Might have to travel a little to celebrate these events on Saturday. In Toronto, Canada, they’ll be celebrating Caribana, a giant street parade commemorating Canada’s diverse Carribean community. More than a million people attend. Compare this to the South Dakota tradition of “Bike Week,” beginning this weekend. That brings in about 300,000.

Also on Saturday is the Wicca religious day, Lugnasad. The name is taken from the Celtic God Lugh which means ‘he of many gifts.”

In Macedonia they’ll be celebrating the religious day, Illinden,  honoring the prophet Elija - it’s a weekend-long picnic.

Not done yet — Switzerland will celebrate National Day, Bermuda will celebrate Emancipation Day and, finally, Aug. 1 is Kamal, the first day of the eighth Baha’i month. In Arabic, the word Kamal means Perfection.

Those of us whose children are no longer in school appreciate NOT having to adhere to this August tradition - the picking up of school supply sheets and trying to find everything on the list. It seems the isles are always crowded with parents and demanding children, it’s hard to find the required item while at the same time your child is tugging at your sleeve whining - “No, I want the 64 box of crayons with the built in sharpener!!” Not fun.

When dealing with people from other cultures, it’s very difficult to give specific rules of conduct - each is so different. But here are a couple of general suggestions:

Religious differences can influence dress, diet, choice of profession and schedule. Treat these practices with respect. Sometimes they can actually benefit the greater society. In large cities, for example, Jewish people have no problem working on Christmas day and, conversely, their co-workers work on the days Jews need to take off for their religious observances.

Decision making - In some cultures, most decisions are made by the family, clan, or group leader. Sometimes it’s a group process. So if you need an immediate decision, you may have to wait until the individual has time to go through the necessary process.

Tomorrow, July 14, is Bastille Day, a national holiday in France which commemorates the storming of the Bastille prison in 1789 freeing all the prisoners. It was a way to protest inhumane treatment, unfair prosecutions and an oppressive government. If I recall my history correctly, there were only about six prisoners at the time. But the results were far-reaching - it ended the French Monarchy, there was a revolution and France became a republic nation.

 In honor of the day, I’ll each something French. Like a pastry.
Viva la France!

On July 11 the Nadaam Festival is celebrated in Mongolia. It lasts for three days and the men compete in the Three Manly national sports of archery, wrestling and horse riding. Sort of reminds one of the Celtic Faire where men compete in heavy games - the Stone Put, the Hammer Throw and the Caber Toss.