Matador Network's Blog, page 1298

9 Japanese sweets you should try

The Japanese are masters at a lot of things — innovation, technology, art. But the one thing they do best is create delicious food. Whether it’s wagashi, traditional confections, or a new take on a candy from overseas, Japanese sweets are always creative and delicious. Here are nine Japanese sweet treats that the rest of the world should know about.

1. Momiji manju

Photo: Tataya Kudo/Shutterstock

Momiji manju is a regional pastry from Miyajima, an island off of Hiroshima Bay. Manju consists of dough, flour, water, sugar, starch, and the filling, which are then boiled together. They look soft to the touch and are served cold. Manjus are typically round in shape but momiji manju is distinguished by its maple-leaf shape (momiji translates to “maple” in English). The filling varies, but options include red-bean paste, custard cream, cream cheese, chocolate, and matcha (green tea).

2. Honey toast

Photo: Cheezie Chicky Chick/Shutterstock

To make a honey toast box (also known as Shibuya toast), the top end of a Japanese milk-bread loaf is cut off, and the soft part is removed. The soft part is then cut into cubes and either fried or toasted in the oven. The loaf shell is toasted separately then both shell and cubes are slathered in butter. Once the cubes are put back into the shell, honey and condensed milk are drizzled over the top. Toppings and presentation vary from place to place, but it’s common to have whipped cream, ice cream, fruit, cookies, and candy on your honey-toast box. Because the concoction is quite filling, it’s traditionally meant to be shared between friends.

3. Mitarashi dango

Photo: Thanaphong Araveeporn/Shutterstock

Mitarashi dango is a traditional Japanese dessert with an unusual flavor. Dango is a savory, round-shaped dumpling made from rice flour. Dango comes skewered on a stick — typically in threes, fours, or fives — and can come in a variety of colors. Pink, white, and green are the most common, but they all taste the same. Mitarashi dango can be distinguished from other types of dango by the sweet, soy-sauce glaze coating the outside, which provides the perfect balance of sweet and savory in one bite.

4. Melon pan

Photo: wilsonwongdesign/Shutterstock

Melon pan is a type of sweet bun that originated in Japan, but its popularity has spread to other countries in Asia, as well as Latin America. Its name comes from its appearance resembling that of a cantaloupe. The top of the melon pan is a crunchy, cookie-crust layer that complements the sweetened, soft inside. It isn’t melon-flavored, but it’s becoming popular among bakers to add melon to the cookie crust. Variations do exist; sometimes chocolate chips or nuts are added between layers, and some have fillings such as flavored cream or custard.

5. Taiyaki

Photo: Kallayanee Naloka/Shutterstock

Taiyaki is a fish-shaped cake. The shape and name come from tai, Japanese red sea bream, which is a type of fish. The cake is made using pancake or waffle batter that’s poured into a fish-shaped mold. Two molds are used, one for each side; then, once a filling has been inserted, the mold is closed and put to bake until it turns a golden-brown color. The most commonly used fillings are red-bean paste and custard, though some people have been experimenting with potatoes, cheese, sausages, and other savory options.

6. Kakigōri

Photo: Theerawan/Shutterstock

Kakigōri is shaved ice that’s flavored with sweetener, often condensed or evaporated milk. It’s similar to a snow cone, but kakigōri ice is a lot softer. You can get whatever flavor you fancy — strawberry, melon, grape, lemon, cherry, or vanilla. Good news for vegans or people just generally looking to avoid dairy — this one is for you. You can ask for kakigōri without the milk sweetener and try a non-dairy flavor like matcha, and even add toppings. The matcha kakigōri with sweet red beans on top is quite the experience for newbies to Japanese cuisine.

7. Anmitsu

Photo: norikko/Shutterstock

Anmitsu is considered to be one of the main types of wagashi. A summer staple, it’s made with small cubes of agar jelly, which is white, translucent jelly made from red algae. Anmitsu is served in a bowl with red bean paste (anko) and it comes with a pot of black syrup (mitsu), that’s supposed to be poured over it. Also in the bowl is a variety of fruit and shiratama (mochi rice balls). If you don’t want the bean paste, then anmitsu becomes mitsunmame — instead of bean paste, you’ll get boiled peas.

8. Kit Kats

Photo: Nevigator/Shutterstock

Kit Kats were first brought to Japan in 1973 when English confectionary company Rowntree went into business with Japanese confectionary company Fujiya. Japan does carry the original chocolate Kit Kat, but the Japanese have also invented over 300 new flavors, such as strawberry, grape, pear, matcha, citrus, strawberry cheesecake, blueberry cheesecake, shinshu apple, edamame soybean, rum raisin, purple sweet potato, chili, hojicha roasted tea, brown-sugar syrup, red-bean sandwich, cinnamon cookie, pancake, and wasabi.

