Matador Network's Blog, page 1188

New Banksy art a hassle to maintain

While you’d think a local shop owner might welcome graffiti by a world-famous street artist, according to this steelworker it’s far more trouble than it’s worth. Last week, the most recent piece by the mysterious graffiti artist Banksy appeared on the side of steelworker Ian Lewis’s garage in Port Talbot, Wales. The mural depicts a little boy with arms outstretched and tongue out, appearing to taste the falling snow. It has since attracted thousands of onlookers and turned Lewis into a reluctant art curator.

“I didn’t know at the beginning it was a Banksy,” he told BBC Wales. “I just thought it was a fantastic bit of artwork and I was going to cover it and protect it and keep it for myself.” Now, however, “It’s been very, very stressful and very surreal. It’s all been so much for me. I’m actually managing an arts attraction by myself.”

According to Lewis, the mural attracts over 1,000 people a day, and if not for actor Michael Sheen offering to pay for security over Christmas, he would have already lost the painting to vandalism or theft. Indeed, people have been trying to chisel parts of it away or steal it entirely. Although it was covered in a protective plastic sheet before Christmas, the painting has still been targeted several times.

Strangely enough, even though the mural was not solicited since it’s on private property, it is nonetheless Lewis’s responsibility to keep it safe. Understandably fed up with being its caretaker, Lewis believes the mural should be moved to a safer area with appropriate security. “It needs to be put in the middle of the town center maybe,” he said. “I think that the Assembly should step in and take over, because it is an arts treasure, and it’s just too much for me.”

Sheen, who has been assisting Lewis financially with costs associated with the mural, said of the mural, “It’s wonderful that it’s there, and it’s great that Banksy came and did this and has drawn attention to Port Talbot in this way. But Ian does need some help with this now.”

The Welsh Government is currently looking into various options for protecting the artwork. In the meantime, however, Lewis wishes the work of art never landed on his doorstep. “If I could turn back the clock,” he said, “then no, I was happier I think before it happened.”

H/T: BBC News

More like this: The 9 best street art cities in the world

The post This new Banksy painting in Wales is ruining the garage owner’s life appeared first on Matador Network.

Man dies in Yosemite during shutdown

National parks might not be fully operational during the government shutdown, but that isn’t stopping people from visiting them and injuring themselves while doing so. On Christmas Day, a man died after he fell into a river in Yosemite National Park, just three days into the government shutdown. Andrew Muñoz, supervisory public affairs officer for the National Park Service, told Outside that the park’s emergency center received a 911 call about a male visitor with a head injury above Nevada Fall. “Medical attention was provided to the visitor,” he said, “but he died from his injuries.” He added that even though the incident occurred two weeks ago, it’s still “under investigation, which is taking longer than usual because of the shutdown. A news release wasn’t issued because of the shutdown.”

During the shutdown, only about 50 employees remain in Yosemite compared to the over 800 that usually staff the park. Since the park is still open during the shutdown, however, thousands of visitors are still pouring in, and there isn’t enough staff to maintain the park, clean up after guests, and keep people safe.

This is the first time national parks have remained open despite a government shutdown, and a reduction in staff by nearly 80 percent. This allows parks to continue collecting entry fees, generating revenue for the local community, but there are doubtless safety risks that come with keeping the parks open.

H/T: Outside

More like this: The best national parks to visit this winter

The post Man died in Yosemite on Christmas Day during government shutdown appeared first on Matador Network.

Mindfulness events 2019

The theory of mindfulness has been around for some time now, encouraging lots of us to stay focused on the present moment. Useful in combating mental illnesses like anxiety, depression, or addiction, finding a permanent place for this practice in our lives should be given priority or at least exploration. If you’re looking for some guidance in this field here are some festivals, retreats, and events across the world to help you expand your mindfulness in the new year.

