January, is the first month of the year. January is a fun month all over the world, because children go back to school after being on holiday for the Christmas Season.
The world is divided into two halves; the top half is known as the Northern Hemisphere and the bottom half is known as the Southern Hemisphere. The line running between the two hemispheres is called the Equator. The two hemispheres have different weather systems – in January the weather in the North is cold and wintery, while down South the weather is hot, because it is summer there.
The school years in the two hemispheres are different. When the children go back to school in the Northern Hemisphere they are going back in winter; the schools are still in the middle of their school year. The children in the Southern hemisphere go back to school in January, but it is the first month in their whole school year. The long school holidays during summertime in the Southern hemisphere are six weeks over the Christmas season.
January 6 is an important date in the Bible; it is Epiphany, the day the three wise men visited the newly born Baby Jesus. It is on January 6 that all Christmas decorations are supposed to be taken down. In some countries it is thought to bring bad luck if the decorations are left up after this date.
Towards the end of the month of January an amazing event takes place in Italy. It is Carnival “Carnevale” time. The people in Italy especially love to have parties and balls where they must wear masks. The masks are very elaborate and are worn with stunningly beautiful ball gowns.
Although Carnevale – a big final party before the restrictions of Lent – has been celebrated throughout Italy since the 11th century, the most extravagant celebrations take place in Venice, a town with many waterways instead of roads. You can watch gondola (narrow boat) parades and view fireworks in the town’s main square.
January 2018, is back to school month for everyone on St. Maarten and this January going back to school is quite exciting, because many children who went away after the hurricane are back on island and can’t wait to see all their friends at school again.
