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One would be hard-pressed to find a country with a richer and more ancient heritage of self care. While Western physicians were still practicing "blood letting," (it was believe a disease could be cured by draining some of a patient's blood), India had already developed a host of advanced medicinal practices that are still used effectively today. And they didn't stop with the body. Wellness was (and is) treated holistically, and variety of Indian cultures also gave birth to different practices to improve the mind and tap into the deepest parts of ourselves.

The Honduras sun is hot in May, and I am grateful to enter the cool air of the small cinderblock home in the rural community I am volunteering in. As my eyes adjust to the darkness, I scan the sparse room to see a bed, some pots, and a few tools set on the earthen floor. We get to work quickly, mixing cement and unloading our supply of bricks. A toothless grandmother watches us from over her cooking fire as we work, stacking and cementing bricks. We are building ovens that will allow them to use their wood more efficiently and make make enough bread to sell.

The history of Houston, TX, named for former Tennessee Governor Sam Houston, plays like the pages of a wild-west novel. In April of 1836, Sam Houston led Texas troops in a battle of revenge against Mexico over the slaughter at the Alamo, and was quickly named President of the Republic of Texas in return. The town of Houston soon became capitol of the Republic of Texas, and its spot near the swampy river of Buffalo Bayou as well as its proximity to the port of Galveston, made it the perfect location through which railroads and wagons full of good would travel.

There’s no doubt that every country has a New Year tradition that starts a New Year with some sort of gusto and life force. After all New Year’s Eve is the end of one year that was filled with life changing or life threatening experiences and a celebration is always in order to usher in a New Year filled with positive expectations.

New Year traditions may seem the same from country to country and in one sense they are, but in another sense they differ due to past and present local customs, as well as cultural and social attitudes about how one should celebrate. Countries around the world have unique expressions that manifest on New Year’s Eve so understanding what the word celebrate means in different countries is an interesting learning experience.

The sun strokes your skin as you lie on an undiscovered beach in Ecuador. Your eyes roll back in bliss as you take the first bite of a dessert crepe in Paris. Your whole body tingles as you inhale the crisp air of the Himalayas. Travel is relaxing, enlivening, and rejuvenating--so much that we forget all about the stressful parts.