1. Club Soda Mindful Drinking Festival — London, England

Photo: Club Soda UK/Facebook

Most of us can say shamefacedly that we certainly didn’t exercise mindfulness when it came to drinking over the festive period. If you’re feeling the alcohol guilt, this alcohol-free drinking festival is the ideal place for you. Though hard to believe, it demonstrates that great drinks don’t always need alcohol and that having fun at a festival can be fueled by superfood juices rather than vodka. To help you channel drinking mindfulness, there are lifestyle talks by experts as well as inspirational stories by teetotallers. The Mindful Drinking Festival is free to attend and is held over January 12 and 13.

2. Winter Expedition with Wim Hof — Poland

If mindfulness for you means meditating on a sunny beach in Mexico, then Wim Hof’s program is definitely not for you. Wim Hof has become famous for his breathing and meditation exercises which enable him to withstand extremely cold temperatures and hold his breath for long periods. This form of breathing is said to increase energy levels and reduce stress. You can learn some of these methods at Wim’s one-day training sessions held around the world, or you can go all in with a winter expedition in snowy Poland where you’ll find yourself bearing lots of flesh in sub-zero temperatures.

3. A Mindful Society Conference 2019 — Toronto, Canada

Photo: A Mindful Society/Facebook

Now in its 5th year, A Mindful Society Conference is the answer for those passionate about applying mindfulness in their daily lives and jobs beyond the retreat. This event brings together over 900 attendees and speakers from countries all over the world, who talk about using mindfulness in healthcare, education, business, and many other areas of society. The keynote speaker this year is renowned neuroscientist and mindfulness leader Dr. Dan Siegel. Besides the talks, remember to take a little time to yourself and visit the Breathing Space to get involved in guided practice sessions by expert teachers.

4. The BioDynamic Breathwork & Trauma Release System Training — Poland

This program, also in Poland, is all about breathing techniques and conscious movement aimed at trauma release. The power of the breath is used to release emotional and physical stress, leaving you able to connect with yourself on a more profound level. It also helps you manage your relationships with other people, and during the sessions, students take on various different roles and responsibilities in order to develop personally and professionally.

5. Amanpuri Awareness — Thailand

Photo: Aman Resorts/Facebook

Sometimes traditional methods are the best, as this retreat in Thailand shows. It ticks all the mindfulness boxes with teaching from a former Buddhist monk, yoga, meditation, reconnective healing, and reiki to help you find inner stillness. Located in a former coconut plantation on the coast, the view of a glittering turquoise sea will also aid reflection. You can really take advantage of your surroundings with water sports, beach activities, and dining that overlooks the beach.

6. The Best You EXPO 2019 — London, England

Head to London in mid-February for two days of intense mindfulness inspiration. This free event brings together expert coaches, teachers, and authors who will give talks and demonstrations on wellness topics ranging from stress management to how to increase confidence levels. The event has many different zones that focus on everything from “Passion to Profit” to “Empowering Women.” And there’s a yoga and meditation zone too, of course. The event is a perfect place to meet like-minded people looking to improve their lives and find more meaning in the world.

7. Mindful You-Mindful Me — North Dakota, United States

Photo: Mindful You-Mindful Me/Facebook

Mindful You-Mindful Me is aimed at kids and teenagers, helping them to manage stress, become more resilient, increase attention span, and discover kindness and generosity thus reducing problems like bullying in schools. Heidi Demars, the founder of Mindful You-Mindful Me, is an occupational therapist and TEDx speaker and is dedicated to teaching yoga and mindfulness to children. She’s holding classes on February 2 that aim to create “calm, resilient, connected kids and teens.”


More like this: 9 silent retreats around the world to take if you hate talking to people

The post Where to go to expand your mindfulness in 2019 appeared first on Matador Network.

How to make friends in New York City

New Yorkers have a reputation for being unfriendly and unsmiling, but the truth is that most of us are pretty friendly when it comes down to it. But, we get it: New York City is a big place with too many people to count, so the idea of making friends with someone when you’re new to NYC can seem pretty daunting. However, there are a number of activities you can partake in to make some friends while having a buffer to keep things from getting awkward. From seeing a comedy show to doing charity work, here are six ways to make friends if you’re new to NYC.