9. Parfaits

Photo by author

The Japanese have taken the standard parfait to the next level to turn it into a huge, over-the-top dessert. The typical parfait is served inside a glass and filled to the brim, but ingredients will differ depending on where you go. Whether the base is healthy (with fruit) or errs more on the indulgent side, the dessert is always loaded. A parfait can have nama kurimu (fresh cream), custard, entire slices of cake, anko (red-bean paste made from sweetened azuki beans), graham crackers, cereal, kuromitsu (black sugar syrup), mochi (rice cake made from glutinous rice), and more. Things you wouldn’t expect are thrown together to create something that is so wonderfully delicious it’ll make you want more even though your stomach is telling you to stop.

Some places even create themed parfaits, like the Milky Way Cafe in the Ikebukuro neighborhood of Tokyo, which has a decadent parfait for every zodiac sign.


More like this: The 9 desserts you need to try in Italy that aren’t gelato

The post 9 Japanese sweet treats the world needs to know about and try appeared first on Matador Network.

Visiting Mexico's San Juan Chamula

You’re not allowed to take pictures inside the San Juan Bautista temple. So, while walking toward it, I hurry to put my camera inside my bag. I am in the middle of doing just that — and thinking about what it will be like to step into that legendary church for the first time — when I realize that I am already in a place unlike anywhere else in Mexico. I suddenly want to take my camera out again to capture the moment, but I think better of it.

The square outside the church is packed with people, and it feels like everyone is staring at me. The women are dressed in fuzzy, traditional Chamula black wool skirts that give them raven-like appearances. There are a few men — some of them wearing a white vest, or chuj — talking amongst themselves. I feel like such an intruder among these people and this place that I barely pay attention to our guide as he briefs us one last time on the proper etiquette before opening the door of the temple.

The Tzotzil world of Chiapas

I thought I understood a little bit about Mexican syncretism — then I came to San Juan Chamula. The Tzotzil people of Mayan origin from Los Altos de Chiapas (the Chiapas Highlands) have kept their identity and traditions intact despite the influence of other cultures. This identity took shape over centuries, from the moment the first Mayan communities arrived in the Simojovel Valley more than two thousand years ago to the time of the war against the Spanish army, when Chamulas and other Tzotzil people fought fiercely against the conquistadores.

The Chamulas (the local Tzotzil people) were eventually subjugated by the Spanish in the 1500s, but the spiritual conquest didn’t get across entirely. Here, Catholicism couldn’t beat the Mayan religion and its deities. The worship of the forces of nature, the animals of the jungle, and the planets in the sky prevailed. It might seem difficult to find common ground between the exacerbated Mayan polytheism and Catholicism’s one and only god, but it’s definitely not impossible. You just have to visit the San Juan Bautista temple to witness it.

A visit to San Juan Chamula and the old Mexico

In my years of travels, I have visited a lot of churches and temples, and I have been exposed to practices and rituals about which I knew nothing, but I have never experienced a feeling of estrangement as strong as the one I experienced upon walking into the San Juan Bautista temple. I get goosebumps all over my body.

It is difficult to pay any attention to our guide, who is talking about the saint figures inside the church and about offerings and sacrifices. The smoke of thousands of candles and other strange smells fill the church’s interior. The floor, devoid of furniture, is covered with fresh pine branches. Here and there are groups of people sitting on the ground, all surrounded by candles. It is noon, but the sunlight barely comes through the windows, and the little light that manages to get in is quickly diffused by huge pieces of fabric hanging from the center of the building and tied to each side, giving it the appearance of a giant tent. It’s Wednesday, and the temple is almost empty, but what I see is enough to give me an idea of what it might look like when busy… or not.

The guide insists on the importance of “stewards” — those who care for the temple’s saints. People wait up to 30 years for this highly coveted position, and when they get there, they spend thousands of pesos keeping the figures of the saints in good shape, cleaning their altars, organizing parties, and helping with general duties inside the church. The guide also mentions the role of the local medicine men and how reluctant Chamulas are to seeing doctors: they only see them in the case of accidents — never sickness.

True syncretism

The San Juan Bautista temple doesn’t have a Catholic priest. One comes from San Cristóbal de las Casas every weekend to officiate mass; however, the church remains open 24/7. It also lacks a confession box. Chamulas practice confession in front of the image they favor. Each image has mirrors hanging in front of it so that sins are confessed to the only person you can’t lie to: yourself.

