Matador Network's Blog, page 640
June 4, 2021
How to make the most of your one day at the MoMA in New York City
The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) is undoubtedly one of the most famous museums in all of New York City. The idea for it came from Abby Rockefeller, Lillie Bliss, and Mary Quinn Sullivan, who were three influential figures in the art world, in 1929. They wanted to “challenge the conservative policies of traditional museums and establish an institution devoted exclusively to modern art.” With the help of founding members A. Conger Goodyear, Paul Sachs, Frank Crowninshield, Josephine Boardman Crane, and Alfred H. Barr, Jr., the museum opened the same year as its conception.
Located in midtown Manhattan, the MoMA features a collection of over 200,000 classic and modern artworks spread out over six floors, including paintings, drawings, photos, sculptures, and performance art pieces. Exploring the museum in full could take hours, so to make the planning more manageable and to make sure you get to see all the important pieces before you have to leave, we’ve made a list of some of the best tips on how to make the most of your one-day visit at the MoMA.
Before you go: the #1 piece of advice for visiting the MoMAThe best times to visitGuided toursFive must-see pieces and collections and why they matterMost underrated pieces/galleries to check outWhat you can skipWhat you didn’t knowBefore you go: the #1 piece of advice for visiting the MoMAThe best piece of advice anyone can give to future MoMA visitors is: Book your tickets before you arrive in New York City. Entry to the museum is by advance timed entry only, and while there is a chance you may be able to show up and see if there’s any availability for a walk-in, you don’t want to risk being turned away. Once you’re inside, you can stay as long as you like, but you can only enter at a specific time. Booking in advance ensures you can get the exact time you want and allows you to plan the rest of your trip with ease.
The best times to visit
Photo: ymgerman/Shutterstock
The MoMA is open seven days a week, from 10:30 AM to 5:30 PM, though it has extended hours until 7:30 PM on Saturdays. While the later hours may seem tempting, we highly recommend avoiding visiting on a Saturday as it’s one of the busiest days. Or better yet, avoid the weekend altogether. Instead, visiting on a weekday during the mid-afternoon hours — when adults are at work and kids are at school — is your best bet for having the place to yourself.
Guided toursThe MoMA offers guided tours led by professional art historians, who can speak on any of the works in the museum’s collection during regular business hours. There are also exclusive before- or after-hours tours available (9:30 to 10:30 AM and 5:30 to 6:30 PM), which provide people with the opportunity to view the museum in a more intimate setting without any crowds.
Tours are available in multiple languages, for all group sizes, and can be customized to your specific interests. Prices for guided tours, including the cost of admission, are $34 for adults, $30 for seniors, $26 for students, $19 for children, and $14 for students of selected universities. The before-hours tours are $63 for adults and $59 for seniors, while after-hours tours are $75 for adults.
Five must-see pieces and collections and why they matter1. “The Starry Night” by Vincent van Gogh
Photo: MoMA The Museum of Modern Art/Facebook
Vincent van Gogh is one of the most well-known impressionist painters of all time. His “Starry Night” work is one of his most iconic, which he painted in 1889 during his time at the Saint-Paul de Mausole asylum in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France. It portrays a night sky over Saint-Rémy using darker blues and greens, which marked a noticeable shift from his earlier work. Copies of “The Starry Night” exist in museums worldwide, but the original finds its home on the MoMA’s fifth floor.
2. “The Persistence of Memory” by Salvador Dalí
Photo: Museum of Modern Art
Salvador Dalí is from the surrealism era of art, a movement categorized by dream-like depictions using various contrasting elements. His 1931 “Persistence of Memory” painting is not to be missed, and some say it’s what made the painter famous during his lifetime. Located on the MoMA’s fifth floor, it features a scene on a desolate coastal beach thought to be inspired by his native home in Catalonia, Spain, and multiple melting clocks on hard surfaces.
