Chinese Food

In the Chinese culture, presentation is very important. Only by combining excellent food with good manners can this art of Chinese cuisine be truly enjoyed to the full. The Chinese have many cooking methods they can use: boiling, stewing, braising, frying, steaming, crisping, baking, and simmering.

The Chinese regard eating as an art, which is by combination of sight, smell, touch, and taste. Chinese food is a dominant branch from the Chinese culture and the purpose is to preserve health. It is a perfect mixture of color, shape, appearance and flavor.

Our Western versions are extremely high in calories and fat, we have many restaurants all over and they are pretty popular to go to. Chinese food is deeply rooted into the Chinese history. Respect is also a huge bit of importance though, guests should not start to eat until the host says, 'Please enjoy yourself' or something like that, otherwise it is a sign showing disrespect.

The way the Chinese eat this special Chinese cuisine would be hard for most Americans to pick up on. China is the hometown of chopsticks. The culture of chopsticks has a long history in China and the tradition of using chopsticks as eating utensils was introduced to many other countries in the world such as Vietnam, North Korea and South Korea.

The invention of chopsticks reflects the wisdom of Chinese ancient people. A pair of chopsticks, though they look simple, can nip, pick, rip and stir food. Nowadays, chopsticks are considered to be lucky gifts for marriage and other important ceremonies.

http://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/culture/

http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/cuisine_drink/cuisine/

http://www.free-fad-diets.com/chinese-food-calories.html

http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/cuisine.htm

Christmas in Peru

Christmas in Peru is pretty much celebrated late at night on the 24th, mostly for parents. Many will go to house parties all night to five or six in the morning! Kids will find gifts under the tree brought by Santa Claus.. It’s funny to them how Santa still dresses the same as he would in cold weather with his big red jacket, but it would be more appropriate to wear in the US because it’s actually winter. In Peru it’s already summer when Christmas time comes around. Their summer actually begins in December. Winter is from June to October.

A lot of families will buy fireworks and fire them by midnight, fireworks are illegal in Peru too. After the kids go to bed parents go to or have big parties at their houses. Salsa music is some of what they’ll play and the living room will most likely turn into a dance floor. Music and a few drinks is how most spend the next few hours of what we call Christmas Eve together. This is how many Americans spend Christmas Eve too, then many will spend Christmas day with immediate family.

In Peru on the 25th not much happens, people usually sleep in and may attend another party, but not until late at night. January 6th is when people traditionally exchange gifts.

As for Christmas dinner, if you go to someone’s house, you shouldn’t show up empty-handed. Much like Christmas in America, people usually bring a dish of something to another’s house. One thing that would be good to bring is a high cake (like a fruitcake), which comes in a box. They have similar food, most families that can afford a whole turkey, will have turkey.

Apple sauce is also a must in the supper.

http://www.perulinks.com/amigos/Xmas.html

http://www.dosmanosperu.com/dosmanos/english/latin-culture/fiestas/christmas.php

Jamaican Eats

The most popular dish in Jamaica is jerk. The main ingredient is pork, chicken or fish, marinated with a unique Jamaican spices, pimento or allspice, nutmeg and thyme. It’s served with even more hot sauce, rice and peas, and bread. Jerk is one of the ultimate Jamaican dishes, dating back to the island’s earliest days. The practice of cooking the meat over the flame was started by the Arawak Indians. Jamaican jerk is pretty much dried meat, kind of like our beef jerky. Jerk chicken is a popular one, but they also make the jerky we have here and other various kinds of meats cooked with their spices over flames. The chicken and beef that they make is much more like when we have barbeques, they just add more spice and hot sauce usually. Doesn't that chicken look delectable?

Another really poplular food Jamaicans eat with everyday meals is sometimes called journey cakes or patties, they are actually fried or baked breads. You can get them baked and unbaked too! Chicken and beef patties are popular too, they are the same, but filled with beef or chicken then fried to perfection! This is pretty different from anything in America, but I have a feeling most people would be more than willing to try it.

http://www.jamaicans.com/tourist/overview/eating-2.shtml
http://www.mapsofworld.com/jamaica/food/jerk.html

Music in Indonesia

Music in Indonesia: Java, Sumatra and Bali. The traditional music of central and East Java and Bali is the gamelan. In 1965, a law was passed that banned Western-style pop or rock music. In that same year, Koes Plus, an Indonesian pop group in the 1960s- 80s, was imprisoned for playing Western-style music. When the law was disbanded, the prison was destroyed and replaced with a big mall. The new mall in is now the center of recording, production and distribution of modern Indonesian pop and rock music.

After pop/rock music was disbanded, it became more popular especially with teens. Adolescence in Indonesia also watch MTV and like to go to concerts, similar to the teens here in America. Teens in Indonesia listen to music called bollywood music, like the music they hear in movies.

I would apply this is kind of like the iceberg deal in chapter two, part of the surface-level culture (popular culture) I would say because it’s only the music that is popular and what teens there enjoy. You don’t need to know the person for two years before being able to comfortably ask them what kind of music they enjoy.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_Indonesia
http://www.youthnoise.com/page.php?page_id=1934