Israel is a small county in the Middle East with its capital - Jerusalem. Its location on the Mediterranean coast makes it an desirable place for beach lovers. Jerusalem is especially popular among tourists, as the main religious sightseeings of the city are located there - the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Wailing Wall. The healing springs of the Dead sea and lake Tiberias are also attracts foreign visitors.
Перевод:
Израиль является небольшим государством Ближнего Востока со столицей в Иерусалиме. Его расположение на побережье Средиземного моря делает место привлекательным для любителей пляжного отдыха. Особо популярен среди туристов Иерусалим, так как там расположены основные религиозные достопримечательности города - храм гроба Господня и стена плача. Лечебные источники Мёртвого моря и Тивериадского озера также вызывают интерес приезжающих.
Like people all over the world, Americans carry out traditions on the last day of the year to let go of the past and latch on to the future. Fireworks, champagne and midnight smooching are among the festive ways New Years is celebrated in the U.S. Many people enjoy welcoming in the New Year with family and friends, while others prefer a public celebration amongst a crowd of boisterous revelers.
Times Square
Watching the colorful, crystal ball drop in Time Square never gets old for the TV viewers who turn on their TV sets every December 31. Since 1907, barring World War II years, New York City has hosted a massive party on Times Square. As many as 1 million people attend this party every year to enjoy musical performances, fireworks and party favors, although alcohol is forbidden. The culmination of the festivities is the midnight lowering of a ball from the Times Tower. The original 1907 ball was illuminated and made of wood and iron. The modern ball weighs 11,875 pounds and is covered in Waterford crystals that make it shine.
Midnight Count Down
Traditions frequently revolve around the stroke of midnight, which heralds the new year. At both public and private gatherings, people count down the last 10 seconds of the old year at 12 a.m. Many people toast to the new year with a glass of champagne while others grab a loved one or a friendly stranger and bestow upon him the first kiss of the year. Many towns and cities put on a show with fireworks and provide noisemakers, meant to scare off evil spirits. Some Americans band together and sing "Auld Lang Syne," an Irish song bidding farewell to the old year.
Symbolic Foods
Some Americans eat certain foods either at New Year's Eve parties or on New Year's Day to bring good luck. European-Americans often eat pork, not only because the pig's plumpness suggests plenty, but also because pigs dig with their snout in a forward motion. People like the idea of moving forward into the Near Year. New Englanders often choose cabbage to go with their pork as a symbol of prosperity. Another dish for prosperity is Hoppin' John, a southern dish made of black-eyed peas. Not only do the "eyes" on the black-eyed peas resemble a circle for the completed year, but they also represent abundance, symbolizing the hope for a similar amount of money.
I like New Year's Day, it is my favourite holiday. The 1st of January is a winter holiday and now it is the first day of the New Year.
Peter the First changed the Russian calendar in 1699. He made the 31st of December, 1699 the last day of the year. The first of January 1700 became New Year's Day.
The 1st of January is in the middle of winter. The weather is usually fine and there is a lot of snow everywhere. As the 1st of January is a holiday I don't go to school and my parents don't go to work.
We usually have got a very interesting New Year's party at school. We have got it on the 28th or 29th of December.
Our family prepares for this holiday beforehand. My father buys and brings home a beautiful New Year's tree at the end of December. Our family has a tradition to buy it. I like to decorate the New Year's tree with toys, little coloured lights, sweets and a beautiful star on the top.
My mother and grandmother prepare our holiday supper and lay the table. I make a cake.
All the members of our family clean the flat before this nice holiday and then each of us try to dress well. We like to see the New Year in at home with our relatives. They come to see us at 11 o'clock in the evening.
At 12 o'clock we are sitting at the table and we are glad to see the New Year in. We say, "Best wishes for the New Year!"
I hope that next year will be better than the last one.
The New Year's Day is always connected with our new hopes and dreams.
It is a pleasant moment to get presents on the New Year's Eve.
I usually get many nice useful things from my parents and relatives.
My parents put their presents under the New Year's tree.
We don't go to bed till morning, we watch TV, dance, eat tasty things and make jokes.
I enjoy this holiday very much.