3. “Self-portrait with Cropped Hair” by Frida Kahlo
Photo: MoMA The Museum of Modern Art/Facebook
Frida Kahlo painted many self-portraits throughout her career. She once said it was because she is “so often alone” and because she’s the person she knows best. One of her most well-known self-portraits can be found at the MoMA, in which Kahlo has short hair and is wearing a loose-fitting suit. In the 1940 painting, she’s sitting down with a pair of scissors in her hand and cut hair strands are strewed about the floor. “Self Portrait with Cropped Hair” marks a departure from Kahlo’s previous self depictions, where she can usually be seen wearing dresses and floral ornaments.
4. “Campbell Soup Cans” by Andy Warhol
Photo: misu/Adobe Stock
Andy Warhol is arguably one of the most famous pop artists of all time. His “Campbell’s Soup Cans” is a series of 32 paintings of the Campbell Soup Company’s primary product and takes up an entire wall on the MoMA’s fourth floor. Warhol painted them in 1962, basing them on the lunch he would have every single day for twenty years. The simple yet striking work is so famous that it’s been printed on various forms of merchandise in droves over the years.
5. “One: Number 31” by Jackson Pollock
Photo: TLF Images/Shutterstock
Jackson Pollock was part of the abstract expressionist movement and frequently created his work by splashing paint onto canvases using different tools. Sometimes, he would even pour it straight out of the can onto the surface. In 1950, Pollock painted “One: Number 31,” which sits on a huge canvas — taking up an entire wall in the MoMA. The piece displays a splatter of various colors that somehow convey a sense of unease and urgency.
Most underrated pieces/galleries to check out1. The third-floor rotating exhibitsWhile the MoMA has several rotating exhibits throughout the building, its third floor is a mainstay dedicated to programs and installations that switch out every few months. Many people skip this floor in favor of prioritizing pieces from the MoMA’s permanent collection, but these temporary exhibits often provide a deeper lens into contemporary issues and are not to be missed. At the time of writing, the current exhibit is “Reconstructions: Architecture and Blackness in America,” which explores the relationship between race, Black spaces, and architecture in the United States.
2. “Magi© Bullet” by General Idea
Photo: MoMA The Museum of Modern Art/Facebook
In the Glenn and Eva Dublin Gallery is the “Magi© Bullet” exhibit. The room is filled with silver pill-shaped mylar balloons and visitors are allowed to take the deflated ones when they leave. The balloons’ shape is a metaphor meaning that much of society looks for temporary relief from illnesses, rather than taking the time to look at its source to prevent it in the future. Eventually, the balloons fall to the ground, meant to pay homage to people who lost their lives to AIDS.
What you can skip
Photo: MoMA Learning
Everything at the MoMA deserves special attention in its own right. Still, Roy Lichtenstein’s art may not appeal to some, as the infamous pop artist appropriated images from various comic book artists without ever giving them credit. Lichtenstein had a very particular brand of pop art, which would take images and parody them in a comic strip style. An example of this is his 1963 work “Drowning Girl,” which takes an image from “Run for Love!” — a story in DC comic book Secret Love #83. In the work, Lichtenstein cropped the image, so it focused on the woman rather than the whole image, and changed the dialogue in the speech bubble.
What you didn’t know
Photo: MoMA Design Store/Facebook
The MoMA has other properties in NYC. Further downtown in SoHo is one of the museum’s design stores, which sells home products from furniture to décor. However, beyond shopping for new home décor is an extension of the museum located in the borough of Queens. Founded in 1971, it was originally a separate institution called PS 1 Contemporary; it merged with the MoMA in 2000 and was renamed in 2010 to honor the merger’s 10th anniversary. MoMA PS1 focuses exclusively on modern art from the mid-1900s up until today. 
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6 decadent Middle Eastern desserts that are nutty, floral, and oh so sweet
From the Zagros Mountains in Iran to the Nile River of Egypt, the Middle East covers an ethnically, culturally, linguistically, and geographically diverse area that can’t be flattened into one homogeneous region. The food served in each country is just one example of the Middle East’s diversity, from Turkish and Palestinian cuisine to Jordanian and Iranian, to name but a few.
Despite the many culturally and culinarily unique aspects in the region, centuries of trade, migration, and conquests have led to an overlap in ingredients and cooking techniques. This is especially apparent in Middle Eastern sweets made with ingredients like dates, walnuts, pistachios, honey, rose, orange blossom water, and sesame seeds.
