Joseph Rosendo's Travelscope

Christmas Celebrations Around The Globe

Celebrating the world through their festivals is a great way to experience a country and its people. This episode begins in Venice, California at the annual holiday boat parade - a funky and funny celebration along the Venice Canals, which highlights the offbeat, colorful spirit of this Southern California beach community. Then Joseph completes the holiday circle by returning to San Antonio, Texas' world famous River Walk and the Lake Geneva region of Switzerland for their Christmas celebration. In Switzerland, Joseph basks in the glow of some of the country's best Christmas markets, visits a Christmas ornament artist and takes a journey to old St. Nick's village. In San Antonio, faith is real and Joseph explores the city's spiritual roots and the real meaning of Christmas when he joins with San Antonio families in their homes to honor their heritage at the Tamalada - holiday tamale making - and in the San Fernando Cathedral at the midnight Serenada for the Virgin of Guadalupe. In this episode Joseph shows that Christmas is about more than twinkling lights and cups of cheer. In every country, in every culture, Christmas is a time to put aside differences, celebrate our humanity and join the angels in wishing each other good will and peace on Earth.