1. Take a class.

Photo: Milk Bar/Facebook

No matter what you’re interested in, there’s a club and a class for it in NYC. Dessert lovers (and aren’t we all) can learn how to make the famous cakes at Milk Bar, and, if you want to learn a little science in your quest for friendship, you can take a class to learn how to make neon signs. You’ll easily make friends by taking a class because you’re all interested in whatever subject matter you picked, whether it’s pottery or parkour, so you’ll have at least one topic of conversation to use as a safety net.

2. See a comedy or improv show.

Photo: Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, NY/Facebook

Laughter and beer are great icebreakers and can ease any discomfort you might have about being in a room full of strangers. New York City is famous for its comedy clubs, but you can also take the less traveled route and see some improv. The beauty of improv shows is that you can go in knowing virtually no one and end the night knowing half the attendees. The Upright Citizens Brigade has several locations in Manhattan and always has a show going on, whether it’s an improv jam, a solo act, or a multi-performer show. Most locations have a bar so you can either grab a drink to sip on during the show or hang out there afterwards with most of the crowd. Pro tip: Most performers will stop in at the bar after their show, so if there was anyone you particularly liked, you can say hello.

3. Join a tour.

Photo: Graff Tours/Facebook

Joining a tour means joining a group of like-minded individuals, who, just like you, are most likely new to NYC. There’s also a good chance that at least a few people on a tour are solo travelers looking to socialize with others, so doing a tour not only provides you with knowledge of the city, but also an easy in to make friends. Instead of opting for larger tours like the hop-on, hop-off buses, try smaller group tours. There are plenty to choose from, like Graff Tours’ artist-led tours of the city’s street art or a neighborhood-specific food tour with Foods of New York.

4. Use the internet.

Photo: Andriy Blokhin/Shutterstock

We live in the Digital Age, so it makes sense that one way to make friends is by going online. Meetup is a website that allows anyone to discover groups of people meeting up to do a particular activity. Once you sign up, you can either search a keyword to see if there are any meetups going on or click one of the specified subject areas, such as arts, food and drink, learning, outdoors, and so on. If you click on a meetup, it’ll specify the date, meeting place and time, and the number of people who plan on attending.

5. Paint and sip.

Photo: Pinot’s Palette/Facebook

Art and drinks are another creativity and booze combo that’ll pave the way for friendship. Sessions where you can “paint and sip” or “drink and draw” are becoming increasingly popular since you don’t have to be the next Picasso to join in on the fun. Usually BYOB, locations like Art Studio NY and Pinot’s Palette will have a set painting that everyone will paint, and instructors will break it down and show you how to do it piece by piece so you won’t have to worry about where to start.

6. Give back.

Photo: American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer/Facebook

Do some charity work and help those around you. It’ll also provide you with several points of conversation, allowing you to bond with your co-workers of sorts, but depending on what exactly you choose to do, it’ll also allow you to bond with the people you’re helping. Tons of places welcome any extra help, from assisting at events such as


More like this: New York City’s 8 coziest bars for a winter drink

The post 6 ways to make friends if you’re new to NYC appeared first on Matador Network.

Tacotopia’s taco wonderland

If you’re obsessed with tacos and looking for the perfect outlet for your infatuation, Tacotopia is it. This taco-fest, intended to encourage interactive and expressive art, is coming to Austin, Texas on March 1, and it’s got everything you could possibly want in a taco experience. The three-dimensional, immersive art exhibit will feature over 20 unique environments with huge taco-related installations. These include sliding down an oversized tortilla chip into a giant pico de gallo foam pit, a “Senorita Needs a Margarita” lime swing, and a staircase to “Churro Heaven.” Of course, there’ll be no shortage of delicious tacos available for consumption, too.

If it wasn’t already obvious, Tacotopia is a giant photo-op for taco-loving Instagrammers. Guests will have about 60 minutes to explore the taco paradise, though keep in mind that a limited number of tickets are available each day. Groups of over 25 are encouraged to contact the office directly in advance to reserve tickets. Tacotopia will also host private and corporate events.

