Matador Network's Blog, page 960

Electric snowmobiling in the Arctic

When Ari Karjalainen, the CEO of Aurora Powertrains, saw the first electric cars come to market, he knew he had to bring this technology to snowmobiles.

“I thought, why not make an electric snowmobile? [Regular] snowmobiles cause pollution and noise,” says Karjalainen.

A senior lecturer at Lapland University of Applied Sciences in Rovaniemi, Finland, with an electrical engineering background, Karjalainen was well-placed to design an electric vehicle that could withstand a harsh Arctic environment, including the challenges of making it snow-proof.

In 2017, Karjalainen and his team succeeded in creating an electric snowmobile — which his company calls an eSled. The appeal for travelers visiting the Arctic was immediately clear.

That’s because electric snowmobiles are utterly silent.

No noise. Period.

Photo: Aurora eMotion

In the Arctic winters, the stillness is unlike anything most of us experience in our daily lives. Adding the roar of a combustion engine not only disturbs wildlife, but it also diminishes the experience of being in the silent, frozen wilderness.

When people who’ve ridden a regular, noise-generating snowmobile get on an eSeld, though, Karjalainen says their first question is usually, “‘Is it on?’” Like turning on a light, an electric vehicle doesn’t whirr or roar. Karjalainen adds, “That is the key point: There is no noise.”

Add to that the absence of exhaust and emissions-generating pollution, and the appeal for anyone wishing to explore the pristine wilderness of Finnish Lapland — or other Arctic destinations — is clear.

Last year, in the winter of 2018-2019, Karjalainen and his partners began offering safaris to chase the northern lights and experience the wilderness of Finland’s Arctic reaches through a company they set up called Aurora eMotion. As the season continued on, they saw ever more travelers sign up for their unique tours.

In February of last year, Aurora eMotion also partnered with the Swedish energy company Vattenfall to offer eco-friendly transportation, using their eSleds, during the Alpine Ski Championships in Åre, Sweden.

Taking eSleds to the far north

Photo: Nordlys

Neighboring Norway took notice. The cruise company Hurtigruten had been looking for a more environmentally friendly way to offer tours in Svalbard, an archipelago of Norwegian islands that’s over 1,200 miles from the mainland and a mere 650 miles from the North Pole.

They ordered a fleet of eSleds, turning Aurora Powertrains into “an export company,” says Karjalainen with a bit of a laugh.

On Svalbard, the eSleds bring the added benefit that the electricity used to power them comes from sustainable sources. The electricity is generated by wind power in winter and by solar power during the endlessly sunlit days of summer.

And they are still so quiet.

Those Svalbard trips can be booked through Off the Map, a UK firm specializing in uncommon, environmentally conscious travel. “A lot of people talk about the silence of the Arctic,” says Johnathan Cooper, Off the Map’s founder and CEO. Cooper adds that when you can experience that silence without the hum of a regular snowmobile, “… you get a much better connection with the wilderness and the nature you’re in.”

A better wilderness experience

Photo: Aurora eMotion

Cooper also notes that, beyond the ecological benefit of not using petrol-, or diesel-, powered machines, and the lack of an engine’s roar, you have a much greater chance of spotting wildlife — from Arctic reindeer to ptarmigan birds or Arctic foxes.

The same is true in Finland. “We had an experience, when we came to the forest, there were some reindeer. Those reindeer starting walking beside the eSleds. They weren’t afraid at all. It was a very wonderful experience,” recalls Karjalainen.

Moreover, he says, guides can more easily talk with visitors, and visitors can enjoy the moment together. A couple sharing an eSled can talk with one another, something that’s impossible on a thunderous traditional snowmobile.

Karjalainen also designed the electric snowmobiles to be easier to use. They don’t accelerate as fast as regular snowmobiles, making them safer for first-time riders.

The eSleds have a range of about 20 miles, which is plenty of distance for Aurora eMotion’s tours — which typically travel about 10 to 15 miles in the three hours that they are exploring the wilderness or searching out the glow of the aurora borealis. There’s also a five-hour tour, but it includes two hours at a nearby husky farm, so the distance driven is the same.

Electric snowmobiles combine the benefits of snowshoeing with the ability of a traditional snowmobile to cover longer distances, Karjalainen says. It’s the magic of really feeling at one with the forest while going deeper into the woods than your own two feet could take you.

Electric snowmobile tours

Photo: Aurora eMotion

Aurora eMotion tours depart four times daily and offer such highlights as stopping in a hunting cabin deep in the forest to enjoy hot drinks, cookies, and sausages grilled on the fire. Prices run from €119 per person to €179 per person, depending on the time of day. Prices are higher for the husky farm tour.

They operate near the Arctic Snow Hotel, where accommodation options include staying in a hotel literally made of ice or cuddling up inside glass igloos, so you can gaze at the dark Arctic sky and seek out the aurora borealis.

The Arctic Snow Hotel even has a sauna made entirely of ice (yet another crazy sauna) for those who really like the contrasts of extreme temperatures. Or, if you’re traveling with family, you could add the Aurora eMotion trip onto a visit to Santa’s Village or many of the other things that make Rovaniemi a winter wonderland.

On the other hand, if you want to get way, way off the grid, Off the Map’s Green Aurora trip in Svalbard is an all-inclusive experience over four days. It includes airport transfers from Longyearbyen Airport, cozy lodging, meals, and of course, time on the eSleds under a sunless Arctic sky. The cost is 1,200 British pounds (US$1580, at today’s exchange) per person, exclusive of airfare.

