Everybody’s Talking

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Frozen artistry: In Harbin, China, winter becomes a canvas for the breathtaking Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival, transforming the season into a dazzling spectacle. This annual celebration features life-sized replicas of global landmarks carved from ice, with shimmering lights casting vibrant hues over the frozen masterpieces. Visitors can explore reimagined icons like the Acropolis or slide down giant ice creations along the frozen Songhua River. The event’s magic peaks at night, when vivid colors illuminate the frosty structures, creating a surreal, dreamlike atmosphere. Beyond the festival, Harbin also offers the Siberian Tiger Park, home to the majestic big cats in their natural winter habitat, a perfect blend of wonder and wildlife.

Narrow charm: In the historic Malá Strana, or Lesser Town, district of Prague, Czech Republic, the city’s narrowest street, Vinarna Certovka, is a delightful find. Measuring about 19.6 inches (50 cm.) wide, this snug passage near the Charles Bridge includes a traffic light to manage pedestrian flow. Once a worker’s path, it now offers a quirky detour to the Certovka Canal, where charming waterfront views await. The area’s medieval cobblestone streets and Baroque architecture add to the enchanting experience. Visitors often stumble upon this hidden gem, marveling at its quaint appeal and discovering the tavern at its end. It’s a fun reminder that sometimes the smallest streets lead to the best adventures.

Timeless retreat: Founded in the year 705 C.E., Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan is a traditional Japanese inn that has been kept in the same family for centuries. Built around natural hot springs, this secluded retreat has welcomed shoguns and modern travelers seeking relaxation. Guests slip off their shoes at the entrance, stepping into a world of tatami floors, calligraphy-adorned walls, and deep tradition. Each stay includes multi-course meals made from local ingredients and tranquil baths fed by mineral-rich waters. Fires, typhoons, and falling boulders have threatened its existence, yet it endures. While many hotels chase expansion, this one remains content, offering a rare glimpse into Japan’s past, one warm soak at a time.

Styled camels: At a bustling cattle market in Karachi, Pakistan, traders hoping to attract buyers turn to skilled camel barbers for intricate makeovers. Using only a small pair of scissors, these artists shave elaborate patterns into the animals’ coats, transforming them into moving canvases. Designs range from simple geometric shapes to intricate motifs, each tailored to the camel’s size and color. While many traders believe a striking pattern increases value, others remain unconvinced. For barbers, who often learn the craft from their ancestors, this seasonal work is both art and livelihood. Beyond money, another reward is seeing their work walk away in style.

Quoteable Quotes

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“Walls turned sideways are bridges.”

—Angela Davis

“What isn’t said is as important as what is said.”

—Colson Whitehead

What’s Happening

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Trivia

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1. Who wrote the poem Jabberwocky?

2. The moon passing between the sun and the Earth is a lunar eclipse—T/F?

3. This island is located southeast of mainland Australia.

4. The first thread woven onto the loom is the warp, weft, or woof?

5. Queen Elizabeth I’s father was King Edward, Charles, or Henry?

Trivia answers at the bottom of the page!

Your Weekly Horoscope

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Lucky numbers this week: This week’s odds favor Taurus winners with the luckiest number being 17.

Did You Know...

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Ghost dog: The Sapsaree, a shaggy breed of dog native to Korea, was believed to chase away evil spirits. Its name means “one that roots out ghosts,” and its protective nature made it a cherished guardian. Many see this loyal dog as a symbol of good fortune.

Youngest winner: At 17, Malala Yousafzai became the youngest Nobel Peace Prize winner for her efforts to expand girls’ education. Dedicated to learning, she stayed in class after hearing the news of her award, determined to finish the school day as usual.

Garlic myth: A study used leeches to put garlic’s vampire-repelling powers to the test. Given the choice, the bloodsuckers latched onto a garlic-covered arm faster than an untreated one. Instead of scaring them off, garlic seemed to make them hungrier.

Melon makeover: Square watermelons aren’t a special variety. They’re just regular melons grown in boxes to shape them. Originally made for easy storage, they’re now pricey gifts in Japan. They look impressive but aren’t known for great flavor.

Mini Grinch: In the Jim Carrey film How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Joshua Evans had a rare condition that made him appear much younger than his actual age. Though 18 at the time, he convincingly played an 8-year-old Grinch.

On the Lighter Side

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Knock! Knock! Who’s there? Aurora. Aurora who? Aurora just came from that big polar bear!

What do you get if you mix a skunk with a hospital? A medical scenter.

Pity the one who can’t find a singing partner. They need a duet yourself kit.

It doesn’t take a very big person to carry a grudge.

Tim: Why do you have a cow in the front yard?”

Jim: “It’s mooing the lawn.”