Many Middle Eastern desserts prominently feature nutty and floral flavors. They can be intensely, sometimes even cloyingly, sweet, which means they pair well with a freshly brewed cup of tea or Turkish coffee. Pastries are often soaked in a rose, orange blossom, or honey-flavored sugar syrup, adding texture and sweetness.
Each culture has its own variations on how these ingredients are used. Whereas Lebanese baklava may use walnuts, Turkish baklava might use pistachios or hazelnuts. What’s called basbousa in one country might be called hareesa in another. Friendly debates about where the “original” and “best” version of a dish are frequent. We think the best version of any dish is the one that’s right in front of you, ready to eat.
Here are 6 Middle Eastern desserts you’ve got to try featuring a few of the most popular ingredients in the region: pistachio, rose, and honey.
1. Ma’amoul
Photo: Zeid AbuSaad/Shutterstock
Ma’amoul is a shortbread cookie made from semolina flour stuffed with pistachios, walnuts, or dates flavored with orange flower water. Popular throughout Turkey and the Arab world, it’s a celebratory cookie that plays a part in all the major religious celebrations of the region. Ma’amoul is a centerpiece on Eid al-Fitr for Muslims, Easter for Christians, and Purim for Jewish people. The dome shaped cookie is often decorated using a wooden mold stamped with intricate designs.
2. Lokma
Photo: Nichola Chapman/Shutterstock
Recipes for luqmat al-qadi can be traced back to the 13th century, and it’s not hard to see why these sticky-sweet balls of dough have stuck around. Also known as zalabiya, awameh, or luqmat al-qadi, these small balls of leavened dough are deep fried and soaked in honey or rosewater syrup. Depending on where you are in the region, lokma will be spiced with cinnamon, cardamom, or saffron.
They’re a popular treat throughout the countries that were part of the former Ottoman empire, and are often eaten during times of celebration like Ramadan or Hanukkah. According to the Greek poet Callimachus, the Greek version of the dish, called loukoumades, were nicknamed “honey tokens,” and handed out during the Olympic games.
3. Bastani
Photo: simona flamigni/Shutterstock
Bastani is an Iranian ice cream flavored with rose, saffron, vanilla, and pistachios. It first appeared around 500 BCE, making this custard-based ice cream one of the first ice creams in the world. With its rich nutty and floral flavors, it’s decadent and luxurious, perfect for a hot summer day. It’s used to make other popular treats as well, like ab-haveej bastani, which is an Iranian carrot juice ice cream float topped with bastani.
4. Riz bi haleeb
Photo: Saviz Sarshar/Shutterstock
If there’s one thing that can unite the world, it just might be rice pudding. Versions of this comforting dessert can be found on every continent except Antarctica. In Syria and Lebanon, riz bi haleeb is served cold, flavored with rose water, and often garnished with pistachios. In Turkey, sütlaç is also served cold but is flavored with cinnamon.
The Iranian take on this dish, called sholezard, has a deep yellow hue from saffron. A dash of fragrant rosewater is often added to the recipe, and the resulting dessert is often decorated in elegant and intricate patterns using a combination of rose petals, almonds, pistachios, and cinnamon. Sholezard can be prepared anytime of year, but it’s especially popular on celebratory occasions like nowruz, or Persian New Year.
5. Basbousa
Photo: SLSK Photography/Shutterstock
Originating from Egypt, basbousa is a semolina-based cake that’s cut into diamond or square shaped pieces and is topped with almonds soaked in a rose or orange blossom-flavored sugar syrup. It’s popular throughout the Arab world and Middle East, and goes by a variety of different names. In the Levant, it’s called namoura of hareesa (not to be confused with the spicy condiment, spelled harissa), whereas in Turkey it’s called revani. Moist, chewy, and devastatingly sweet, this cake pairs perfectly with a cup of tea.
6. Baklava2>
Photo: korkut kazcin/Shutterstock
No list of Middle Eastern desserts would be complete without baklava. Originating in the royal kitchens of the Ottoman empire, this filo-based pastry is especially popular in Turkey and Iran. Some theories claim that an early version of baklava made with flatbread was first prepared during the reign of the Assyrian Empire around 800 BCE. However, most historians agree that the modern version of the dessert is a product of 15th century culinary masterminds in Constantinople, who prepared it for aristocrats. Records kept in the Topkapı Palace kitchens report that dessert was prepared there in 1473.