A unique experience

Photo: Aurora eMotion

This winter, there aren’t too many other ways to enjoy the sensation of riding an electric snowmobile through the snowy northern silence. You can’t yet buy an eSled as an individual since Aurora Powertrains is currently only selling them to green tour operators.

The only other places you could drive an eSled this winter would be at Sunday Morning Resort in Pyhä, which has eSleds available for guests to use. It’s also near the Pyhä Tunturi ski resort that’s one of the places we’ve recommended to ski and seek out the northern lights at the same time.

Given the rapid progression of electric vehicles, there is little doubt that more electric snowmobiles will be coming soon. Some people might want the roar of an engine. But most people would rather not pollute and disturb the natural environment they’ve come to explore.

As Off the Map’s CEO Cooper says of electric snowmobiling, “It combines the benefits of other outdoor adventures, where you’re in the environment and you can enjoy the sound of silence, with the ability to travel over greater distances and the thrill of going through the wilderness.”

Or, as Karjalainen notes more succinctly, “Tourists are here for the nature.” An electric snowmobile ensures they can really experience it.


More like this: Finland’s ‘Everyman’s Rights’ offer the most open access to nature on Earth

The post Electric snowmobiles are the most peaceful way to see the northern lights appeared first on Matador Network.

Good news from 2019

There’s a lot of depressing news out there. From violence to natural disasters, the climate emergency, and politics, it often sounds like the world is constantly worse for the wear. It can be easy to forget that there is, in fact, some good news out there. That’s why The Happy Broadcast is here to remind us of all the good things that have happened this year.

According to the creators, The Happy Broadcast is “a counter hate and fear project that features positive news from around the world.”

So as we head into 2020, here are some of the positive headlines we can be proud of from 2019.

A species of humpback whales has returned from the edge of extinction

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A post shared by The Happy Broadcast (@the_happy_broadcast) on Oct 25, 2019 at 7:21am PDT

Plastic bag sales in England’s largest supermarket fell by 90 percent

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A post shared by The Happy Broadcast (@the_happy_broadcast) on Oct 23, 2019 at 6:59am PDT

Canada created a massive Arctic conservation zone

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A post shared by The Happy Broadcast (@the_happy_broadcast) on Sep 25, 2019 at 6:21am PDT

The Netherlands became the first country with zero stray dogs

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A post shared by The Happy Broadcast (@the_happy_broadcast) on Jul 31, 2019 at 6:51am PDT

A German circus replaced real animals with holograms to reduce animal cruelty

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A post shared by The Happy Broadcast (@the_happy_broadcast) on Jun 10, 2019 at 7:06am PDT

6,600 lbs of trash were collected from Mount Everest

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A post shared by The Happy Broadcast (@the_happy_broadcast) on May 29, 2019 at 7:07am PDT

The world’s largest organic rooftop farm is going to open in Paris

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A post shared by The Happy Broadcast (@the_happy_broadcast) on Aug 16, 2019 at 7:02am PDT

The world is now a greener place

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A post shared by The Happy Broadcast (@the_happy_broadcast) on Mar 1, 2019 at 7:03am PST

More like this: 7 easy things you can do to be a more sustainable traveler at hotels

The post Adorable illustrations report good news around the world from 2019 appeared first on Matador Network.

The best pre-ski exercises

Say “no” to noodle legs this ski season. The last thing you want is to hop off the ski lift and realize that you aren’t prepared to fly downhill and dodge trees, rocks, and other skiers. You’ll also, of course, want to minimize any potential for an injury. To make sure you’re ready to conquer the slopes this year, try out these nine exercises that all contribute to a major component of skiing.

1. For speed: sprints

Photo: Flamingo Images/Shutterstock

First, the nitty gritty. This might not be what you want to hear, but running will seriously improve your skiing performance. If you’ve never done sprints to prepare for ski season before, watch out, because you’ll surprise yourself this year. Sprints are a basic building block of skiing skills because they build speed, improve your anaerobic capacity, build strength and power in the legs, and increase your overall fitness level — all things that will benefit you on a ski course.

Try this sprint workout:

400-meter run
90 seconds rest
200-meter run
60 seconds rest
200-meter run
90 seconds rest
400-meter run

2. For endurance: long runs

Photo: Maridav/Shutterstock

If you plan on spending long hours skiing, you’ll need to amp up your endurance. Prepare by embarking on at least one long run each week leading up to ski season. Don’t take “long run” to mean you must run 10 miles or more; rather, interpret this as relative to your current endurance. Anything that pushes your limits can be considered a long run, even if that’s only a mile or two. Ideally, you should work up to the point at which you can run at a moderate pace for 30 minutes without stopping.

3. For power: jumping lunges

Photo: Jacob Lund/Shutterstock

This variation of the basic alternating lunge will increase your capabilities out on the slopes. They build power, for sure, but since jumping lunges are a unilateral exercise (one leg at a time), they’ll also challenge your balance and stability, both of which are essential for skiing. The plyometric aspect benefits your cardiovascular fitness, too.

Start by standing upright. Take a big step backward and lower your body until your knee touches the ground. Propel yourself out of the bottom position by jumping; quickly switch the position of your legs mid-air so you land with the opposite foot forward. Continue alternating legs for three sets of 10 to 20 reps.

4. For strength: weighted squats

Photo: Dusan Petkovic/Shutterstock

You might think that squats only work your legs, but add some weight and you’ll be surprised at how much this move taxes your core and back. Any form of weight — barbell and plates, dumbbells, kettlebells, or even a weighted vest or backpack — can prepare you for skiing season.