Among the church’s attendees, there’s a group of women that catches my eye. They’re joined by a medicine woman, whom I can hear praying in Tzotzil, a language I don’t understand. The words sound odd and repetitive. The women who are not praying are busy setting candles all around the floor. The youngest of the group is talking through her mobile phone and checking Facebook. Another one takes a sip from a nondescript bottle — I assume it’s posh, the local moonshine — and sprays it over the candles, turning her breath into a huge ephemeral flame. There are several empty Pepsi cans scattered around the group. The medicine woman continues with her chanting.

Some men are scattered around the church. They’re the stewards, and they pay a lot of attention to every visitor, but they never abandon their chit-chat. I arrive near the altar containing the most important images of the temple and find a new group of people setting up candles. The guide had mentioned how some Catholic saints are represented by animals and explained the role of the stars and planets in certain rituals. A man comes out of a door repeating his own Tzotzil mantra and starts picking up the burnt candles left behind by others. There is a small puddle of dried blood beside the candles, probably from a recent offering.

The old gods

As a Mexican, visiting Chamula is an experience that feels familiar and strangely alien at the same time. At first, I can’t understand why everything feels supernatural. Maybe this is the magic that captivates foreign visitors when they first arrive in this country — the magic of Mexican syncretism.

It’s here, surrounded by dozens of Catholic images and chants, that everything starts making sense. We’re normally not confronted by foreign cultural elements disguised as our own version of normal. Traditions are usually perceived as familiar or completely strange but not both. In the San Juan Bautista temple, the imagery isn’t anything out of the ordinary — the images have faces and features I recognize — but its essence is new. Here’s an unknown universe hidden among recognizable symbols.

Behind the collection of saints and virgins in the San Juan Bautista church are Ah Puch, Chaac, Ixchel, Kukulkán, and the whole pantheon of ancient Mayan gods. They have adapted to their new names and now celebrate new festivities, but their true essences remain. They survive under the light of a thousand candles that never go off; they survive thanks to the ritual sacrifices of animals that Chamulas regularly offer them; they survive thanks to the impenetrability of one of Mexico’s oldest communities and thanks to a church that, after giving it some thought, has an old-pyramid feel to it.


More like this: Meeting the Tarahumara of northwestern Mexico

The post I visited one of the strangest places in Mexico: the San Juan Bautista temple. Here is what I saw. appeared first on Matador Network.

Best places to kayak in New Zealand

New Zealand has some of the most pristine scenery in the world. Snow-capped mountains, wild beaches, fjords, and excellent opportunities to spot wildlife make the country a great destination for those who love spending time in nature.

Kayaking is an ideal way to explore the coastline, lakes, and waterways of the country. From the mountains of Milford Sound to the turquoise waters of the Abel Tasman Sea, kayakers get to see things from a unique perspective. Here are seven of the most beautiful places to go paddling in New Zealand.

1. Abel Tasman National Park

Photo: bassvdo/Shutterstock

The Abel Tasman Sea, on the north end of the South Island, has some of the best weather in the country. It’s an idyllic spot for kayakers, since much of the area is protected from sea currents and coastal winds. You can spot penguins and seals on the rocks, and there’s a good chance that dolphins will swim alongside you in the clear, turquoise waters.

It’s worth taking a few days to explore the bays and inlets, which are set against a background of lush, subtropical rainforest. Campsites dot the golden sand beaches, with multiple hiking trails behind them.

Kayak rentals: You’ll find lots of options here, including Abel Tasman Kayak Rentals.

2. Milford Sound

Photo: Blue Planet Studio/Shutterstock

Despite its remote location in the southwest of the South Island, Milford Sound is one of New Zealand’s most popular tourist spots. There’s nothing like beating the crowds with an early morning kayak amongst the towering peaks of the majestic snow-capped mountains.

Waterfalls gush from the fjords and the peaks are reflected in the deep blue waters. The inquisitive nature of acrobatic bottlenose dolphins means that kayakers have a good chance of spotting them leaping out of the water, often at close quarters. The sheer beauty of Milford Sound makes kayaking there as close to a spiritual experience as you could get.

Kayak rentals: The oldest of the kayak rentals outfits in Milford Sound is Rosco Milford Kayaks.