Today, the dessert consists of layers of paper thin filo dough filled with chopped walnuts, pistachios, or hazelnuts. The layered dessert is then soaked in a sweet rose, orange blossom, or honey-flavored syrup. Because of all the fragile layers of dough, making baklava can be a labor-intensive process, but the decadent pastry is worth the effort.
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You can watch a manatee derby to raise money for World Oceans Day
Manatees are one of the most docile animals in the ocean. One of the best places to spot them has always been Florida. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, Florida manatee deaths increased by 20 percent. Patrick Rose, executive director of the Save the Manatee Club, told CNN that he believes 1,000 more manatees could die by the end of this year. That’s why Funky Buddha Premium Hard Seltzer has come up with a “funky” way to save the manatees with its first annual Manatee Derby.
The Manatee Derby, taking place on June 8th at 6 PM EST, in honor of World Oceans Day, will feature celebrity guests “maybe,” an announcer, fake jockeys (because you should never ride or touch the creatures), and a half-time show from NSYNC members Joey Fatone and Chris Kirkpatrick.
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The brand will also be writing a $30,000 check made out to the Save The Manatee Club for research and rescue. It will match viewers’ donations from Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia up to $20,000, according to the brand. Buddha Premium Hard Seltzer said it’s holding the Manatee Derby because supporting clean water charities is an integral part of the brand — not to mention the brand and the manatees rely on clean water to survive, as polluted water means polluted seagrass that the manatees eat.
“Funky Buddha doesn’t do anything the ordinary way,” Creative Director Cora Fernandez said in a news release. “So, we couldn’t take the ordinary approach to help manatees. We needed a funky, unexpected idea that not only kept people entertained but that portrayed these lovable sea cows as strong, heroic animals that you want to root for – and help save. As a creative team, it’s always special when we can create a campaign that makes you laugh while also helping a good cause. I mean, we got to make a manatee race. What else can we ask for?”
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United adds supersonic aircraft that can travel at over 1,300 mph to its fleet
On June 3, 2021, United Airlines announced its commercial agreement with aerospace company Boom Supersonic to add 15 of Boom’s ‘Overture’ supersonic airliners to its fleet.
Boom is currently working to bring Overture up to US commercial airlines’ safety, operating, and sustainability standards. When those requirements are met, Boom will deliver 15 supersonic aircraft to United Airlines, with a potential order for 35 more.
Photo: United Airlines
Overture can fly at speeds of Mach 1.7 (1,300 mph), i.e., twice the rates of today’s fastest airliner. According to United Airlines’ news release, the aircraft is also expected to be the first large commercial aircraft to be net-zero carbon since it will run on 100 percent sustainable aviation fuel.
The aircraft can fly to more than 500 destinations in nearly half the time as today’s airliners, the news release says. Potential routes for the future are Newark to London in 3.5 hours, Newark to Frankfurt in four hours, and San Francisco to Tokyo in six hours.
United’s Overture supersonic aircraft are expected to roll out in 2025, fly in 2026, and in 2029 are expected to carry passengers.
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A ‘ring of fire’ solar eclipse will be visible from North America next week
On June 10, an exciting astronomical event is taking place: an annular solar eclipse, aka “ring of fire” eclipse. On May 26, 2021, people in the US witnessed a total lunar eclipse, and now some of them will soon have the chance to admire another exceptional celestial phenomenon.
On Thursday, June 10, the moon will pass between the earth and the sun, obscuring all but the sun’s outer edge and creating the “ring” effect.
Photo: Hyserb/Shutterstock
The June 10 annular solar eclipse will be fully visible in Canada, Greenland, and Siberia, Russia. However, people in northeastern North America, Greenland, northern Europe, and northern Asia will only be able to see it partially, CBS News reported.
Photo: NASA
According to Earth Sky, for those in the annular solar eclipse path, the ring effect will last three minutes and 51 seconds.