To perform a squat, follow these steps:

Stand with your feet about shoulder-width apart.
Hinge at your hips and bend your knees to lower yourself into the squat. Keep your knees pointed forward or out — don’t let them cave in!
Once you reach full depth, push through your heels to ascend back to the starting position.
The squat is complete when you stand up with full extension of the hips.

5. For explosiveness: jump squats

Photo: Paul Biryukov/Shutterstock

Jump squats offer the same suite of benefits that regular squats offer, but with an added bonus: extreme explosiveness. Many skiers forget that explosiveness is important to the sport of skiing, but the truth is that this key skill is what allows you to make sharp turns, propel yourself down flats, and absorb impact from landings.

To do jump squats, follow the same steps as listed above, but add one important component: As you come out of the bottom of the squat, forcefully launch yourself off the ground and point your toes, jumping as high as you can go. Do three sets of 10 to 20 reps.

6. For core strength: 360-degree plank

Photo: TORWAISTUDIO/Shutterstock

Target all of your abdominal muscles with this plank variation. To perform the 360-degree plank, you’ll start with a typical elbow plank. Time yourself for 30 seconds and then, without lowering yourself to the ground, roll onto your left elbow to complete a 30-second side plank. Then, back to the middle for 30 more seconds. Finally, roll onto your right elbow for 30 seconds. If 30 seconds isn’t enough of a challenge, try timing yourself for one minute in each position.

7. For coordination: lateral hops

Photo: LeonidKos/Shutterstock

Without coordination, you can’t do too much on the slopes. You’ll need to have a lot of body awareness and know how to control your own weight while speeding downhill. Prepare with lateral hops. Place an object, such as a sandbag or box, on the floor. Stand next to the object, but not facing the object. Jump sideways across the object to land on the other side. The goal here is to land as softly and precisely as possible. Try not to wobble, fall, or slam the ground. For an extra challenge, try hopping or landing with one foot.

8. For balance: single-leg deadlifts

Photo: Nicholas Piccillo/Shutterstock

Like coordination, balance is a key skill out on the slopes. If you can’t balance, well, you probably can’t ski very well. Improve your balance with a tried-and-true move that will also strengthen your hamstrings and glutes: the single-leg deadlift.

To do this body-stabilizing exercise, first grab a kettlebell or dumbbell. Hold the weight in one hand. Standing on one leg, hinge your hips and send them backward. With a slight bend of the knee (just enough so that your knee isn’t locked), lower your torso until the weight taps the ground (or until your hamstring reaches the end of its range of motion). Using strength from your hamstrings and glutes, pull your torso back to the upright position.

9. For your upper body: Superman-to-pushup

Photo: TORWAISTUDIO/Shutterstock

Skiing largely requires use of your lower body, yes, but don’t forget all of the work your arms do: They help push off your poles, keep you stabilized, and offer an extra element of balance. Work your chest, shoulders, triceps, biceps, and back muscles in one fluid move with the superman-to-pushup.

For this exercise, start by lying face down. Extend your arms overhead and simultaneously raise your chest and legs off the ground. Squeeze your upper back muscles, glutes, and hamstrings so that only your stomach and hips are making contact with the ground. Hold for two seconds, and then lower your extremities back to the ground. Next, bend your elbows and flex your feet so that you are in the bottom of a pushup. Perform a pushup, and then lower yourself back to the ground. This completes one rep.

Put it all together

There’s truly no “perfect” workout routine — a good one is whatever works for you — but you can put these exercises together for a weekly routine that, leading up to your first opportunity to go skiing this winter, will prepare you for whatever might come your way. Here’s how to do it:

Monday: sprint workout
Tuesday: upper-body and core circuit
Wednesday: lower-body circuit
Thursday: rest and stretch
Friday: lower-body circuit
Saturday: long run
Sunday: Rest and stretch



More like this: 9 workouts you can do on literally any vacation

The post 9 ski prep exercises you should be doing right now appeared first on Matador Network.

What and where are walking safaris

Every year, tens of thousands of visitors to Africa are jostled about in the back of a Jeep in hopes of spotting the notorious Big Five — lions, Cape buffalo, elephants, rhinos, and leopards — but many overlook the option of seeing animals on foot. Instead of going by car, many tour operators offer walking safaris, a quieter, more intimate way to experience the African wilderness.

Walking safaris are safe.

While venturing out into the bush without the protection of a vehicle may seem like unnecessary exposure to prowling predators, in reality, safaris on foot are just as safe as in a vehicle. Guides go through extensive wilderness and safety training and are armed wherever a possible threat might lurk. Incidents are few and far between, however, and when they occur, it’s often as a result of tourists’ disregard to guides’ directions.

They’re better for the animals.

Walking safaris are also a less abrasive way to view wildlife. Jeeps crowding around a pride of lions may cause stress or abnormal behavior, or protective elephants may see vehicles inching too close as a threat to their herd. On a walking safari, your guide will make sure you keep a safe and respectful distance from the animals.

A walking safari is a more immersive and rewarding experience.

Exploring the bush by foot also allows you to be an active participant instead of a passive observer. You’re at eye level with the wildlife and have a more authentic feel for life in the bush. Typically, the guide will teach tracking techniques such as identifying different types of scat or prints and give tips, such as never stay downwind of an elephant.

While game drives will give you a better chance of spotting the Big Five, walking safaris will allow you to pick up on details that you’d miss from a Jeep. Instead of going on hour-long drives, a couple of hours of hiking will slow the pace enough to learn about insects, plants, or small mammals. Getting to know the flora and fauna of the bush gives a more holistic understanding of the ecosystem and, therefore, a greater appreciation of the place you are visiting. Going by foot can also allow access to more remote areas that vehicles can’t venture into, such as the rainforests of Madagascar or the less-trodden corners of national parks.