3. Lake Taupo

Photo: HTU/Shutterstock

The largest freshwater body of water in New Zealand, Lake Taupo on the North Island, is prime kayaking territory. Several tributaries, among them the serene Waikato River, offer a lot for kayakers to explore. The highlights of a kayak trip here are the Maori carvings etched into the rocks that border Mine Bay, the most notable of which is a 45-foot-tall image of the great Maori navigator, Ngatoroirangi. Smaller carvings nearby include a stone sculpture of a lizard who, according to Maori legend, was a guardian of the lake.

After marveling at the rock carvings and appreciating the wooded scenery, you can stop off for a soak in one of the many hot springs on Waikato River. If it’s a hot day, you might prefer to go for a swim in the refreshing waters of the lake.

Kayak rentals: You’ll find rentals on the lake’s north and south shores. Canoe & Kayak, on the north end, is closer to Mine Bay.

4. Bay of Islands

Photo: DmitrySerbin/Shutterstock

This vast bay at the top of the North Island has over 150 islands, enough to keep kayakers busy for days. Whether kayaking into glowworm caves or floating under waterfalls, you won’t run out of things to do here. Other options are paddling into mysterious caves or onto the beaches of different islands.

When the sea is calm, you can kayak to the Cavalli Islands, a conservation reserve and resting place of the Greenpeace boat, Rainbow Warrior. The beautiful, white sand beach of Matauri Bay is another favorite spot with kayakers. Between November and April, you’re likely to spot bottlenose and common dolphins.

Kayak rentals: Rent to go on your own or opt with a tour from Bay of Islands Kayaking.

5. Kaikoura

Photo: Felicity Meade/Shutterstock

An underwater canyon off the Kaikoura peninsula, on the northwest end of the South Island, provides much of the food that sustains that area’s marine life. Kayakers can paddle in the open waters of the Pacific Ocean, with dusky dolphins swimming alongside them. Seeing fur seals chilling out on the rocks is pretty much a certainty, and, if you’re lucky, you may even catch sight of a sperm whale.

Mountains provide the backdrop to the craggy coastline. Sunset is a particularly magical time of the day to take a kayak out, and several companies arrange tours to do so.

Kayak rentals: Kaikoura Kayaks offers sunset tours, as well as other tours and rentals for self-guided trips.

6. Marlborough Sounds

Photo: Milosz Maslanka/Shutterstock

Located on the north end of the South Island, Marlborough Sounds is a collection of sunken valleys. The main bodies of water here are Queen Charlotte, Kenepuru, and Pelorus sounds. The sea here is calm and its color appears to constantly change from emerald green to aquamarine and every shade in between.

Kayaking around the headlands reveals lonely beaches and sheltered bays, with campsites scattered along the coastline. In addition to seals and penguins, sightings of Hector’s dolphins are common. In the winter, orcas visit the sounds to hunt for stingrays, which you can usually spot when kayaking in the shallows.

Kayak rentals: Marlborough Sounds Adventure Company is your one-stop shop for kayak rentals and information.

7. The Avon River

Photo: Mo Wu/Shutterstock

For a kayaking adventure that’s a little less wild, try gliding through Christchurch, the South Island’s largest city, on the Avon River. The river meanders through the leafy city all the way to the sea at the Avon Estuary. From the botanical gardens, the river winds its way through the city center to the abandoned red zone, an area hit badly by an earthquake in 2011. From there, the river continues through leafy suburbs to the estuary with views of Port Hills, until it reaches the mouth of the sea.

It’s a tranquil paddle, which takes about four hours, and perfect for beginners. You’ll see Canadian geese, ducks, and black swans along the route, and riverside pubs make perfect pit stops for a refreshing drink and a bite to eat.

Kayak rentals: Rent kayaks at Antigua Boat Sheds, a five-minute walk from the Botanical Gardens.


More like this: How to go glacier kayaking in British Columbia

The post The 7 most beautiful places to go kayaking in New Zealand appeared first on Matador Network.

What happens when you leave Philly

It’s no secret that Philadelphians have ties to the city that run deep and a love for the place that only fellow locals can understand. Thus, leaving Philly has its consequences — it’s a unique culture. If you have lived there all your life and decide to move away, you’ll be in for a big dose of culture shock. Here are 10 things that will happen if you leave Philadelphia.

1. When you say “youse” people will stare at you.

Better yet, say “youse guys” and see what happens. Everyone inside a 50-mile radius of Philly will understand you; everyone outside that boundary will take a second and stare blankly. In my experience, ignore the confused response and continue talking in your own dialect. It’s charming, right?

2. People ask you to talk s-l-o-w-e-r.

That mile a minute pace is woven throughout the fiber of your being. Your new friends and colleagues better pay attention and keep up because there is no unraveling that thread!

