secession from Italy.

This idea of secession isn’t new to Seborga. It goes back to the 1960s and the election of Giorgio Carbone as the first prince. Carbone, after all, initially rose to popularity by spearheading a liberation campaign and claiming Seborga’s independence.

While Seborga may have an affinity for autonomy, it doesn’t mean it’s prepared to overthrow kid beloved prince. Aspiring to the throne, Mutte has claimed to have received messages of support from town residents, and criticized Prince Marcello for focusing too heavily on tourism efforts. Tourism, however, is crucial to the Seborgan economy, and the efforts to attract visitors were part of the reason Marcello was elected. He opened several restaurants and souvenir shops, and once a year the royal couple rides through town in a carriage in a parade with uniformed guards. The national anthem plays when they arrive in the center of town, and at the end Prince Marcello signs autographs for visitors.

Mutte takes issue with the exploitation of Seborga’s royal tradition for tourism revenue. He hasn’t yet laid siege to the town in person, but continues to mount virtual attacks on the sitting prince seeking to stir up dissent.

Through his website, Mutte has appointed a shadow government of foreign emissaries and a 13-person cabinet. He also regularly puts out messages on his website criticizing Prince Marcello, and speaking to the perceived frustrations of the Seborgan people.

“You voted for the renaissance of the principality,” he said in one video, “you dreamt about the creation of a modern and efficient economy. But unfortunately, your desires and dreams haven’t been satisfied. Your hopes have been crushed by the folklore of my predecessor. He has only served you little banquets.”

He also took advantage of Prince Marcello’s trip to India in 2016 to claim that the prince had abandoned the town.

Striking back, the prince accused Mutte of impersonating the prince of Seborga and appropriating town symbols, and even got Twitter to remove his account.

The battle for Seborga still rages on. It hasn’t yet escalated to physical conflict, but if we’ve learned anything from history, it’s that men will stop at nothing to sit on the throne.

More like thisTravelThe best place to go in Italy for every type of traveler

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Three airlines will mandate COVID-19 testing for London-New York flights

Due to a new and highly contagious strain of COVID-19 spreading in the United Kingdom, three airlines will now require all passengers from the UK to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport to test negative before flying.

The new strain is not considered deadlier than other strains, but it’s up to 70 percent more contagious, leading to growing case numbers in the UK. In response, countries around the world have temporarily halted flights from the UK. The United States hasn’t taken that step yet, but airlines are taking matters into their own hands with a new testing program.

Delta, Virgin Atlantic, and British Airways announced on Monday that PCR tests will be required before passengers will be allowed to fly to the US. The new procedures are the result of a request from Governor Andrew Cuomo, who is seeking to minimize the spread of COVID-19 in New York.

A Delta spokesperson said, “All Delta customers traveling from the U.K. to New York will be required to take a PCR test 72 hours prior to departure adding another layer of safety when they travel. Delta will work closely with the Governor’s office in the coming days to implement his request.”

British Airways plans to implement the new testing policy on December 22, while Virgin Atlantic and Delta will begin testing on December 24. Passengers planning to depart the UK this week are urged to check airlines’ websites for the most up-to-date information.

More like thisNewsAre masks really protecting travelers from COVID-19 on planes?

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5 routes into Germany's outdoors

You know about the culture-rich capitals of European art and history. You know about the charming UNESCO-designated villages and the medieval old towns. But how about Germany’s rolling vineyards, steaming volcanic landscapes, chalky-white cliffs, seaside islands, snow-capped peaks, or the green “ribbon of friendship?” The country’s outdoors are vast and varied, and the travel possibilities nearly endless.

Use the itineraries below to explore the nation’s best landscapes by theme, diving you deep into what stokes the brightest embers of your wanderlust. When you’re ready to travel again, which route will be your #1?

Itinerary #1: Baden Wine Route

Vineyards of Staufenberg Castle in Baden. Photo: GNTB

The Baden Wine Route runs between Baden-Baden — so good they named it twice — and Weil am Rhein at the Swiss border, passing through some of Germany’s most superlative vineyards. As you wind your way through the scenic, undulating landscapes of regions like Kraichgau and Ortenau, Breisgau and Markgräflerland (the “Tuscany of Germany”), Kaiserstuhl and Tuniberg, you can sample world-class Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir), Riesling, and Müller Thurgau at the many traditional taverns, known colloquially as “Besen” or “Straussen,” often directly connected to vineyards.