There’s a whole suite of walking-safari options for every kind of traveler. Walking safaris can range between one- and two-hour hikes to multi-day treks, and tour operators usually offer a range of accommodation, from luxury lodges to camping under the stars. So pack your binoculars and sunscreen, and check out these seven great walking safari options for an up-close experience in the African wilderness.

1. Follow in Norman Carr’s footsteps in South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

Photo: Time + Tide Africa/Facebook

There’s no better way to do a walking safari than with the company that started it all. Norman Carr was a conservationist who pioneered the walking safari in the 1950s as an eco-friendly alternative at a time when most safaris consisted of game hunts. The multi-award winning operator Time and Tide offers an eight-night In Norman’s Footsteps safari where travelers can hike from camp to camp in Zambia’s remote South Luangwa National Park. Accommodation is a range of lodges and tented camps, and walks between camps are usually between two and five hours. Visitors can expect to see hippos and crocodiles along the Luangwa River and huge herds of elephants and buffalo. The park is also home to the largest natural population of leopards.

2. Revel in rainforests and beaches in northern Madagascar

Photo: Vladislav T. Jirousek/Shutterstock

The island of Madagascar is home to a stunning array of endemic wildlife, and its topography ranges from lush jungles to white-sand beaches. Madagascar’s rugged terrain means that the best way to spot wildlife is on foot, and hikes are an essential part of most tours. Audley Travel’s Rainforests & Beaches of Northern Madagascar tour has a varied two-week itinerary to match its diversity of ecosystems. Early in the tour you can spot chameleons on the hike to the waterfall in Amber Mountain National Park, followed by a few days in Ankarana Reserve where you can observe crowned or Sandford’s brown lemurs. Relax on the beach or go snorkeling for the final few days in Nosy Komba, a volcanic island just off the coast.

3. Search for wild chimpanzees in Tanzania

Photo: Nomad Tanzania/Facebook

Chimpanzees are the stars of the show on this week-long tour run by Nomad Tanzania. The tour begins in Katavi National Park where visitors can expect to see large herds of Cape buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, giraffes, and elephants, as well as predators such as hyenas, wild dogs, and cheetahs. Visitors have the choice of going on both walking and Jeep safaris or a combination of the two. Then a short flight takes visitors to the remote Mahale Mountains National Park, home to the largest population of chimpanzees. The lodge is situated on a sandy beach on Lake Tanganyika, and in addition to going on hikes through the forest, visitors can also go swimming or kayaking.

4. Climb Mt. Kenya and meet the Masai Mara in Kenya

Photo: Avatar_023/Shutterstock

Asilia Africa’s 10-day tour in Kenya is great for those looking for variety. Day one begins by getting kissed by a giraffe at the Giraffe Manor or meeting baby elephants at Daphne Sheldrick’s elephant orphanage. The next day you can meet chimpanzees and rhinos at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Then, there’s a three-day trek up Mt. Kenya. After the hike, the last few days are spent doing both walking safaris and game drives in the Naboisho Conservancy where you can also be acquainted with the Masai Mara people. Accommodation includes lodges and bush camps, and Asilia prides itself in empowering local communities to take part in responsible ecotourism — $5 from each night of your stay goes toward AsiliaGiving, a program that provides scholarships and professional training in economically vulnerable communities.

5. See the remaining rhinos in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi National Park, South Africa

Photo: mbrand85/Shutterstock

Hluhluwe-Imfolozi National Park is renowned for its rhino conservation and is home to the largest white rhino population in the world, as well as the Big Five. Imfolozi Wilderness Trails offers a very rustic walking safari experience, as their tours typically consist of four to five days of trekking through the park practicing leave-no-trace camping. Evenings are spent around the campfire and sleeping under the stars.

6. Explore the Okavango Delta by foot and canoe in Botswana

Photo: Ger Metselaar/Shutterstock

Walking Stick Safaris is a locally run tour operator offering a four-day introduction to the Okavango Delta, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa. Guests are boated out to the exclusive Chief’s Island in Moremi Game Reserve where days consist of bush walks and rides in mokoros, or traditional dugout canoes. Guests stay in canvas fly-camps and can expect to see the Big Five.

7. Lions and elephants in untouched Ruaha National Park, Tanzania

Photo: Kichaka Expeditions/Facebook

Visitors tend to flock to the Serengeti plains of northern Tanzania to snap photos of huge herds of wildebeest and zebras on the move for the “great migration,” leaving the remote confines of Ruaha National Park largely untouched. The park is renowned for having the largest concentration of elephants in Tanzania, as well as impressive herds of buffalo and a high density of lions. In fact, it is one of the few places in Africa where lions can be seen taking down an elephant. Kichaka Expeditions has a week-long immersion into the isolated wild where visitors can stay in tented camps and go on a variety of both walking and Jeep safaris.


More like this: 5 awesome wildlife safaris that aren’t in Africa

The post Forget the Jeep. Walking safaris are the best way to see Africa’s wilderness. appeared first on Matador Network.

Youngest world leader is 34

Finland is getting a new prime minister, and she’s about to become the world’s youngest leader. Not only that, but she will also head a coalition government of five parties, all of them led by women. Sanna Marin, 34, was nominated by her party on Sunday and will be sworn as prime minister later this week.

Finland’s government is now led by these five party leaders. #newgeneration pic.twitter.com/vis0qB9tO8

— Tuomas Niskakangas (@TNiskakangas) December 8, 2019

Finland’s previous government resigned last week after the Centre Party lost confidence in then-Prime Minister Antti Rinne’s handling of a postal strike.