3. The quest for a real cheesesteak comes up empty.

The phrase “fake it til’ you make it” doesn’t work with this one. Nowhere — and I mean nowhere — gets the true Philly flavor down. There’s no better reason to head back to the City of Brotherly Love than to savor that true cheesesteak taste again.

4. No one tells it like it is.

It’s almost as though others are speaking in code, and they’re shocked by a true Philadelphia native’s brutal honesty. There’s no beating around the bush, but a bit of sugar coating may be necessary for survival…especially if you end up in the South.

5. Professional sports just aren’t the same.

It’s no secret that Philly has it all — football, basketball, baseball, and hockey — and eastern PA folks grew up getting their fill. When you leave, sports teams are no longer at your fingertips, and the chances of living near a pro hockey team are slim to none.

6. Getting around isn’t as easy.

Admit it, we Philadelphians are super spoiled when it comes to travel. With SEPTA, Amtrak, Greyhound, and an international airport at our fingertips, getting anywhere in the city — or the world — is pretty much a breeze compared to other places. You’ll need to get good at strategizing.

7. Parking tickets are a thing of the past.

Center City folks know what it’s like to break a sweat — even in the dead of winter — when it comes to parking. If you relocate to most other cities in the US, worrying about where your car is and how long it spends in that spot will no longer be punishable by a small fortune that you need to take a mortgage out to cover.

8. Snow becomes a reason to panic.

Long gone are the days where snow was no big deal. A dusting? No problem. Two feet? No problem. Move away from the city and people buy bread and milk as though it’s the apocalypse. And don’t even get me started on school closings…

9. You defend your sports fans.

Word on the street is that Eagles fans are crazy. Wait…what? No matter what anyone says, Philly’s finest sports team — and their fans — can still do no wrong. The upside? Take comfort in the fact that everyone outside of Philly pretty much hates the Cowboys just as much as you do.

10. Other Philadelphians become family.

When you hear someone is from PA, you quickly narrow down where exactly they’re from and who they know. If they say Pittsburg or Scranton, you know they don’t get it, but when they say “Philly” it’s as though you’ve just reunited with your long lost best friend, and youse guys are sure to have a great time reminiscing about home.


More like this: 8 signs you learned to drink in Philly

The post The 10 things that happen when you leave Philadelphia appeared first on Matador Network.

Underwater villa to open in Maldives

If a view of the ocean doesn’t do it for you any longer, a view of what’s going on underwater may be what you need. The Muraka, the world’s first underwater villa, will open at the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island resort this November. Guests will be able to dive down into the lodging five meters underwater, where they will be completely surrounded by marine life. There’s no shortage of space in this Japanese-designed accommodation. It can house up to nine guests, and contains a spiral staircase and elevator. And don’t worry — it’s built to withstand anything the ocean might throw at it, so you won’t even wake up if a shark crashes through your bedroom.

Photo: Conrad Maldives Rangali Island

The 5,921-square-foot living space will include a bathroom with an ocean-facing tub, glass-panelled bedrooms, butler’s quarters, a bar and dining area, a powder room, and a kitchen. If you feel the need to venture above water, you’ll find two sun terraces and a private infinity pool. Guests can also enjoy water sports, customized excursions, and amenities such as daily spa treatments, exclusive use of the resort’s yachts and speedboats, an on-call personal yoga instructor, private chef, and fitness trainer.

Photo: Conrad Maldives Rangali Island

Rates for the underwater Muraka villa have not yet been announced, but we imagine they won’t exactly be cheap. For a small taste of the experience, however, you can dine at Ithaa, the resort’s underwater restaurant (the first in the world), which is already accepting reservations.

Photo: Conrad Maldives Rangali Island

H/T: VIVA

More like this: 48 epic dream hotels to visit before you die

The post The world’s first underwater villa set to open in November in the Maldives appeared first on Matador Network.

Paris metro station planned makeover

The Parisian metro system may be the sixth-largest in the world, carrying nearly 1.5 billion passengers each year over 132 miles of track, but it has some quirks. One of them is the 11 stations that sit unused all year around. One Paris mayoral candidate wants to clean up these abandoned stations, and breathe new life into them.

Photo: OXO Architectes

Photo: OXO Architectes

Candidate Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet hopes to turn the unused stations into spaces all Parisians can enjoy. She’s partnered with French architects Manal Rachdi and Nicolas Laisné from OXO Architectes to conceive several potential uses for the stations, including a subterranean garden, a nightclub, and a swimming pool. In a statement via email, Rachdi said, “This project aims to bring back to life these ghost stations […] to swim in the metro seems like a crazy dream, but it could soon come true!” The old subway stations could also be used to compensate for a lack of public sporting facilities aboveground.