If you want to view the annular solar eclipse, make sure to wear solar eclipse glasses to avoid damaging your eyes.
If you don’t get a chance to see the annular solar eclipse or the partial eclipse, there are many more astronomical events that you can check out this year. The next solar eclipse will take place on December 4, 2021, and will be primarily visible from Antarctica.
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11 places to stay in Switzerland for epic views of Alpine peaks and glittering lakes
We hope you love the spaces and stays we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.
Switzerland may be small, but it’s mighty scenic. Regardless of the time of year you visit or the region you choose to explore, there are jaw-dropping views to admire, like snow-capped peaks, glacial lakes, lush green pastures, and chalet villages. You can enjoy those views from the country’s rail network, by driving or hiking to charming villages, but we recommend you take in those stunning landscapes by waking up to them. From five-star luxury hotels, to gondola-turned-tiny-house, here are 11 of the best places to stay for great views while in Switzerland.
Observatory by Randolins, St Moritz
Photo: Observatory by Randolins
Perched 6561 feet above St Moritz, Observatory by Randolins is a former observatory-turned that has been converted into a unique hotel room that has one of the most expansive night sky views you can wish for. The room features a closed dome with a small window that can be opened for uninterrupted star gazing. The room itself comes with a cozy double bed and a private bathroom down the hall.
Sleeps two, adults only.
Prices start at $330
Photo: 22 Summits Zermatt/Facebook
22 Summits is a four-star, family-run boutique hotel in Zermatt. Combining classic alpine chalet design with luxurious modern amenities, it is full of laid-back charm. And with vistas from every room of the surrounding peaks, including the mighty Matterhorn, you are guaranteed some of the most iconic Switzerland views. And the outdoor hot tub is the perfect place to unwind after a day on the slopes.
Prices start at $330 per night for double rooms.
Hotel Kirchbühl, Grindelwald
Photo: Hotel Kirchbühl/Facebook
The storybook village of Grindelwald, set at the foot of the north face of the Eiger, is a picture-postcard destination that screams Swissness. The elegant Hotel Kirchbühl offers double rooms and suites with magnificent mountain views over the village church to the UNESCO Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch World Heritage site.
Prices start at $189 for double rooms.
Comfortable apartment in a unique location, Lake Lucerne
Photo: Vrbo
Just five minutes from Bunnen, this apartment is located in a renovated Swiss chalet-style home. Its position on a rock terrace directly above Lake Lucerne delivers one of the most famous of Switzerland views — that of Lake Lucerne. The apartment has two double beds, a full kitchen, and an open-plan living room that opens up onto the deck.
Sleeps four.
From $154 per night
Photo: Airbnb
If you dream of getting away from it all, this holiday home in the mountain village of Cumbel is the most scenic place to escape to. This stylish two-bedroom home has a cozy wood interior with a modern kitchen and picture windows affording a crazy vista over the Signina alps. It’s a great base for outdoors enthusiasts, no matter the season — you’re in the heart of the mountains.
Sleeps two
Prices start at $165 per night.
Photo: Swiss Youth Hostels
Even hostels come with stunning views in Switzerland. Bella Lui hostel, which means “beautiful light” in the old Valais dialect, is located in the Valais Alps in the south of the country, and is a hostel worth checking out. With three large sun terraces, and expansive windows, you’ll be captivated by the alpine panorama, and many never want to leave. If you do, there’s no shortage of biking, hiking, skiing, and water sports on offer. The hostel has six-bed, four-bed, and double rooms.
Prices start at $52 per night in a six-bed dorm.
Hotel Alex Lake Zürich, Zurich
Photo: Alex Lake Zürich/Facebook
While there are beautiful water views to admire from just about every corner of this hotel, the best vista at Alex Lake Zürich might just be from the restaurant. Since reopening in 2019, this exclusive five-star superior hotel sits pretty on the shores of Lake Zurich. Studio apartments offer full kitchens and lake views that are ideal for independent short stays and longer trips. Don’t miss dinner at the on-site restaurant The Boat House, which is famous for its bouillabaisse and tuna saku, and from where the views will leave you weak in the knees. Jump aboard the hotel boat to get to Zurich city centre in style.
