Local Travel Tip

Oregon is one of the many states that has dual properties. One half is completely brown and flat, while the other is lushly green and full of rolling hills, mountains, and lakes.  However, wherever you are there is sure to be an adventure.

1. Enchanted Forest: This mini-theme park features a path through the forest that goes through Mother Goose’s nursery rhymes, the fairy tales, a western town, Indian caves, and much more. There is a comedy show, a water show, and many rides. There is something for any age here, but children especially love it.
2. Sea Lion Caves: Oregon is also home of the largest sea cave in the world! Sea lions and sea birds have made this cave their home. The cave is accessible by an elevator. The best time to visit this sea cave is during the spring or summer.
3. Newport Aquarium: This aquarium is number six on the list of top aquariums in the nation. It features a shark tunnel along with a variety of marine life.
4. Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI): This museum is very popular with families as it contains hundreds of different interactive, fascinating exhibits. A few exhibits have include Space: A Journey to Our Future, the largest indoor Planetarium in the Northwest, and Samson: The Colossal T-Rex.  

In addition to these fun activities there are many  beautiful outdoors activities.

Still not ready for Christmas to be over? Travel to Latin America where most countries are still celebrating, at least until the 6^th of January. This day is known as the Three King’s Day and will officially end the 12 days of Christmas. This holiday celebrates when the Three Wise Men took gifts to the baby Jesus.

Traditionally, the children celebrating this holiday will write a letter to the Three Kings asking for what they want and explaining how they have been good this year. This is very similar to how children in America will write letters to Santa Claus. Then, the children will tie the letter to a balloon and light it on fire, so that it will burn as it flies away. The smoke will relay their message to the Three Kings. Or the children will place the letter in a shoe next to the Nativity or a Christmas Tree.

Then, similar to how children in America leave out cookies for Santa, children in Latin America will put hay in their shoes for the Three Kings camels and leave out water and other food for the Kings.

The children will wake up on January 6^th to find presents, instead of the hay, water, and food they left out the previous night.

The rest of the day is typically spent with family and friends. The Rosca de Reyes, a sweet bread in the shape of a crown with fruit in it is also traditionally served with hot chocolate. Typically there is a small doll that is place within the bread, that represents the Christ child.Whoever finds the doll will host Candlemas Day on February 2^nd.

This holiday is also celebrated in Goa, India at the Reis Magos church with a feast  of the Three Kings.

When traveling to different countries it is ideal to be able to pick up on the language while you are there. Here are some simple tips to help you learn the language:

1-Set realistic expections. Rome was not built in a day and you will not learn Chinese, Spanish, or Romanian in a day. But, in one day you can learn alot and be on the road to fully understanding the language.

2- Focus on vocab. Even if you don’t know how to put words together if you have a strong base of words you will be able to communicate at least a little.

3- Maximize your language exposure. The more that you listen to a language the better you will pick up on the accent and become familiar with the way it sounds.

4- Speak to the natives. Many times people in other countries want to talk to people who are not from their country- so talk to them! Ask them different questions and ask them vocab and various phrases. When you do this you will be able to pick up on the language faster.

Top Ten Travel Songs:

#1: Phantom Planet- California

#2: Dixie Chicks- Wide Open Spaces

#3: Owl City- Hello Seattle

#4: Men at Work – Land Down Under

#5: Celine Dion- I Drove all Night

#6: Augustana- Boston

#7: U2 – I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For

#8: John Denver- Leaving on a Jet Plane

#9: The Bangles – Walk Like an Egyptian

#10: Cake- Stick Shifts and Safety Belts