Photo: OXO Architectes

Photo: OXO Architectes

Kosciusko-Morizet, who once served as the Minister of Transport, has a not-so-secret fascination with the Paris metro, calling it “a charming place — at the same time anonymous and familiar.” Should she win the election, the abandoned stations would be redesigned according to ideas and suggestions from local Parisians.

H/T: Smithsonian.com

More like this: ‘World’s longest art exhibit’: a visual guide to Stockholm’s subway stations

The post Paris’ abandoned metro stations might be getting a snazzy makeover appeared first on Matador Network.

Mallorca is protesting tourism

Mallorca, an island off the coast of Spain, is drowning in international visitors, and it’s had enough. On Saturday, a group of local protestors gathered in the arrivals terminal of Palma de Mallorca International Airport with signs that read, “One Airline Every Minute is Not Sustainable.” On Sunday, several hotels on Mallorca reported being vandalized with tags like “Tourism Kills the City!” Two local anti-tourist groups, Ciutat and Tot Inclòs, have declared this to be the “Summer of Action” against the influx of tourists to their popular island.

#TourismKillsMallorca

Cada dia, passa una mitjana de 1097 vols per l'aeroport de Palma. No vivim del turisme, el turisme ens mata!

Turisme de masses = precarietat laboral.
Lloguer turístic = habitatge insostenible. pic.twitter.com/8bgSX7UOlD

— Endavant OSAN (@Endavant_OSAN) 15 juillet 2018

Mallorca, the largest of Spain’s Balearic Islands, hosted 10 million visitors last year. An average of 1,094 flights land on the island each day between May and October, and, some days also bring as many as 17,000 cruise ship passengers, explains The Telegraph.

According to fliers distributed at the airport, the Ciutat group says that excessive tourism has created an “extreme environmental crisis,” and “the commercialization of the landscape, environment, and heritage.” Tot Inclòs adds that housing prices in Palma’s Old Town have spiked due to the wealthy tourists staying nearby. The local government has, however, taken some measures to curb the effects of overtourism. Last year they doubled the tourist tax to $4.64 per person per day and heavy restrictions have been placed on short-term listings like Airbnb.

Mallorca is not the only part of Spain fed up with the excessive numbers of visitors. Barcelona has been dealing with anti-tourist sentiments for several years, and, recently, the people of Ibiza have been protesting the impact of overtourism on their island, says The Telegraph.

H/T: Condé Nast Traveler

More like this: 11 overrun destinations that are trying to curb tourism

The post Mallorca has developed a bad case of tourism phobia appeared first on Matador Network.

Hagia Sophia in Istanbul has a cat

Initially a Greek Orthodox basilica, then an Ottoman imperial mosque, now the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul is a museum/cat house. Indeed, the gorgeous piece of architecture is the home of a cat named Gli. She is a European shorthair with slightly-crossed eyes, and she’s been living inside the Hagia Sophia for nearly 14 years. Naturally, she’s become popular with the museum’s visitors.

Une publication partagée par Gli The Hagia Sophia Cat (@hagiasophiacat) le 9 Juin 2018 à 11 :59 PDT

“She really, really likes to pose,” tour guide Umut Bahçeci, who runs Gli’s official Instagram account, told Lonely Planet. “If she wants to interact with people she will stand under the Muezzins’ lodge, but if she is [too] tired to be hugged she will sit down in the middle of the omphalos.” The omphalos is a roped-off area where Byzantine emperors used to be crowned.

Une publication partagée par Gli The Hagia Sophia Cat (@hagiasophiacat) le 16 Janv. 2018 à 5 :17 PST

If you absolutely must interact with Gli on your visit to Hagia Sophia, you should take note of her seasonal movements. Her favorite spot changes depending on the weather. “In winter she loves standing right in front of the projector light,” says Bahçeci. The projector illuminates the altar and the pulpit, but during the summer you can find her resting on the floor, in the patches of light streaming through the windows.

Une publication partagée par Gli The Hagia Sophia Cat (@hagiasophiacat) le 22 Juin 2018 à 8 :03 PDT

While Gli’s sister Kizim also lives inside the Hagia Sophia, Gli definitely steals the spotlight. She even met Barack Obama during one of his official visits. You can follow the adventures of Gli on her Instagram account, as long as you don’t mind that a cat has more followers than you.

H/T: Lonely Planet

More like this: These traveling Insta-cats prove cats are the purr-fect travel companions

The post This cat has lived in Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia for 14 years appeared first on Matador Network.