Naturally, there are scores of quiet villages with well-maintained half-timbered houses, medieval old towns, and soaring churches en route, as well as larger cities like Heidelberg and Freiburg. Accommodation ranges from upscale hotels to more traditional B&Bs, including one place that’s turned eight 8,000-liter wine barrels into hotel rooms (Schlafen im Weinfass, in Sasbachwalden). Dining options similarly range from rustic inns serving Swabian specialties like Maultaschen (stuffed ravioli) and Spätzle (cheese noodles) to Michelin-starred spots. The best time to visit is spring or fall, but you’ll find wine festivals, cellar tours, and other wine-related events throughout the year.

Itinerary #2: German Alpine Road

Berchtesgaden. Photo: GNTB / Francois Thierens

A good option for the altitude aficionados, the German Alpine Road is one of Germany’s most classic travel routes. It meanders for an impressive 310 miles through some of Bavaria’s finest scenery — from pretty Lindau on Lake Constance to Berchtesgaden on Lake Königssee — taking in some of the country’s most prominent peaks along the way.

In addition to tracing the winding Oberjoch Pass, visitors can gaze at the stunning Ammergauer Alps, admire the famous Zugspitze and Watzmann (two of Germany’s highest mountains), and explore the alpine Berchtesgaden National Park, with its wealth of wildlife and waterfalls. Needless to say, the route presents endless opportunities for adventure, with numerous cycling, hiking, and climbing routes, and winter and watersports aplenty at ski resorts and alpine lakes. But there’s a fair dose of culture and history on offer as well, including major sites like the medieval abbeys at Benediktbeuern and Ettal, the UNESCO World Heritage Wieskirche pilgrimage church, and the fairytale palaces of Neuschwanstein and Herrenchiemsee.

Itinerary #3: Bergstrasse Holiday Route

Odenwald. Photo: Shutterstock/Reinhard Frank

At just 50 miles long, the Bergstrasse Holiday Route might be one of Germany’s shorter itineraries, but don’t be deceived — it still packs a rambunctious punch. Named after the area through which it travels, located south of Frankfurt in the Hesse region, the route traverses mostly mountainous terrain along the edge of Odenwald, a UNESCO Global Geopark crisscrossed with hiking trails, down to the southwestern state of Baden-Württemberg.

Despite the name (“berg” means “mountain” or “hill” in German) the scenery is varied, spanning picturesque vineyards, quaint villages like Zwingenberg, and several significant castles, palaces, and abbeys — not least the splendid UNESCO Abbey of Lorsch, with its Carolingian gatehouse. Meanwhile, the renowned city of Heidelberg holds castle ruins as well as a slew of contemporary museums and art galleries. Darmstadt’s Art Nouveau buildings are worth making a stop for, as is historic Worms, one of Germany’s oldest cities. Look out for delicious regional produce along the way, including culinary events like the Darmstadt Heinerfest, in July, and annual wine festivals in towns like Hähnlein and Bensheim.

Itinerary #4: German Volcanoes Route

Rursee Lake in Eifel National Park. Photo: Shutterstock/r.classen

You don’t have to be a geology nerd to enjoy this unique 175-mile journey through Germany’s Eifel region — a love of landscapes and a passion for nature will suffice. That said, you might well be a volcano expert by the time you leave, since the area, which lies loosely between Bonn and Trier in Western Germany, is the most geologically active in the country. Its 39 main stops (and 350 eruption sites) feature a dramatic array of crater lakes and sinkholes, cinder cones and lava flows.