“I myself have never thought about my age or gender,” said Marin, “but rather about the issues for which I took on politics and about the reasons for which we were trusted in the elections.”

For many countries, like the US, electing its first female leader would be a historic occasion. For Finland, however, this isn’t exactly news — the first Finnish female prime minister was elected in 2003 and after elections this year, women make up 47 percent of its parliament.


More like this: Helsinki is like a Wes Anderson movie come to life

The post World’s youngest prime minister will head women-led government in Finland appeared first on Matador Network.

What is Gullah-Geechee cuisine

You’ve heard of shrimp and grits. Beans and rice. Corn fritters. These dishes are inarguably tied the cultural identity of the lower Atlantic coastline, from South Carolina down to northern Florida, a region that takes particular pride in the diversity and rich, complex flavors of its cuisine. Yet these dishes are rooted in a shameful chapter of American history: the West African slave trade. The descendants of the slave trade on the southern Atlantic coast are the Gullah-Geechee, who now call South Carolina’s Lowcountry, as well as parts of Georgia and Florida, home.

While the connection to the past for these dishes has long been ignored, chef Benjamin Dennis is leading a push to finally give these overlooked culinary innovators their due.

“Charleston city would not be what it is without Gullah culture,” Dennis tells me. “Gullah-Geechee cuisine is one of the original foods of the world.”

Okra, grains, and seafood are among the key ingredients of Gullah-Geechee cuisine. They’re used in staple dishes like okra soup, which resembles a New Orleans gumbo but is made with a tomato base instead of a roux, along with lima beans, bacon, shrimp, and garlic, among other ingredients. Soup bunch — leafy greens thrown together with root vegetables and sometimes smoked fish — is another South Carolina dish original to Gullah-Geechee cuisine. Alongside rice, cooked down mustard greens, collard greens, or turnip greens appear on almost every plate.

Gullah-Geechee food has influences from Europe, Native Americans, and Africa. Okra, watermelon, and peanuts, to name a few, arrived on America’s shores in the hands of enslaved West Africans. Rice only became a successful crop in the lowlands of the South because of the wetland farming system brought to South Carolina by West African people specifically enslaved because of their knowledge and proficiency as rice farmers.

Using these foundational ingredients, West African slaves and their descendants prepared meals in colonial homes, popularizing the resulting cuisine throughout the South. Likewise, they pioneered cooking techniques seen in today’s wood smoked barbecue and hearty stews like gumbo. West African slaves introduced spices like thyme, jasmine, and sassafrass to Southern food, and incorporated shrimp and oysters, as well paprika and garlic, into everyday meals. The Native Americans already living in the area, who had cultivated their own crops for thousands of years before the arrival of the colonists, played an important role too, introducing the Gullah Geechee to squash and corn.

“The cuisines of Black communities in the South has been flattened into what is now referred to as ‘soul food,’” Heather Hodges, executive director of the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor, says via email. “Unlike ‘soul food’ which relies heavily on techniques like battering and deep frying, Gullah-Geechee traditional cooking favors preparations like perlows — one pot, communal dishes. The preparations were and still are designed to showcase the freshness, seasonality, and versatility of the seafood, vegetables, and game available along the Lower Atlantic coastline.”

Photo: Benjamin Dennis

Today, Gullah-Geechee cuisine is prepared mostly by home cooks equipped with recipes passed down through many generations, though there are some restaurants in South Carolina that pay homage to its culinary traditions, including Hannibal’s Kitchen in Charleston, Buckshots in McClellanville, and MJ’s in St. Helena Island. Still, Gullah-Geechee cuisine mostly flies under the radar. The region’s most famous dishes, like shrimp and grits, are now considered Southern specialities. While the history of these dishes has received more attention of late thanks to regional chefs and Top Chef contestant Eric Adjepong, their West African roots are largely obscured by a history that would rather ignore the legacy of slavery than honor its descendants.

“Overtime, these foundational Gullah-Geechee culinary contributions became obscured and absorbed into what was marketed as ‘Lowcountry’ or Southern foodways, eliding over the definite and discernible Gullah-Geechee roots of much of what is prepared and sold under this heading,” Hodges writes. “Chefs like [Benjamin] Dennis, Sallie-Ann Robinson and Charlotte Jenkins play an important role in helping the Gullah-Geechee people to claim attribution and acknowledgement for the ways in which they shaped and defined Lowcountry and Southern foodways.”

In recent years, however, Dennis has noticed what he calls a “renaissance” in Gullah culture — one that he is undoubtedly helping lead. Interest in Gullah-Geechee cuisine grew with the help of social media platforms like Instagram, where people with Gullah ancestry and curious American history buffs alike could post about their language and food. Dennis, who had worked mostly as a caterer and private chef around South Carolina, saw an opportunity.

Photo: Benjamin Dennis

At the urging of a friend who worked in public relations, Dennis decided to team up with the French Quarter Inn to create a so-called immersive culinary experience for guests in 2018. On each trip, Dennis takes guests on an excursion to Gullah-Geechee farms on the outskirts of Charleston, including Jules Fields Family Farm, Fresh Future Farm, and Freeman Farms. They also visit the local docks, where they meet the fishermen who hunt for shrimp and other seafood.

“Gullah-Geechee culture plays a major part in Charleston’s history, yet there aren’t many opportunities for guests to truly experience it,” says Carlo Carroccia, the French Quarter Inn’s general manager. “This partnership is a way to connect our guests to the culture and spirit of Charleston so that they can understand it, learn from it, and appreciate it.”