Trucker's travels over four years

When you think of the perfect career for travel, being a trucker probably isn’t the first or most glamorous option that comes to mind. But the truth is, the life of a truck driver provides you with some of the best opportunities to explore the country, venturing to corners you never thought you’d see. Whether it’s the small towns of the Midwest, the far northern reaches of Canada, or the more tropical climate of Florida, truck drivers routinely get to live out many people’s road-trip fantasies.

Photo: imgur

This map shows the amount of land covered by one truck driver in the course of just four years. While you might be inclined to think truck drivers simply pass through their destinations without spending much time there, the dots on the map represent locations where the driver spent over an hour. And as you can see, there are many dots.

Much of the trucker’s time was spent in the northeast as is evidenced by the big cluster of dots, but a big chunk of California was also covered, as well as a variety of cross-country routes. The stops weren’t limited to the United States, either. The trucker’s travels also spanned from Canada’s Yukon all the way to Nova Scotia.

H/T: Imgur

More like this: Meet the badass Siberian truckers who risk their lives literally driving on thin ice

The post This map tracks the travels of an American trucker over four years appeared first on Matador Network.

Architectural oddities in Paris

There are a ton of things to see in Paris, but many of them involve standing in line for a couple of hours and spending some cash. If you don’t want to do that or if you need a break from the crowds of visitors, you can still see some amazing Parisian artwork, and be outside getting some exercise and fresh air while doing so. So, plug these addresses into Google Maps, slip on some comfy shoes, and schedule your visit to Le Louvre for another day, because you’re going to walk around and see some beautiful examples of Parisian architecture you never knew existed — for free.

1. 185, rue Belliard, 18th arrondissement

A post shared by Michel Paoli (@michelpaoli) on Mar 11, 2018 at 12:33am PST

Although the 18th arrondissement attracts a lot of tourists, this part of the borough does not; rue Belliard is not close to Le Sacré Coeur or Montmartre, and visitors tend to stick to these two big landmarks. But, if you walk a few minutes north, you’ll see one of the most unique and unexpected pieces of architecture in the city at street number 185 of rue Belliard. This large city house, now divided into apartments, was designed by its first owner, architect Henry Deneux, in 1913. The building is a flat-roofed, concrete structure covered with colorful ceramic tiles that are organized to create unusual motifs that are sure to catch the eyes of all passersby. Above the door is a representation of the architect at work, also made of ceramic tiles. If you want to make your Insta feed pop with originality, this will be much more effective than a shot of the Arc de Triomphe.

2. 57, rue de Turbigo, 3rd arrondissement

Une publication partagée par ann_alb (@ann_alb) le 27 Sept. 2017 à 3 :11 PDT

Le Marais, a neighborhood that comprises the third and part of the fourth arrondissement of Paris, is a great area to explore on foot. The Jewish Quarters, the Place des Vosges and its park, and the Paris City Hall are all spots that you should take the time to check out on a leisurely walk. And while you do that, you need to keep your eyes wide open, because the beautiful statue of an enigmatic woman on the facade of the building located at street number 57 on rue Turbigo, may just pass you by if you don’t. Although it’s enormous (it stretches up three stories), it’s way off the ground, so those who don’t look up will miss it and miss out. Nobody knows for sure what it represents, but because its creator’s name is Auguste Delange (“from the angel” in French), and because it sports a pair of wings, the statue that supports the balcony of the second-to-last floor with her head is often described as “the angel of Turbigo.” Although it was created in 1851, the angel has been gracing this building since 1859 with her mystic beauty.

3. The Lavirotte building, 29 avenue Rapp, 7th arrondissement

Une publication partagée par Amine (@ama_zzz_in) le 10 Déc. 2017 à 7 :12 PST

If you can’t imagine a trip to Paris without getting to the top of the Eiffel Tower, do it. But once you’ve had a good look at the view through the safety mesh fence, get down, walk three minutes along the Seine quays towards the Pont de l’Alma, and turn right on avenue Rapp. Locating street number 29 won’t be difficult as it’s the most exuberant house on this avenue. The Lavirotte building is a seven-story Art Nouveau house built between 1900 and 1901 by Jules Lavirotte, an architect clearly inspired by Antoni Gaudí’s work in Barcelona. The top part of the house is covered in colorful ceramic tiles, sculptures of animals and flowers, wrought-iron balconies, arches, and columns, all of them so over-the-top that it’s hard to take them in all at once. The bottom part of the house is dominated by the massive door made of wood and wrought iron that maliciously hides an inverted penis in its design. Around the door, there are sculpted botanical details and two characters that seem to be engaging in some flirtatious behaviour. The facade of this house won the annual Parisian frontage competition in 1901 (this unusual competition stopped in the 1930s).