Thankfully, the Cenozoic-era volcanoes that left their mark on the area have been dormant for around 10,000 years, but there are still some bubbling pools and spurting geysers to admire. And don’t miss sights like the Romanesque Maria Laach Abbey in the village of Glees (a slight detour but worthwhile), the Römerbergwerk Meurin (Roman Mine Museum) near Kruft, and the Lava Dome museum (Deutsches Vulkanmuseum) in Mendig, which allows visitors to descend 105 feet underground to explore the “volcano cellars.” Active travelers can head for the Rhineland-Palatinate’s Hohe Acht, the region’s most beloved mountain, with walking paths and great skiing options in winter.

Itinerary #5: Green Route (Route Verte)

Black Forest. Photo: GNTB / Günter Standl

The Green Route was created as a symbol of European unity in an area historically contested between France and Germany, and is hence also known as the “ribbon of friendship.” It traverses the verdant forests and undulating landscapes of the Alsace and Lorraine regions in France, as well as Baden-Württemberg in Germany, matching over 150 miles of natural scenery to a wealth of gastronomy, culture, and history. Wine- producing villages on both sides of the German-French border house Michelin-starred restaurants as well as cozy wine taverns, while vibrant cities like Freiburg hold world-class museums for those rainy days.

The “green” of the route’s title is a reference to the abundant forest landscape that surrounds it, which includes the Vosges, Kaiserstuhl, and Black Forest mountain ranges — all perfect for outdoor adventure, with plenty of hiking and cycling routes. Downhill or cross-country ski at Hinterzarten, or get on the water at Titisee-Neustadt, but definitely leave time to simply sit and enjoy the view.

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What is the Dongzhi Festival

While the return of the light is the star of the show in winter solstice celebrations throughout the world, the Dongzhi Festival (observed in China, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan and Vietnam) is one of the most beautiful — and meaningful. Taking its origins in Imperial China, the Dongzhi Festival doesn’t look exactly like it did 2,000 years ago, but the underlying meaning remains the same. It’s a time to bond with family; nourish the body with rice balls, meat dumplings, and hearty soups; and celebrate the changes that are on the horizon.

What is the Dongzhi Festival?

The Dongzhi Festival is a one-day celebration that occurs every year on the winter solstice, between December 21 and 23. Dongzhi is a Chinese word that can mean either “winter’s extreme” or “winter’s arrival.”

The festival is rooted in the ancient philosophy of yin and yang, which represents harmony and balance in the universe. On the dark winter solstice, negative yin energy is at its peak. From that point on, positive yang energy will grow as spring approaches and the daylight hours lengthen.

The festival originated in China during the Han Dynasty. During that time, the lunar calendar was an essential part of everyday life because people relied on the seasons to survive. The winter solstice indicated the coming of a warmer climate and an easing of life conditions.

Today, it’s celebrated by Chinese, Taiwanese, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese people around the world.

Traditional Dongzhi Festival activities

In Imperial China, family clans visited their ancestral temples to worship and make offerings to their deceased relatives. Afterward, families gathered to cook and have a lavish dinner together.

While the tradition of worshipping ancestors has faded away in most regions, it’s still a central component of the Dongzhi Festival in Taiwan, Shanghai, and the southern coast of China. Families sweep and repair the graves of their deceased loved ones, pray, burn incense, and offer food.

Nowadays, the Dongzhi Festival is most often a relatively low-key affair. Some villages organize public events with performances, art displays, food stalls, and more. However, the festival is mostly a private celebration. The main event is reuniting with family to cook and enjoy a warm, hearty meal.

Culinary traditions of the Dongzhi Festival throughout Asia

In Southern China, people make, eat, and gift tangyuan (small, chewy balls made of glutinous rice flour). The Taiwanese, Vietnamese, and overseas Chinese populations also incorporate tangyuan into the festival.

Tangyuan can either be plain or contain sweet or savory fillings. No matter what, they’re always served in warm broth or syrup, which is important because, on their own, tangyuan are rather bland. Traditional tangyuan is white, but nowadays, it’s popular to dye them bright colors like pink, green, and yellow. Exact recipes vary between regions and even between families, but it’s most often served as a dessert. A common preparation is to place the balls into a syrup made of sweet pandan leaves, ginger, and sugar.