After Austin, the Tacotopia will continue in Los Angeles in May for a 12-week exhibit, followed by New York, Miami, Chicago, and Scottsdale.

Tickets are $25 for adults, $15 for children between the ages of 4 and 11, and free for kids age 3 and under. The exhibits will run for four weeks starting on March 1, and are open all week from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM, but closed on Wednesdays. Tickets will be available for purchase mid-January on the official site.


More like this: Where to find the best tacos in Mexico City

The post Tacotopia is a taco-lover’s dream interactive museum, and it’s coming to Austin appeared first on Matador Network.

Tropical Storm Pabuk hits Thailand

Around 1:00 PM today, a massive tropical storm hit Thailand with waves up to 16 feet, torrential rain, and high winds reaching 46 mph. Tropical Storm Pabuk, which is being called the country’s worst tropical storm in 30 years, has already claimed one life — a fisherman whose boat capsized due to strong winds — and the worst may yet be ahead. Although the storm is expected to slow and weaken as it moves over the mainland, it could still cause significant damage.

Big waves hit Pak Phanang district in Nakhon Si Thammarat due to approaching storm #Plabuk

What to do in Puerto Viejo

The beach town of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is located on the Caribbean coast of beautiful Costa Rica. The African slave trade forcefully brought people here in the 16th century when slaves accompanied Spanish colonizers and were made to work on cacao plantations. When African descendants in Puerto Viejo were emancipated after slavery was abolished in 1923, they were joined by Afro-Caribbeans from Panama, Nicaragua, and Colombia, and formed settlements along the coast. Today, the unique Afro-Caribbean vibe is thriving in Puerto Viejo — here are eight opportunities for travelers to experience it to its full extent.

1. Spot sloths in Cahuita National Park.

Photo: matthieu Gallet/Shutterstock

The protected Cahuita National Park is a quick bus ride away from Puerto Viejo and is the best place to see some of Costa Rica’s incredible wildlife in the area. The massive biodiverse nature reserve is free to enter, but you’re encouraged to make a donation to contribute to the conservation efforts.

The trail is very flat and easy to walk. It includes a few areas of wooden walkways over mangroves where you might spot caimans and a sandy path right along the coast where sloths, coatis, and monkeys are often seen. It’s possible to snorkel in the calm, turquoise bays where dolphins, hawksbill sea turtles, manta rays, blue parrot fish, and over 120 other species of fish live in the sea among 35 different species of corals.

2. Take an Afro-Latino dance class.

Work up a sweat and learn about the unique culture of Puerto Viejo at an Afro-Latino dance class. Wuanda is the local Afro-Caribbean dance instructor who was professionally trained at Alvin Ailey. Dance is her form of communication and art, as she speaks with her movements of her ancestors’ past, the culture of her people, and the joy of living in paradise.

During the class you’ll be introduced to the basic language steps of the African diaspora dance — each movement has a meaning. According to Wuanda, dance is a ritual of celebration. Your nerves will melt away as Wuanda’s confidence and poise are contagious. “When you dance you learn about the culture, the music, and the movement, it’s what the people are. My lesson is not just a dance class, it’s a cultural tour,” she says.

Don’t worry about your moves — just let loose and enjoy the music. Local Afro-Caribbean men play the drums during the dance class to set the beat. Various dance styles are covered from traditional African movements, reggae, soca, dancehall, as well as Latino bachata and salsa. After the class, you’ll be ready to impress the locals with your moves at Salsa Brava Beach Bar which transforms into a Caribbean dance club at night.

3. Catch a wave with local surfers.

Photo: Surf the Jungle Surf School/Facebook

Surf the Jungle is a professional surf school owned by a local Caribeño, Misael. He taught himself how to surf as a kid by sharing a broken board with a few other local boys and has been surfing for over 20 years. Misael speaks about the famous local Salsa Brava wave with an immense passion.

Two-hour surf lessons are available daily at Playa Negra or Playa Cocles for all levels. All of the instructors are local and open water rescue certified by the International Surfing Association, so if you’re a little nervous don’t sweat it, you’re in good hands!