At each stop, the group gathers fresh ingredients, including okra, peaches, peas, and grapes. Dennis and his team prepare a meal using what they gathered later that evening during a cooking demonstration at a private home in Charleston. Any guests who want a more hands-on experience can join in the cooking process.

“It gets them outside of the tourist realm and into the realm of the locals,” Dennis says. “It’s a good way for them to see outside of the tourist books.”

Dennis also hopes that educating people, most of whom come from outside the Charleston area, about Gullah-Geechee culinary traditions helps preserve the Gullah-Geechee culture, ensuring its survival for future generations to learn about and enjoy. The Gullah Geechee are too important a part of Southern — and American — identity for their customs to be lost to time and indifference.

“We want to maintain our roots,” Dennis says. “When you lose a part of your heritage, you lose a part of you.”


More like this: Top Chef’s Eric Adjepong on the importance of recognizing West African food

The post In South Carolina, Gullah-Geechee cuisine gets its long overdue moment in the spotlight appeared first on Matador Network.

What to do if you have a UTI abroad

Ever slashed your water intake before a long bus ride or flight? Skipped a restroom because it looks like the one from Trainspotting? Worn spandex leggings for 12 hours straight? Then we need to talk.

A urinary tract infection (or UTI for short) is caused by bacteria entering the urinary tract. Women have a shorter urethra (the tube that carries pee out the body) than men, so they’re at greater risk — but that doesn’t mean that men can’t get them too. Normally a little bacteria down there isn’t a problem, but things you frequently experience while traveling — like dehydration, tight clothes, casual sex, and holding in your pee — can all increase your risk of developing an infection. Team that with a clammy climate and all of a sudden, you notice something feels a bit wrong down there. So, you think you have a UTI? Here’s what you need to do.

1. Spot the early warning signs.

The first step to fixing a UTI is spotting it quickly. An early telltale sign is a burning sensation when you pee, which is accompanied by a delightful combination of both needing to go more frequently and not much coming out when you do. This is because inflammation narrows the opening urine passes through, which restricts flow and puts pressure on the receptors that signal when you need to go.

Alongside this, you may also notice stomach pain and have pee that’s cloudy, darker than normal, or funny smelling — although this can also be a sign of dehydration, so if you’re not sure, drink a pint of water. If your pee still doesn’t look right, you probably have a UTI and you’ll need to get treatment.

2. Manage the symptoms yourself (unless you have a penis).

Most UTIs in women don’t require antibiotics and will clear up within a few days if treated properly. If you spot any of the early warning signs, make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids, which will help flush out the bacteria. Dose up on a pain reliever, but — and this is important — don’t take NSAIDs like aspirin or ibuprofen, which put additional strain on your kidneys. Pay close attention to your symptoms: If you start feeling worse or show no signs of improvement after a day or two, then get in touch with a pharmacist or doctor as soon as you can.

If you have a penis, then UTIs are a little more complicated and you’ll need to skip this stage and go straight to a doctor or pharmacist. And remember that any one of the symptoms — abdominal pain, for example — can be caused by an array of other serious and not-so-serious issues, including food poisoning, trapped wind, gallstones, and appendicitis. If in doubt, see a professional.

4. Ignore natural remedies…except one.

Cranberry juice is the old favorite for clearing UTIs, but there’s little evidence to support the claim. It’s also high in sugar, so chugging gallons of it isn’t only inefficient — it’s bad for you. Others swear by a probiotic called lactobacillus (Yakult being the most well-known brand name in the US) but again, this isn’t scientifically proven. Research suggests only one natural remedy could help fight the problem: a supplement called D-mannose. However, it’s only effective for women, contains a lot of sugar, and can’t be taken if you’re pregnant. If you have some on you (or you’re near a health food shop), try taking this to help your body fight the infection but keep a close eye on your symptoms. If you start feeling worse or show no signs of improvement, you’ll need to move onto the harder stuff.

5. Visit a pharmacy.

If you’re certain you have an early-stage UTI, then head to a pharmacy. These are common in towns and cities around the world and most stay open well into the evening. If you can find a pharmacist who speaks your language, then tell them your symptoms and they should prescribe you some antibiotics or lead you to a doctor. If you think there might be a communication barrier, type your symptoms into Google Translate, then take a screenshot and show it to them. You can also ask for medication yourself — although it’s better to see a doctor. Amoxicillin is the most widely available and commonly used, but if you have a penicillin allergy, you may need to ask for an alternative.

If you’re not certain it’s a UTI, you don’t think the pharmacist understands, or you’ve developed new symptoms, find a clinic or hospital. Remember, it’s better to err on the side of caution abroad. You might have a blockage like a kidney stone, an enlarged prostate, prostatitis (in men), or need to be treated in a hospital with strong antibiotics you get through an IV. While normally harmless, a UTI can become a serious kidney or blood infection if left untreated, so if your symptoms don’t go away or get worse after a few days, then you’ll need to speak to a doctor.

6. Don’t ignore these later-stage UTI symptoms.

If you develop chills and a fever, the infection has moved from your bladder up into your kidneys. This is what’s known as an upper urinary tract infection. The symptoms are the same, whatever your gender. In addition to feeling generally tired and unwell, you may experience blood in your pee, nausea, vomiting, and pain in your lower back and sides, which starts as a dull ache, then develops into a more severe gnawing sensation.

