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Chapultepec Castle, memorials and squares

View of Chapultepec Castle in Mexico City

Mexico celebrates the day of “Los Niños Héroes” or “Boy Heroes.” This holiday commemorates the heroic story of six Mexican young soldiers between the ages of 13 and 19, who gave their lives in an attempt to defend Mexico in 1847 from American forces.

The youngsters were part of the Mexican Military School located in Chapultepec Castle in Mexico City. When the American army started to attack Chapultepec Castle, the cadets of the school were ordered to leave the castle and return to their families. However some of the cadets decided to stay and fight side by side with the Mexican soldiers who were defending their homeland. As the battle continued, the Mexicans, outnumbered by the Americans, were ordered to retreat. Most of the soldiers left but a small group remained; between those the six young cadets known as “Los Niños Héroes.”

One of the most touching stories that took place during the attack was that of Juan Escutia, who grabbed the Mexican flag as the Americans entered the castle and jumped off its walls to die on the cliffs nearby. As he jumped he covered himself with the Mexican flag as a last homage to his country. The story has touched the hearts of the Mexican people along their history and is remembered to our days through beautiful memorials in the whole country.

Nowadays the Chapultepec Castle is the National Museum of History and is considered to be one of the most beautiful palace-castles in the Americas.

Nationwide
Local communities

Deserto de Viana

Cape Verde is celebrating its National Day. This amazing country consists of 10 different islands off the coast of Western Africa in the Atlantic Ocean.  The once uninhabited islands are now a buzzing center for tourism. Having incredible high rocky mountains, beautiful white sand beaches and stunning deserts, the country offers a variety of contrasting landscapes ready to be discovered.

Places to visit and not to miss include Mount Fogo, the only active volcano in the country and Santo Antão, an area filled with spectacular canyons and valleys. The beaches of Boa Vista and Sal are popular places too and ideal for practicing windsurfing, snorkeling or scuba diving. Don't forget to experience some of the Creole culture; try foods such as Cuscuz, a traditional breakfast or the Cachupa, Cape Verde's national dish.  Don't miss also a shot of Grog, a traditional sugar cane liquor made on the islands.

Finally you shouldn't miss listening to groups play Morna music.  Cape Verde is still relatively young to tourism so there is still a feeling of untouched and authentic traditional culture around the islands. This destination is definitively a place not to miss for the adventurer within you.

Catalonia
Streets and public squares

Communal paella cooking in the streets of Barcelona

The autonomous community of Catalonia in Spain celebrates the National Day of Catalonia or “La Diada.” This day honors the Catalan heroes who fought in the Barcelona Siege of 1714 during the War of the Spanish Succession. After Catalonians lost the fight they were forced to remain under the rule of the French Bourbons, losing the freedom and rights enjoyed until then.  In 1980 the Autonomous Government of Catalonia designated “La Diada” for the first time.

On this day Catalonians go out on the streets to remember and show their cultural pride, displaying “Senyeras” or Catalan Flags on their backs, houses and balconies. Also many cultural activities take place on the main squares of Catalonia where one finds laying floral offerings to the monuments of Catalan heroes, political demonstrations, concerts and the famous cooking of huge communal paellas that are shared with all the people who are present.

Nationwide
Parliament, streets and squares

The magnificent Kaieteur Falls in Guyana

Guyana celebrates its Amerindian Heritage Day. This day is dedicated to honor Guyana's indigenous people and remembers the day on which the first Guyanese Amerindian, Stephen Campbell, became a member of the Parliament.

Another interesting fact about this celebration is that one city in the country is designated annually as “Heritage Village.” As for 2012 the elected village is Micobie. This gives the possibility to the selected community to share their traditions, culture, customs, food and achievements with the rest of the country.

Moreover Guyana is an eco-friendly country. Its well-preserved Amerindian communities and its countless rivers and falls make it one of the few natural countries in the world still to be explored. Some of the most beautiful places to visit are the Tumatumari Falls, Orinduik Falls and Kaieteur Falls. In addition take a boat trip on any of Guyana's large rivers and visit an Amerindian community. If you enjoy adventure, this is definitely a country worth to visit and explore.

A visit to the magnificent Kaieteur Falls

September 10: Kaieteur Falls, Guyana
September 11: Communal Paella cooking in Barcelona
September 12: Viana Desert, Boa Vista Island, Cape Verde
September 13: Chapultepec Castle, Mexico City
September 14: Día del Amor y la Amistad (Love and Frienship Day)
Background by Héctor Montaño: Monumento a los Niños Héroes