The best time of year for big swells is between January and March. If you’re looking to capture that moment of you first catching a wave for the gram they have a surf photographer available for hire. The shop also offers snorkeling, stand up paddle boarding, and kayaking tours.

4. Visit the local weekend crafts and produce markets.

Photo: phortun/Shutterstock

If you’re in town over the weekend, head to the local market at the Old Harbor. On Saturday’s there’s a farmers market with stalls overflowing with local fruits, veggies, and treats from 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM. The Sunday market is the place to shop for locally-made artisan souvenirs and handicrafts from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

5. Be a chocolate maker for the day.

Cacao pods growing on a cacao tree in Costa Rica. (Photo: Joseph Jacobs/Shutterstock)

Cacao has roots in Latin America as the chocolate tree grows naturally 20 degrees above and below the Equator. The cacao plant has medicinal and spiritual value to the indigenous BriBri people who are native to the northern region of Costa Rica near Puerto Viejo. You can take a chocolate making class in Puerto Viejo to learn how the fruit is cultivated and transformed by hand into chocolate, and hear the folklore of the BriBri people who believe that the cacao tree is a woman.

Ancel is the owner of the cacao farm and artisanal chocolate company — she’s dedicated to only employing BriBri people. You’ll have the chance to make chocolate from scratch and get to taste test your sweet batch to see how the cacao transforms after roasting, grinding, tempering, and molding. The heirloom chocolate is 70 percent cacao and 30 percent sugar, which is an extraordinarily high yield.

Chocolate making is a delicious hands-on experience and it’s a unique treat to get to learn directly from people who’ve been making it for thousands of years. At the farm, you can also stroll through the gardens to see over 160 native tropical fruit and nut trees. Occasionally toucans and macaws snack on the tree’s bounty so keep your eye peeled.

6. Chow down at plant-based cafes.

Try a few plant-based renditions of local meals while in Puerto Viejo to be a more sustainable traveler. Coconut milk is the base for many popular dishes including the must-try local breakfast of black beans and rice with coconut milk which is best enjoyed at the locally-owned Soda Lidia’s Place.

For an innovative take on traditional dishes head to Tierra Madre. The laid-back, open-air restaurant is owned by a Costa Rican-Italian couple who love to put their own spin on traditional cuisine. The best thing on the menu is the breadfruit gnocchi — a recipe unique to Tierra Madre. They also have plenty of meat dishes and unique vegetarian ravioli made from mango and avocado.

There’s a locally-owned street cart on Avenida 71 that sells vegan cookies in traditional flavors such as ginger, coconut, or coconut with ginger. The Salsa Brava Rasta Bar offers an assortment of Caribbean-inspired dishes that are vegan-friendly.

7. Stay in traditional casita houses.

Photo: Airbnb

While in Puerto Viejo, do as the locals do and stay in a traditional casita house. Casitas are generally one level and have one or two bedrooms, a kitchen, bathroom, living room, and spacious front yard.

Most casitas are locally operated and reasonably priced. There are a few casita accommodations available on Airbnb. I stayed in this beautiful lime green casita with a shaded yard that’s just a five-minute walk from the busy town center and very close to the beach.

8. Listen to traditional Lemon calypso music.

Lemon calypso is the official soundtrack of Puerto Viejo. It’s played in every shop and taxi but sadly, there aren’t many opportunities to see the music performed live in Puerto Viejo any longer. The Lazy Mon beach bar has musical performances nightly from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM, and occasionally the bands play traditional Lemon calypso music so check the schedule of performers when you get to town.


More like this: The 7 most amazing waterfalls in Costa Rica

The post 8 ways to experience Puerto Viejo like a local appeared first on Matador Network.

Arizonans New Year’s resolutions

Each year Arizonans start out like the rest of the world: with the best of intentions. We’ll work out. We’ll eat better. We’ll reconnect with estranged friends and family. Our success rates with those annual aspirations are probably on par with everyone else’s — mediocre. But because we Arizonans have our peculiarities, our specific resolutions are unique. Here are some of the resolutions we start out with come January 1, and yet seldom really achieve. Oh, well, there’s always 2020.