If this sounds like you, then don’t panic — you’re not about to kick the bucket, but you do need antibiotics as soon as possible before it develops into urosepsis which can be life-threatening. Immediately make your way to a doctor or hospital within the next four hours and continue to drink plenty of fluids. If you start to experience extreme fatigue, confusion, a swollen stomach, a rapid heart rate, and/or difficulty breathing, then it’s a medical emergency and you’ll need to visit the hospital immediately.

7. Visit a clinic or hospital.

Some countries have free international travel clinics — just type “free clinic” plus your location into a search engine and if any are available, it should show in your results. You can also get in touch with the nearest embassy or consulate in your destination, which will be able to give you some healthcare recommendations. In addition to this, you’ll need to check the list of providers in your destination that are covered by your insurance via the company’s app or customer service line.

Once you’ve found a doctor or hospital, you’ll have a urine sample taken then be prescribed antibiotics or hooked up to an IV. Remember to mention if you have any allergies, and follow the staff’s advice and finish the course of medication — even if you feel better. If, in the unlikely event you still feel bad after finishing all your meds, head back for round two or some new treatment. So, if possible, stay put until you’re in the all-clear.

8. Reduce your risk.

While you can’t always stop yourself from developing a UTI, there are things you can do to lower your chances — and one of the easiest and most important things to do is stay hydrated. While being dehydrated isn’t a cause in itself, it does mean you’re not flushing out your system as much as you should be, which means bacteria can build up and cause an infection. As well as drinking plenty of liquids, you should also pee regularly to keep your system clean and clear bacteria away.

If you’re traveling on a night bus or in a situation where you know your access to toilets will be limited, make sure you use every stop as an opportunity to go to the bathroom. If possible, talk to the driver to find out when and where you’ll be stopping so you can drink water throughout the journey without worrying about when you’ll get a comfort break. In addition to staying hydrated, swap out baths for showers, avoid using heavily perfumed cleansers, and stay clear of tight leggings and pants that could trap bacteria — especially if you’re hiking or working out.

9. Understand the relationship between UTIs and sex.

UTIs are rarely contagious, so if you have one, don’t worry about passing it on to someone else. The reason they’re associated with sex — especially an encounter with a new person — is because as humans, we host all kinds of bacteria, and when we get close to each other, we pass it on. Most of the time it’s harmless, but if our immune system is low due to fatigue, illness, or stress, we leave ourselves more vulnerable to infections — UTIs being just one. It’s unlikely for a man to catch a UTI from a woman, but females sometimes catch them from men because the infection is typically from bacteria already present in the man’s urinary tract. Men having unprotected anal sex are at an increased risk, however. Whatever your gender, pee straight after sex to flush away any germs that may have gathered around there, and avoid using diaphragms and spermicide. Neither of these prevents STDs anyway, so if you’re with a new partner, always choose a condom as a minimum.

10. Take extra care if you’re a woman or transgender.

If you have a vagina, then there are extra steps you can take to lower your chances of catching a UTI. When you go to the bathroom, always wipe from front to back. You should also wear loose, breathable cotton underwear, especially when you know you’re going to spend a long time sitting down or you won’t get to change as often as you’d like — which may be the case if you’re on a night bus, long train ride, or trek. Change as often as possible (at least once a day) and don’t wear panties to bed, especially in hot climates. Pregnancy and menopause can also cause UTIs due to hormonal changes, so if you fall into either of these two categories, take extra care and pay attention to your body. If you don’t feel like yourself, talk to a professional who can help you treat the infection so you can get back to normal.

While you won’t need to get undressed, your treatment will depend on your anatomy — so you’ll need to be open with your doctor. If you’re transgender and you’re in a place that doesn’t have a great LGBTQ rights record, you can check local rights and legislation on Equaldex so you have a better idea of what to expect before you visit a clinic or hospital. Gynopedia is another great resource full of sexual health information, including where to find trans-friendly doctors in your region.

11. Plan ahead (for next time).

Getting sick or injured is difficult at the best of times, but it’s extra stressful when it happens in an unfamiliar country. Before you head off on any trip, remember these three things: book travel insurance, pack medication, and find out about the healthcare situation in your destination country. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is a good resource with information on things like traveling with prescription medication and how to get healthcare abroad. If you’re worried about UTIs or you get them regularly, speak to your doctor before you go. They’ll be able to give you a stash of antibiotics for you to take away and offer tips on how to stay healthy while you’re traveling.


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The post So you have a UTI abroad. Here’s what to do. appeared first on Matador Network.

Why you should visit Italy in winter

Winter is an ideal time to visit Italy and some of its most popular cities. Cities to the north fill with Christmas markets to rival Germany’s while those of the south indulge in unique festive traditions. Parades, lighting displays, and atmospheric streets keep visitors outside while the dearth of tourists in museums and indulgent winter food options tempt visitors indoors. Here are seven of the best cities to visit in Italy during winter.

1. Bolzano

Photo: Bolzano Bozen

A visit to the alpine city of Bolzano during winter feels like walking into a Christmas card. Decorated, pastel-colored houses line narrow streets with a backdrop of snowy mountains. Bolzano’s Christmas markets, which have now been running for 29 years, are some of the best loved in Italy. Wooden huts with red-and-white-striped awnings sell strictly artisan, locally produced goods, from wooden decorations to traditional confectionery. As you browse, you can sip mulled wine and snack on strudel. And a winter’s evening visit is not complete without viewing the city from a horse-drawn carriage. For the young at heart, there is a merry-go-round and a miniature train, which completes a Christmas scene of olden times.