Photo: Romix Image/Shutterstock

The practice of eating tangyuan during the Dongzhi Festival began as a way for the less wealthy to participate in the celebrations. They couldn’t afford the filling foods traditionally served, like meat, so they made tangyuan instead. The roundness of the balls and the bowls used to serve them symbolize unity and family togetherness, a key element of the Dongzhi Festival. Tangyuan is very similar to the Chinese word tuanyuan, which means reunion.

For a while, the Dongzhi Festival marked the start of the new year. Even though Chinese New Year (celebrated in February) has now surpassed the Dongzhi Festival in importance and popularity, some people celebrate it as the “Little New Year.” There’s a saying that when you eat tangyuan, you become a year older. South Koreans have a similar saying about their traditional winter solstice food, patjuk (red bean porridge).

Photo: ungsu han/Shutterstock

Along with preparing tangyuan, the Taiwanese make nine-layer cakes — glutinous rice cakes steamed in the shapes of animals that bring good luck such as chickens, tortoises, and pigs — to give as offerings to their ancestors. According to the Taiwanese, the winter solstice is the best time to rest and restore the body with high-fat and high-yang medicinal foods like mutton soup and ginseng.

In Northern China, people eat dumplings stuffed with lamb or other meats. They also include warming ingredients like ginger and garlic. This custom comes from an old Han Dynasty tale. After seeing the poor struggling to stay warm in the cold, famous doctor Zhang Zhongjing fed them ear-shaped dumplings to keep their ears from getting frostbite. To this day, some say that your ears will freeze off if you don’t eat dumplings during the festival.

In Japan, people eat foods that end with the Japanese “n,” such as ninjin (carrots) and renkon (lotus roots). These foods are said to bring good luck because the “n” sound is reminiscent of the word un (fortune). “N” is also the last character of the Japanese alphabet. This is fitting for the winter solstice, which signifies the end of dark times. The Japanese also use the citrus fruit yuzu in their winter solstice traditions but not for feasting. Instead of using them in their cuisine, they bathe in a yuzu-scented hot spring to cleanse and warm the body.

More like thisCultureCandles, yuzu baths, and red-bean porridge: 9 ways the world celebrates the winter solstice

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Ursid meteor shower December 2020

The holiday season typically refers to Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and New Year’s, but that’s not all we’re celebrating this month. The Ursid meteor shower is peaking on the evening of December 21 and into the morning of December 22, coinciding directly with the winter solstice.

The shower originates from the Ursa Minor (Little Dipper) constellation, with meteors streaking across the sky all night. It occurs when Earth passes close to the orbit of comet 8P/Tuttle, and this year that pass includes several trails of debris that follow the comet, perhaps leading to more activity during the shower.

Unfortunately, since the moon will be 50 percent full, you might not have a great view of this shower. For the best chance at a memorable show, wait for the moon to set around 12:30 AM ET on December 22, then watch the sky for about an hour. That’s when the meteor shower should be peaking. It’s also advised to look about halfway up in the sky, rather than straight up, since that’s where the meteors will be traveling.

Also keep an eye out for the “Christmas Star” on December 21 — a phenomenon wherein Jupiter and Saturn align so closely in the night sky that they appear to collide, creating a point of light, it’s called a “Christmas star.”

More like thisOutdoorThe best places to see the northern lights in the continental United States

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Best LGBTQ businesses in the US

December might be billed as “the most wonderful time of the year,” but in 2020, Santa’s bringing a mixed bag of emotions down the chimney.

No one knows this better than LGBTQ Americans, who experienced significant setbacks since the pandemic began. Last spring, the HRC Foundation released data showing that LGBTQ people were more likely to experience a cut in work hours due to the pandemic and feel their finances are in worse shape compared to last year.

LGBTQ folx aren’t strangers to hard times — if anything, they’re masters at surviving bouts of poverty and disease. Still, with support from fellow community members, queer people can do better than mere survival.

According to a recent report by the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce, the queer community accounts for $917 billion in annual spending power — which is enough money to make 12,226 remakes of Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again, in case you were wondering. But Unlike ABBA, who thinks “money must be funny in a rich man’s world,” the way LGBTQ folx decide to spend is no laughing matter.