Prices start at $387 per night.
Hotel Staubach, Lauterbrunnen
Photo: Hotel Staubbach
Lord of the Rings fans will love waking up to the views that inspired J. R. R. Tolkien. The scenery in Lauterbrunnen Valley is dramatic, with steep cliffs rising on either side of the beautiful little town below. Over 72 waterfalls drop from the cliff on a magical background of snowy peaks, and Hotel Staubbach — named after the highest of the falls — is one of the best places to admire the dramatic landscapes. From your room, listen to the sounds of cowbells ringing from the alpine pastures, and keep your eyes peeled for paragliders floating above the magnificent landscape.
Prices start at $131 for a room with a shared bathroom.
Hotel De Gruyères, Gruyères
Photo: Gruyeres Hotels/Facebook
No list of the best Switzerland views would be complete without mentioning the Gruyères canton, famous for producing the cheese that makes up the national dish: Fondue. Wake up to the sounds, sights, and smells of the Swiss countryside air at Hotel de Gruyerès. The hotel sits at the gates of the medieval Gruyères Castle at the foothills of Mount Moléson. The best place to take in this iconic view is from the hotel terrace, where you can enjoy fondue with the sound of cowbells in the distance and watch the local herd of deer graze peacefully.
Prices start at $145 per night.
Hotel Beau Rivage, Geneva
Photo: Beau-Rivage Genève/Facebook
The 19th-century Hotel Beau Rivage in Geneva guarantees a mind-blowing vista from every room. In the heart of Geneva, this five-star hotel mixes world charm and contemporary chic. Lake view rooms look over the 450-foot high Jet d’Eau fountain, but park or city-view rooms are just as exceptional. Learn something new by taking a cooking class with a Michelin-starred chef in the hotel kitchen. Cocktail classes and pastry cooking classes are also on offer.
Prices start at $617 per night.
Tiny House Gondel, Brunni
Photo: Little City.ch/Facebook
For a truly Swiss experience, spend the night in a repurposed cable car. Installed on a rock needle in the Brunni area, just south of Lucerne, a night at Tiny House Gondel will be an unforgettable experience. Stargaze as you fall asleep, and as the sun rises in the morning, a 360-degree mountain panorama will come to life before your eyes. And don’t worry, the gondola is heated!
Sleeps two
Prices start at $542 per night.
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A global initiative will plant 23 million trees around the world
This is The Climate Win, the most positive sustainability news around the world every week.
This week’s Climate Win is about a quick action you can take to do a bit of green good with an extra dollar lying around. A massive tree-planting initiative is back for a second year. #teamtrees, a global tree planting program that plants a tree for every dollar donated, is approaching its second full year and is continuing to accept donations.
#teamtrees, which started as an online challenge in 2019, has partnered with the Arbor Day Foundation to plant trees as part of reforestation efforts around the world. Planting happens primarily in areas affected by wildfires, such as the 2017 Hanceville and Elephant Hill fires in British Columbia and the 2018 Carr and Camp fires in California. It also works to restore treelines along the Mississippi River Delta throughout Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, and in many similar projects across the country. Globally, the effort has committed to planting nearly one million trees in Nicaragua, more than three million in Africa, more than two million in Africa, and over one million in South America.
If you elect to donate, you can choose any amount of $1 or greater, in increments of $1, and elect to have your name displayed on the #teamtrees website. To date, over eight million trees have been planted, which obviously leaves the vast majority still to come — but by partnering with the Arbor Day Foundation, #teamtrees is able to secure volunteers and workers to continue to plant trees around the globe.
For travelers, this program to plant trees can be a great way to offset the carbon emissions of a recent trip, or get ahead on offsetting your future travels. One tree can absorb about 48 pounds per year, and you can calculate a rough estimate of your offset needed via the calculator at SavingNature.com.
The video below offers a cute take on how it works.
More climate wins this weekThe Biden administration nixed oil and gas leasing in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge this week, The New York Times reported, perhaps ending any hope of drilling in one of America’s largest stretches of protected wilderness. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland paused the leases until a formal environmental review can be conducted along with a review of the legality of the leases granted for drilling in the refuge.
