Destinations
A Quiet Bethlehem This 2020 Christmas Celebration

Sans the influx of tourists in the historical birthplace of Christ, a quiet Bethlehem community gets to experience a renewal in faith over a boom in business.
Prior to the pandemic, the Palestinian city located in occupied West Bank was always filled with visiting tourists who wanted to experience walking in the land of Jesus Christ’s official birthplace. In the past, those who wanted to visit the Church of the Nativity were forced to maneuver through the crowds teeming the streets of Bethlehem. This year, however, a quiet Bethlehem becomes largely part of the massive lockdown and quarantine restrictions imposed to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
Nevertheless, the absence of tourists is an opportunity for renewal, says Father Rami Asakrieh, the parish priest of Bethlehem. “Sometimes there are more than half million people who arrive in this period to visit the Nativity Church,” he recounts.

During the days leading to Christmas, however, the Church of the Nativity has been so silent, devoid of the yearly visiting faithful who traditionally visited Bethlehem from all over the world. A quiet Bethlehem, then, is a new thing for the community as locals are used to the noisy throng of commuters and visitors who annually arrived during the holiday season.
Armenian prayers are recited by four (4) monks below the Grotto of the Nativity, echoing through the typically crowded vicinity. Even during this year’s Christmas Eve, the most essential part of the celebration, the church was closed to the public. The lack of yearly visits from Palestinian authority representatives starkly reiterated the difference of this year’s celebration, as well.
“It has never happened before,” contemplates Asakrieh, as he mentions that the only times that the church was forced to close its doors were during periods of uprisings and Palestinian intifadas that were done in protest against Israel’s continued occupation.

“I think that this Christmas is different because people are not busy with the external manifestations of the feast,” the priest shares, referring to the customary purchasing of gifts and the conduct of extravagant get-togethers that have long been linked to Christmas celebrations. “Now (people) have the time, and they are obligated, to concentrate on the essential… the theological spirit of Christmas,” he expressed. “Less business, but more religion,” Asakrieh continues.
During the days leading up to Christmas, the chapel of Saint Catherine, a small one that is next to the Church of the Nativity was made open to the local Bethlehem public. Amid a distinctively quiet Bethlehem atmosphere, many of the local faithful turned up as they donned their Sunday’s best.
One of them was Nicolas al-Zoghbi who mentions that the usual joy of the Christmas season was replaced by the overall feeling of depression. He shares that his son is among those who have lost their jobs due to the pandemic. “We hope the Lord will destroy corona, just get rid of it so we can return to our previous life,” states al-Zoghbi who is now in his 70s.

The city’s economy is hugely reliant on the annual influx of visitors who purchase items like rosaries and other Nativity-based trinkets from the shops and stands that pepper the place. Thus, a quiet Bethlehem during this holiday season signifies a highly decreased income for those who rely on the earnings that used to be generated from these yearly tourist visits.
Destinations
Unforgettable Adventures to Know About For Lovers and Family Alike

Going on a shared adventure is a well-known way to strengthen relationships. Whether you want to get to know your lover better or want to enhance your family bonds, it’s worth taking some time out of your normal day to go on an adventure. As you plan an unforgettable adventure, it helps to use these ideas that lead to memorable experiences.
Plan a Romantic Escape
If you’ve ever watched a couple run off into the sunset together on horseback, then you already have an idea of how this adventure can inspire romance. Take a moment to picture you and your beloved one riding on horseback together in a gorgeous landscape setting. Most horseback riding adventures last from one to two hours. You can use this time to admire each other’s beauty along with the amazing scenery.
Make Memories With Family-Friendly Fun
Sometimes, you want to bring your kids along on an adventure. In this case, horseback riding taps into your child’s love of animals. Plus, they’ll have an adventure that they won’t be able to wait to tell their friends about. Family-friendly horseback riding adventures can be shorter when you have children under eight years old in our group. Taking them for a short walk around a lake helps them gain confidence on the horse for the first time. Soon, you can bet your child will ask to do it again as they develop more skills.
Explore the Beauty of Nature Together
The best adventures take you out of your comfort zone and encourage you to experience things you might not get to enjoy during your daily life. Exploring the outdoors on horseback involves multiple changes of scenery. On your ride, your guide might take you through a stream crossing. You may also go down an old log road as you learn more about the history of the area. As you ride, remember to keep an eye out for wildlife such as deer and wild turkeys that further give you and your companions a deeper appreciation of nature.
Establish Unforgettable Bonds
Sharing unique adventures helps to reinforce your bond with your loved one by showing you new aspects of their personality. Watching as your loved one sits atop a horse may give you more insight into their strength and willingness to try new things. You’ll also enjoy sharing the memories of the beautiful things you saw and experienced together. Making sure that your adventure stands out from your daily activities further heightens the positive effects of your shared experience. To create even stronger bonds, consider turning your adventure into an overnight rusting camping trip that gives you more time to spend together without the intrusion of phone screens.
Once you’re enjoying your adventure, remember to leave some time in your day to share your thoughts about the experience. Talking to your partner or family member about your favorite parts of going horseback riding or on a carriage ride helps to strengthen your memories. In fact, you might even find that you look forward to repeating your adventure on future dates such as your anniversary or a family member’s birthday.
Destinations
Vacation Ideas Based On 2018’s Oscar-Nominated Films
Amazing vacation ideas inspired by the settings of some of the best films of 2017.