This season, queer your holiday cheer by supporting LGBTQ-owned independent businesses. The gutsy entrepreneurs who run these mom & mom and pop & pop shops are an integral part of queer communities around the US. Buying gifts from their stores is like investing in a queer future, and after the year we’ve all had, there’s no better present than a rainbow-colored tomorrow.

Here’s a non-exhaustive list of some of the most fabulous retail stores for unique finds in the US.

1. For apparel, houseware, and apothecary — Otherwild, Los Angeles, CA

Photo: Otherwild/Facebook

This queer-owned store in the Los Feliz section of LA is hipster bait for LGBTQ folx and feminists. Since opening in 2012, Otherwild has also become an event space and gathering place for multidisciplinary artists and queer people thanks to owner Rachel Berks.

Although the storefront is currently closed, you can still shop Berk’s assemblage of art, apparel, and home decor online. A couple of favorites include a steel-cut “female support system,” where a woman’s arms act as hooks for hanging jewelry, and Silvia Prada’s “Tom,” an art book that gives Tom of Finland’s rough-and-tumble sex symbols a feminine twist. Most people will recognize Berks’ much-beloved “The Future is Female” t-shirt, which caught the internet by storm in 2016. Her new designs are equally fashion-forward: A unisex cotton tee that says “gender is a drag” sells for $20 US, and a portion of the proceeds goes to The National Center for Transgender Equality.

2. For the perfect t-shirt — Homoco, Brooklyn, NY

Photo: HOMOCO

This all-gender summerwear brand has enough versatile tops and power bottoms to turn your closet into a Tencel orgy. If you’re wondering what Tencel is, it’s a super-silky fiber made from the wood pulp of sustainably harvested trees. Homoco uses it to make their warm-weather shirts.

Homoco’s line of travel t-shirts — which flaunt queer destinations like Fire Island, upstate New York, and Palm Springs — are the perfect gifts for your favorite wanderlust fairy. They pair well with HOMOCO’s swim trunks, which feature eye-popping prints and are made from recycled plastic. A portion of the sales goes to ocean conservation and queer rights advocacy groups.

3. For adult toys — Feelmore Adult Gallery, Oakland, CA

Photo: Feelmore/Facebook

If you’re still looking for love in the time of quarantine, it’s time to find the intimate adult toy to get you through the lonely winter ahead. Nenna Joiner (they/them), the face of Oakland’s only Black-owned sex shop, has been busy providing folx a safe place to pick out their ideal silicone device since the pandemic began. But Joiner is much more than a sex-toy seller — they’re an advocate for destigmatizing sex work and helping fellow queer folx find pleasure. The best part? If you live in the Bay Area, you can get your purchases delivered to your door via Postmates, which means it’s possible for locals to get their XXX-mas presents under the tree before Christmas.

4. For vintage homeware and collectibles — BLK MKT Vintage, Brooklyn, NY

Photo: BLK MKT Vintage/Facebook

Jannah Handy and Kiyanna Stewart are the lesbian couple behind this Brooklyn vintage shop celebrating Black history. Their curiosities range from furniture and home decor to vintage prints and vinyl. Finds like this afro pick from the 1970s or this South American textile embroidered with animals are unique items that you’ll unlikely locate elsewhere. While visiting the Bed-Stuy store is a worthy experience, you can also shop their collection online. Either way, if 2020 taught LGBTQ America anything, it was the importance of supporting queer spaces that center Black lives and honor Black culture. It’s time to put your money where your black square on Instagram is.

5. For last-minute stocking stuffers — Show and Tell, Oakland, CA

Photo: Show and Tell Concept Shop/Facebook

Look no further for great stocking stuffers that cover 2021’s must-haves. With a Bauhaus-inspired soap set, tye-dye socks, holiday-themed face masks, and this Boifriend candle, you’ll be ready to weather whatever storm comes your way next year. Founded in 2011 by Alyah Baker to celebrate the LGBTQ and BIPOC communities, Show and Tell is an Oakland-based retailer that sells a selection of sustainable, ethically made goods at reasonable prices.