The UK will launch trials to suck carbon directly from the air in what will be among the world’s largest carbon capture programs, The Guardian reported. Trees, peat, rock chips, and charcoal will be used to suck carbon from the air on over 247 acres of land across the country, as part of the country’s plan to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.
Sustainability-focused diving excursions are becoming increasingly common in Key West and along the rest of the Florida Keys. This is demonstrated by Honest Eco and other local tour operators, who focus not only on eco-friendly tours, but on educating their clients about how to visit the Great Florida Reef in the least-harmful way possible.
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Qantas uses ‘wheel whackers’ to scare off rattlesnakes hiding in its planes
Australian airline Qantas put many of its planes in storage in 2020 when travel to and from Australia dramatically slowed down because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But stored airplanes still need to be inspected weekly. Qantas engineers in charge of maintenance have had to develop an unexpected pre-inspection routine: scaring off rattlesnakes and scorpions from planes.
Qantas has been storing its A380 superjumbos planes in California’s Mojave Desert, as the dry heat and low humidity makes it an ideal place to store aircrafts. Upon routine checks on the planes, the Qantas engineers realized that some of the planes had attracted deadly critters like rattlesnakes and scorpions. The maintenance team came up with a simple but effective way to remove them — “wheel whackers” made from repurposed broom handles.
Photo: Qantas
According to a news update on the airline’s website, “The first thing we do before we unwrap and start any ground inspections of the landing gear, in particular, is to walk around the aircraft stomping our feet and tapping the wheels with a wheel whacker to wake up and scare off the snakes. That’s about making sure no harm comes to our engineers or the snakes. Only then do we carefully approach each wheel and unwrap them before performing our pressure checks and visual inspections.”
Experts don’t think travel will return to pre-COVID-19 levels for at least another two years — and Australia is not expected to reopen to travelers before 2022 — so many of those planes are still on the ground.
Photo: Qantas
Other procedures performed once the planes are in storage include inspections to drain fuel tanks of water caused by condensation, rotating the wheels to avoid flat spots, checking tire pressure, and more.
“Aircraft like these are highly technical and you can’t just land it at the storage facility, park it and walk away. It’s really important that even when in deep storage, the aircraft are maintained to the Qantas standard,” Qantas reported in its news release.
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The procrastinator's guide to travel
Hey, you — the procrastinator sitting there, scrolling the afternoon away instead of planning that weekend getaway you keep meaning to take. It feels like the more time passes, the less likely you are to pull this trip off. Plus, with stricter air travel security and heightened health measures put in place during the pandemic, spontaneous travel seems like a relic of the distant past.
But it’s definitely not. With low fares from Greyhound across the US, right now is the perfect time to start planning this weekend’s ramble. And with this guide, you’ll have some solid tips to make sure your spur-of-the-moment trip goes according to plan — or lack thereof. So, you’re free this weekend? Great. You’ve got a couple days to get everything in order. Here’s how.
Explore this weekend’s deals on GreyhoundBEFORE YOU BOOK
Photo: /Shutterstock
Go on and procrastinate.No, for real. Greyhound’s low fares are a travel-procrastinator’s dream come true. With prices starting at $10, you can afford to put off planning your weekend of casino-hopping in Atlantic City or soaking your quarantine blues away in Desert Hot Springs. There are always affordable fares available within the next week, making Greyhound your getaway go-to, whenever you get around to that decision-making.
But if you see an unreal deal, grab it.It’s cheaper to book online than at the kiosk, so if you see a good deal, don’t hesitate. Snatch it up before someone else does.
That being said — if you happen to be a procrastinator who also panics at the idea of booking a trip on impulse, look at Greyhound’s ticket flexibility options. It offers refundable fares, free same-day exchange, and the ability to make changes with no additional fees as long as you’re doing so before your scheduled departure day. No catch, no strings attached.
Tip: You’ll save even more dough if you can travel midweek, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Can’t decide where to travel? Just go where you can #AffordToExplore.Greyhound has the most extensive bus network around, serving thousands of destinations across the United States. Whether your bucket list includes learning how to toss a fish at Seattle’s Pike Place Market or rediscovering your love of ragtime tunes in Texarkana, Greyhound can get you there.