2017 was a great year in movies. So many amazing films made by some of the best directors and actors of our generation. And a lot of them were set in very cool places too! So when planning your next vacation, why not consider the settings of some of your favorite movies of the year? Here are the 6 best vacation spots that come to us from this year’s Oscar-nominated films.
NORTH YORKSHIRE, ENGLAND (PHANTOM THREAD)
Easily one of the more visually beautiful films of 2017, Phantom Thread owes a lot of that beauty to its location of North Yorkshire. Tucked along the coastline, it provides amazing views in every direction. And be sure to visit the Victoria Hotel in Robin Hood’s Bay to recreate the moment Daniel Day-Lewis first meets his muse!
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA (LADY BIRD)
Perhaps the perfect location for a film about a teenager looking for more, Lady Bird takes place in the California state capital of Sacramento. And while not typically considered a desirable travel destination, it is the perfect exemplification of a town someone could become nostalgic for without planning on it. Nothing beats that California sunshine!
LONDON, ENGLAND (DARKEST HOUR)
If you’re looking to take a vacation in some place rich with history than you can’t do much better than the setting for Darkest Hour, London, England. Visit the famous landmarks of Big Ben, Downing Street, and Buckingham Palace. But be sure to “Keep Calm and Carry On’ while you do!
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO (COCO)
Coco may be an animated movie, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it’s setting! Well, technically the film didn’t take place in Mexico City. But the animators used specific elements of the city when designing the movie’s locations. Just be sure to plan your trip around Dia de los Muertos. It is not to be missed.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (THE POST)
If you want to experience the energy and fast-paced lifestyle of a political journalist, then look no further than the setting for The Post, Washington, D.C. Some of the crowds and lines can be annoying, but it’s worth it to experience such important American history.
NORTHERN ITALY (CALL ME BY YOUR NAME)
Italy is famous for being one of the most beautiful countries in the world. With its elegant and timeless architecture, winding cobblestone roads, and rolling hills, the Italian countryside is indeed worth experiencing. Take your time, relax, and contemplate what it must have been like to come-of-age in such an incredible place.
Destinations
A UK Bar Pretends To Be A Church To Get Around Pandemic Rules

The pandemic has made it difficult for some businesses to run, which is why this bar is getting creative by registering as a church to their customers
With everyone being in lockdown and not being able to go out, not a lot people have been able to offer up prayers to the 400 rabbit gods, and with 2020 being the hot mess that it is, a tequila joint in Nottingham, England is planning to change that and keep their business afloat, as well.
England just got out of its second nation-wide lockdown as of December 2, and now implements a system where they have tiered restrictions. Nottingham currently sits on the highest risk, the tier 3 category, which states that businesses targeted towards hospitality will stay closed with the exception of delivery or takeout.
Church of 400 Rabbits is an Aztec-themed bar that has an extensive choice of tequila and an application to become a worship center that is currently waiting for approval from Nottingham’s registrar general.
This bar decided to mix spirits with spirituality in hopes that it can implement a loophole in the COVID-19 rules of England, which says that if you’re a church or a place of worship, groups from the same bubble or household can enter your business.

After posting their application that will certify their bar to operate as a place of worship, Church of 400 Rabbits is now looking for devotees through their website.
People who are interested in becoming a Bunny Believer can do this for free, and with a small fee of $13, (£10), you can be ordained as a Reverend, with a t-shirt that you use as your official robes.
James Aspell, owner of Church of 400 Rabbits isn’t too hopeful that Nottingham will consider the application, but says that it’s an attempt to show how ridiculous the tier system is and how some of the rules are contradictory.
He says that it’s difficult because the government insists on these strict rules but that there is little to no financial support. Aspell believes that even if they moved down to a tier 2, they wouldn’t be able to open without dishing out substantial meals, and adding that it’s another Scotch Egg debacle.

For those of you that don’t know what a Scotch egg is, it’s a hard-boiled egg that is wrapped with sausage meat and breadcrumbs. After a lot of debate, it has been considered a substantial meal by Michael Gove, who came under fire when he described it as an appetizer.
Church of 400 Rabbits isn’t the first business that tried to apply as a place of worship, as Atlantic Squash and Fitness Club also rebranded to Church of the Healthy Body to keep their gym open.
Aspell notes that the number of devotees for 400 Rabbits is multiplying rapidly, as rabbits would and has decided to donate all proceeds to a Nottingham homeless charity group.
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