6. For hip threads — DfrntPigeon, Portland, OR

Photo: Dfrntpigeon/Facebook

This Portland-based brand isn’t all about clothes — they’re all about community; the hip threads are a happy byproduct. The business, run by New Avenues for Youth, helps at-risk young folx develop their creative skills by paying them to design and manage DfrntPigeon with mentorship from creative professionals.

DfrtPigeon’s message of radical inclusivity is evident in its everyBODY tee, which celebrates all sexualities, genders, abilities, and ages. Queer folx will get a kick out of their homage to the mythic first brick thrown at Stonewall, included in the store’s extensive Pride-themed collection.

7. For gender-neutral clothes — The Phluid Project, New York, NY

Photo: The Phluid Project/Facebook

When the Phluid Project opened a Soho shop in 2018, it became Manhattan’s first gender-neutral retailer. The clothes were divided by “tops” and “bottoms” instead of “men” and

“women” to ensure everyone knew the unisex styles were for everybody with every body. But the storefront became too expensive for founder Rob Garrett Smith to maintain, and it moved to an online-only shopping experience in late 2019.

Luckily, this was just the beginning for Smith’s store. The Phluid Project is now expanding its line of beauty products in addition to clothing and offers everything from a comfy “Be Kind hoodie” and multi-color knit harness to a glittery lip gloss called Unicorn Snot. Even as a virtual store, this is a necessary addition to the fashion market. The Phluid Project is a space where trans, nonbinary, and queer individuals can shop for products that give them a chance to feel comfortable in their skin.

8. For comics and collectables — Zeus Comics, Dallas, TX

Photo: Zeus Comics and Collectibles Inc/Facebook

Fans of Batwoman, Hulkling, Loki, and Northstar should head to Zeus Comics — a specialty shop in Dallas with a sizable LGBTQ following. The queer-friendly staff regularly hosts experiences that amplify the voices of marginalized communities in the comic book ecosystem, including women and LGBTQ folx. Although these indoor gatherings are on hiatus due to COVID-19, you can support the business by shopping online. If you’re unwilling to wait for the next LGBTQ mixer or book club, check out Zeus’s original web series, The Variants, to get a feel for owner Richard Neal and the community he created.

9. For books — Outwords Books, Gifts, and Coffee, Milwaukee, WI

There are only a handful of LGBTQ-specific bookstores left in the US, and this Milwaukee literary lab is one of the lucky few. Outwords carries the type of books and gifts you’ll be hard-pressed to find in Barnes & Noble. Calendars featuring the Bel Ami boys aren’t regularly lining the shelves next to this year’s steamiest queer romance novels in a corporate book emporium. If you’re less a novel Nancy and more a podcast queen, you can still support the shop: The space boasts a cozy coffee bar with baked goods where patrons can sip lattes and listen to whatever their heart desires.

10. For more books and online events — The Bureau of General Services, Queer Division, New York, NY

Photo: Bureau of General Services-Queer Division/Facebook

Although gay bars abound in New York City, there’s only one queer bookstore, and its site at the LGBT Community Center in Greenwich Village is temporarily closed due to the pandemic. The Bureau is an all-volunteer project that relies on sales and donations to cover the cost of business, and this year, they could use extra help from the community at large. You can either donate to the organization, order books online, or attend their TELL events on Zoom, which highlight the voices of LGBTQ storytellers every month.

Much like a gay bar, the Bureau provides a safe space to connect — only here, connection doesn’t end with a hangover. According to its website, the Bureau aims to “excite and educate a self-confident, sex-positive, and supportive queer community by offering books, publications, and art and by hosting readings, performances, film screenings, book discussion groups, and workshops.”

11. Support small-scale shops and artists on Etsy

Get witchy with this queer tarot deck by jcaress Studio, redecorate your wall space with Pittsburgh-based designer Mundania Horvath’s , or gift someone Felix d’Eon’s erotic LGBTQ . You can get a reasonably priced bespoke suit from Jean Pierre Nugloze’s N’Kossi Boutique or 3D printed earrings designed by Xiomara Lorenzo, too. The list goes on for pages — search “queer artists” on Etsy and you can go down a queer k-hole of your own.

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