1. Get that backcountry permit to raft the Canyon.

Of course, it’s already booked up for 2019 so we wait with bated breath for the next cancellation. Which happens, but not this year.

2. Pass on the damned left and move the heck back over.

We vow and re-vow to learn not to obstruct traffic, but we see the semi coming up in the right lane and think, “I might as well hang out here. I’ll pass them eventually.”

3. Eat less Mexican food.

Yes, because that’s going to happen. Maybe fewer times a week would be more realistic.

4. Buy less turquoise.

It’s everywhere and we love it. Decking ourselves out in locally-mined bling is our birthright. But some of us spend as much on it annually as we do our mortgage.

5. Buy a house.

Home prices are just going up, and interest rates, too. Every year, we say the same thing: it’s time. And then the apartment’s air conditioning breaks, and we realize we don’t have to pay for it.

6. Wear sunscreen.

Last summer’s sunburn was the worst ever, so this year we’re finally wearing sunscreen every day. Yeah, right.

7. Drink fewer tequila shots.

You’d think after that one incident with the gila monster we’d know better than to overindulge. Maybe this year we’ll switch to mezcal.

8. Learn how to make tamales.

It’s a serious endeavor but it’s our turn next Christmas, so we should finally learn.

9. Hike the AT.

The 800-mile Arizona Trail is finally complete, so maybe we’ll go north from Mexico to Utah. Or maybe we’ll do it the other way around. But this year we’re doing it, by golly. All of it.


More like this: 7 things you’ll never hear an Arizonan say

The post 9 New Year’s resolutions Arizonans make but never keep appeared first on Matador Network.

Delta is the most on-time airline

In situations where you need to make close connections and arrive at your destination on a tight schedule, you won’t want to leave anything up to chance. While no airline is on time 100 percent of the time, you can at least boost your chances of a delay-free travel experience by stacking the odds in your favor and flying with Delta Airlines. Delta was just named the most punctual airline in the world by FlightGlobal, an aviation data company.

The distinction is part of the company’s On-time Performance Service Awards, which analyzed over 120,000 flights per day from 600 global sources to compile the results. If a flight arrives within 15 minutes of its scheduled time, it’s considered to be on time. With an impressive 86.09 percent of its flights arriving on time, Delta took the list’s top spot for the second year in a row.

Qatar Airways came in just behind Delta, with an 85.88 percent punctuality rating, followed by KLM Royal Dutch Airlines with 85.04 percent. United and American Airlines also made the top 10, coming in eighth and ninth place respectively, with 80.75 percent and 80.28 percent.

Check out the full report here.

H/T: Travel & Leisure

More like this: These are the most trusted airlines in the world

The post appeared first on Matador Network.

Louvre breaks attendance record

The Louvre shattered its visitor record in 2018, with 10.2 million people coming to view the museum’s 35,000 art pieces. These numbers are consistent with a larger trend, wherein Paris tourism as a whole rebounded in 2018 — following a dip in 2015 and 2017 due to terrorist attacks. According to Jean-Luc Martinez, president and CEO of the Louvre, the museum’s latest numbers are the result of “the recovery of international tourism in Paris.”

Depending on who you talk to, however, the Louvre’s visitor numbers are all thanks to one person: Beyoncé. In June, the museum served as the backdrop for her and Jay-Z’s “APESH*T” music video, inspiring a Beyoncé-themed tour of the Louvre. This celebrity association likely drew some non-art enthusiasts to the museum, and contributed to the 25 percent visitor increase over 2018.

The museum has also invested over $68 million in renovations in the past few years, making ticket lines more efficient; online timed ticket sales were also introduced this year to create a smoother experience for visitors. “We have created a new baggage storage facility and a new ticket office,” said Martinez. “And we also developed a new reception area for groups, allowing us to better accommodate more people.” Or, you know, maybe it’s just Beyoncé.

H/T: Condé Nast Traveler

More like this: How to crush the Louvre in one day

The post The Louvre sets new record for visitor numbers in 2018 appeared first on Matador Network.