where you should travel in may 2022
the greek goddess maia was a nurturer, a caring mother figure, and associated with bona dea, the roman goddess of fertility, thus giving her name to may, the month of blooming and new beginnings. in the southern hemisphere, the temperature continues dropping as people ready themselves for the arrival of wintry weather. there’s no lack of occasions for one to travel to, so here are the must-do international events in may.
camel trekking & safari in jordan
with the temperature just right, and plenty of rainfall making wildflowers bloom even in the desert, may is the perfect month to visit jordan. soak in the vast landscapes of the country from the back of a camel, the ‘ships of the desert’. the english word camel comes from the arabic jamal, meaning ‘beauty’, which precisely summarises the charm of such an animal’s elegance. they have been part of how the bedouin people have navigated these lands for centuries. the primary destination for camel riding is the unesco world heritage-listed wadi rum, or the valley of the moon, the largest valley in Jordan surrounded by sandstone, granite and other gorgeous natural rock formations. there are options to spend overnight in the valley so you can sleep to a bright sky of stars overhead. camel tours of petra, an archaeological city crafted from red sandstones and another unesco world heritage site, are also available, and can make for a fantastic day trip from the capital amman.
where: jordan
when: may 2022
more info here & here
vesak poya celebrations in sri lanka
vesak poya, the full moon day, is an important day for buddhists that commemorates siddhartha gautama’s birth, enlightenment, and passing (parinirvana). the celebration of the buddha’s life reminds followers to live nobly according to his teachings, and to preach love, kindness, and peace for all living things. for sri lankans, the day is especially significant as the buddha is recorded to have visited the religious area of kelaniya in the capital colombo on a vesak poya day. decorations in the form of oil lamps and illuminated multi-layer lanterns known as kudu can be spotted all over the streets and neighbourhoods, and families will visit the local temple to pay their respects. people will help others in need and perform acts of kindness, and some will even set up dansal stalls will hand out free meals, snacks and drinks to passers-by. mingle with the locals, visit temples, admire the decorations and remember the positive message of the buddha.
where: sri lanka
when: may 15 2022
more info here
fiesta de la cruz in bolivia
celebrated throughout spain and latin america, the fiesta de la cruz celebrates the crucifixion. processions large and small travel through the winding alleyways of towns and cities, with flowers tied to giant crosses and costumed dancers. musical bands accompany the dances and corsos. believers visit the church for mass, and families share food with one another. the village of copacabana, near the capital la paz, is known for elaborate celebrations, and the city of santa cruz de la sierra and town of vallegrande are also notable destinations to visit for fiesta de la cruz. each location has slightly different activities, from mask nights, water fights and children’s parades.
where: bolivia
when: may 3 2022
more info here
image credit rove.me