Too many options to choose from and need to narrow it down by tomorrow? Check out Greyhound’s Instagram for inspo on the best destinations you can #AffordToExplore.
Nab that inexpensive hotel room.Greyhound customers receive discounted rates on hotels booked through their site — yet another way you can afford to explore. Plus, all your travel planning can be done in one place this way. Consider this another procrastinator perk since, otherwise, booking a hotel room would probably stay on that never-ending “I’ll do it tomorrow” list.
AFTER YOU BOOK
Photo: wee dezign/Shutterstock
Start planning the fun stuff.No shame, but if you’ve waited this long to book your trip, chances are you probably don’t have much of an itinerary for when you arrive. You can keep an eye out for events in the area that spark your joy, or you can just click back to Instagram. Consider Greyhound’s ‘gram your personal guide for finding things to do and places to eat, from the best hikes to sweat out your hangover in Vegas to the tastiest food-truck po’ boys in Baton Rouge.
Keep tabs on your bus and scheduled stops.BusTracker keeps you in the loop with live updates and approximate arrival times for your ride. You can also see expected stops with scheduled times to plan your leg-stretches and snack-foraging accordingly.
Just be sure not to wait until the last minute to round up some spare change — some of the shops and food stalls at rest stops en route only accept cash, so definitely plan ahead on this one.
Juice up and download your watch list.All good procrastinators forget to charge devices ahead of time — and Greyhound has you covered. Buses come with free WiFi and a power outlet at every seat to ensure your HBO binge goes uninterrupted. They’ve got their own library of movies and TV shows, too.
Snag the best seat for your travel style.Maybe you’re the type of person who enjoys slow travel, watching the landscapes shifting and changing across the country with your nose pressed against the glass. Or perhaps you prefer a spot along the aisle and a chance to stretch out a bit more. In either case, you’re in luck — there are no middle seats on Greyhound buses. Just remember that boarding begins up to 20 minutes before departure time, so arrive at the station early to snag your happy seat.
Start packing.Keep in mind that you’re allowed to bring one carry-on bag with you and store up to three bags under the bus. And while Greyhound buses try to keep the temperatures at a happy medium, you may want to play it safe and pack a blanket or cozy sweater in your carry-on. Make your ride even more comfortable by plugging in your headphones to serenade your journey.
But seriously — have you started packing yet?
The post The procrastinator’s guide to planning a last-minute trip THIS WEEKEND appeared first on Matador Network.
June 3, 2021
EU digital COVID-19 certificates will be available to US travelers
Formerly called the Green Certificate, seven countries in the European Union have begun trials of the new EU digital COVID-19 certificate that will grant holders the right to move freely between EU countries. And good news: If you’ve been dreaming of a Greek island vacation or a Croatian road trip this summer, the EU certificate will also be available to non-EU international travelers — including Americans.
“Right now if you’re an American, not living in the EU, you could get the certificate if you ask the national authorities of a member state [i.e. European Union member nation ] to give you that certificate-based on some proof that you’ve been vaccinated, or had a recent Covid test,” a spokesperson told CNN.
The EU digital COVID-19 certificate will be widely available on July 1. It will be available on your smartphone, with the option to request a paper copy. It will include information like your name, date of birth, the certificate issuer, and a QR code that will act as a unique identifier of your COVID-19 status. The software will store three types of certificates. The first is a vaccination certificate that will indicate your last vaccination date and if you’re only partly or fully vaccinated. Accepted vaccines are Moderna, Pfizer/BioNTech, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. The second is a test certificate indicating your negative test results from a NAAT test or rapid antigen test. And the third is proof of recovery of COVID-19 within the last 60 days.
Issuance of the certificate to members of the US will be dependent on each EU member state. Citizens from low-risk countries to enter so far include eight countries — Australia, Israel, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and China (although it’s currently subject to confirmation of reciprocity). Although it’s recommended that border control policy be the same across the EU, each country will decide whether they will accept proof of vaccination to waive travel restrictions from the US or other non-EU citizens.
The post EU digital COVID-19 certificates will be available to US travelers appeared first on Matador Network.
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