4. 24, place Etienne Pernet, 15th arrondissement

A post shared by ▪DORIAN▪ (@dorian_diekirch) on Jun 25, 2017 at 2:30pm PDT

If you’re visiting Paris and hanging around the 15th arrondissement, chances are you’re either looking for the Parisian Statue of Liberty (yeah, there’s one smack in the middle of the Seine) or wanting to climb the Tour Montparnasse (where you’ll get the best view of Paris). Both of these landmarks are great spots to check out, but there’s more to see in this arrondissement that’s worth taking some detours. One of them is located on the Place Etienne Pernet, a square with a few trees, a small fountain, and a couple of benches that seems rather nondescript until you notice street number 24 — one of the most in-your-face examples of Art Nouveau architecture you’ll find in Paris. Anyone not paying attention would miss this beautiful 1905 building and its ornate curves and organic, interlacing design (that resembles piped buttercream frosting) around the windows, balconies, and above the wrought-iron front door. The architect, Alfred Wagon, included botanical elements (artichokes, pineapples, flower, etc.) all over, so open your eyes wide and play a game of “I spy” to spot them all. Also, while you’re checking it out, think about the lucky people who get to live in such a pretty apartment building, because, yes, it’s inhabited.

5. Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, 9th arrondissement

A post shared by Happily Ever After (@happilyeverafter.antwerpen) on Jul 3, 2018 at 2:17pm PDT

Although the Galeries Lafayette are very well known and attract a lot of foot traffic, visitors are often more interested by the luxury items for sale in the department store than by its incredible architecture. But the details of the magnificent building are just as fascinating as a visit to any Parisian museum — and there’s no entry fee. Although it is beautiful, don’t spend too much time looking at the exterior of the building because it’s the Paris Art Nouveau style inside that’s the real showstopper. From the massive staircase inspired by the nearby Palais Garnier (the Paris Opera) to the exuberant wrought-iron balconies to the gorgeous 43-foot-high, steel-frame, stained-glass cupola, the place is simply grandiose. So, don’t bother with the fancy jewelry, expensive perfume, and overpriced items of clothing and enjoy the decor instead.

Note that because its window displays, massive Christmas tree, and lights are out-of-this-world amazing, the holidays are the busiest time of the year at the Galeries Lafayette. So if you’re not comfortable with crowds, just avoid the area entirely in December. On a regular day, especially mid-morning, when Parisians are busy at work, you’ll have enough space to admire every detail of the building — and you may even be able to go all the way up to the terrace to check out one of the best views of the French capital.

6. La Cité du Figuier, 104, rue Oberkampf, 11th arrondissement

A post shared by Marie Hacene (@marietom1) on Nov 29, 2016 at 1:44pm PST

A 15-minute walk from the famous Parisian cemetery Le Père Lachaise, you’ll find the oddly bucolic Cité du Figuier, a narrow cobblestone dead-end street filled with plants (including one enormous fig tree, hence the street’s moniker). La Cité du Figuier is a strange sight in a busy, urban environment like Paris, but it’s a welcome one. The short, quaint street is lined with quirky artists’ studios and residential apartments, colorful patio furniture, and hundreds of potted plants. One of the buildings in particular is eye catching. Painted bright turquoise and lime green, it’s a beautiful and unexpected pop of color. On the facade, a large strip of sculpted elephants and palm trees make this building even more Instagrammable.

7. Pagoda Paris, 48, rue de Courcelles, 8th arrondissement

A post shared by ann_alb (@ann_alb) on Jun 23, 2018 at 2:37am PDT

Probably the most surprising building in all of Paris, Pagoda Paris is a red, Chinese-style building that looks like it came straight from the Far East. In reality, before Mr. Ching Tsai Loo, a collector and dealer of Chinese and Asian art and antiques, purchased and transformed it in 1925, it was a regular, French Louis Philippe style building. The Chinese theme continues inside with beautiful lacquer panels decorating the rooms. The building was used as an art gallery for Chinese and Asian art and antiques as part of Mr. Loo’s business until 2011. Honoring the legacy of Mr. Loo, Pagoda Paris is still used to host important exhibitions and sales of Chinese and Asian art.


More like this: This instagrammer’s epic shots will show you Paris from a brand new perspective

The post 7 lesser-known Parisian architectural wonders you can check out for free appeared first on Matador Network.