2. Naples

Photo: DinoPh/Shutterstock

This southern Italian metropolis partakes in a particular Christmas tradition that makes it an essential winter destination. The festive period in Naples sees thousands of elaborate model nativity scenes set up in churches, shop windows, and restaurants. Called presepi, these miniature stage sets are constructed from handmade scenery and model figures, which are traditionally produced in workshops along the narrow street of Via San Gregorio Armeno. Classically, the elaborate displays include little scenes of everyday life, such as a baker making bread or a woman cleaning her house. Besides fundamental religious figures, shepherds, and animals, the nativity scenes often see a more prosaic intruder, including figurines of Leonardo DiCaprio or the fashion duo Dolce and Gabbana. Sparkling with lights, these presepi transform the city in winter. Visitors can learn more about this tradition in the Museum of the Presepe.

3. Turin

Photo: Kiev.Victor/Shutterstock

As well as being a gateway to ski resorts in the Alps, this city in northwest Italy is a winter destination in itself. During the festive season, the annual Luci d’Artista illuminate the city with creative lighting displays that are far from the tacky Christmas lights that garishly adorn many cities. Turin has some of the most prestigious museums in Italy, including the Egyptian Museum, second in the world only to that of Cairo and the National Museum of Cinema in the iconic Mole Antonelliana building. The Il Lingotto area, once home to the factory for FIAT automobiles, has been transformed into a modernist masterpiece by Renzo Piano housing the Museo Nazionale dell’Automobile and the original Eataly food emporium. In the center, Turin’s historic bars tempt visitors inside with their traditional Piemontese drink bicerin, a decadent combination of hot chocolate, coffee, and cream. Try it at the aptly named Caffè al Bicerin.

4. Rome

Photo: Bucchi Francesco/Shutterstock

As the center of the Catholic faith, Rome is a particularly fitting place to spend the winter festivities if you want to avoid an over-commercialized yuletide. The square in front of St. Peter’s Church hosts a spectacular nativity scene and a giant Christmas tree while there is also an exhibition of 100 presepi in Vaticano. Churches throughout Rome put on free concerts, with organ music and choral pieces. If your visit continues into January, Rome also celebrates Epiphany, a public holiday across Italy on January 6, with their Viva la Befana parade. This sees costumed religious and folklore figures, including the gift-giving witch la Befana, moving through the city towards St Peter’s. Rome is also particularly serene over the winter period as there is a lull in tourist numbers, meaning you can visit iconic sights such as the Colosseum or Sistine Chapel with a little less elbow shoving.

5. Ferrara

Photo: stefano cellai/Shutterstock

This city in the region of Emilia Romagna is subjected to thick fog during the winter months, which can be very romantic — well, at least for a few days. Through the misty medieval streets, warm yellow lights flicker hazily from cozy bars and restaurants, such as wooden beamed Ai Brindisi, which claims to be the oldest osteria (inn) in the world. Culture is also in good supply, with the spikey Palazzo dei Diamanti art gallery holding frequent exhibitions and the Cathedral Museum with art by renowned 14th century Ferrara artist Cosmè Tura. Ferrara was also once at the heart of the domain of the powerful Este family, and their moated and embattled castle rises up out of the fog in the center of the city. In the square beside the cathedral, there are frequent markets of artisan products and local foods, particularly over the festive period.

6. Verona

Photo: Kiev.Victor/Shutterstock

As the home of Romeo and Juliet, Verona is known as the city of romance. During the winter the festive lights and decorations add yet more poetry to its attractions. Visitors can see Juliet’s balcony in an enclosed courtyard, as well as making a pilgrimage to Juliet’s tomb in the monastery of San Francesco al Corso. Here you can find a museum of mural paintings or frescoes, and in one of the decorated rooms of the monastery, civil unions are conducted for both Italians and foreigners, which could make for a memorable marriage ceremony. In addition, Verona’s Christmas markets are particularly popular, with stallholders coming from Nuremberg, and the city gate and the main streets are adorned with lights.

7. Florence

Photo: Mau47/Shutterstock

There’s nothing enjoyable about being hit with a selfie stick, so avoid Florence and its crowds in the summer and head to the city in the depths of winter. You’ll have some breathing space in the magnificent Uffizi art gallery, where you can get up close to paintings by Botticelli and Raphael. Wandering around the city feels particularly special at this time of year, with Christmas markets in front of the luminous white church of Santa Croce and a life-size nativity scene beside the famous Duomo. Chilly hands can be warmed with a visit to Vestri, a chocolate shop whose owners also have a cocoa plantation in the Dominican Republic. Their winter specialty is a scoop of ice cream drowned in a cup of steaming hot chocolate.


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How to plan a van road trip

You don’t have to quit your job or sell all your worldly possessions to experience the #vanlife. Heck, you don’t even have to buy or refurbish a van yourself. You can actually rent the #vanlife, which for the purpose of avoiding cultural appropriation we’ll call “taking a van-cation.” But know, dear reader — this type of travel doesn’t follow the same rules as just any vacation. More than a mere road trip and different from camping or even car camping, a van-cation is about embracing the unbridled freedom that comes with navigating your four-wheeled hotel room. Yes, it’s a cozy place to sleep, but it’s also a portal to stunning scenery, endless adventure and a clearer headspace. So, basically, therapy on wheels. Here’s how to get there.

1. Don’t look at all those #vanlifers on Instagram.

Photo: Abigail Marie/Shutterstock

You know the ones we’re talking about. She’s in a bikini doing sun salutations on the roof of a retro VW; he’s shirtless playing a guitar. Or perhaps you just see tanned legs sticking out the van’s back door, which opens onto a mouthwatering mountain vista. Okay, you can peak on Insta, but for location inspiration only, not couple comparison. Those photos are staged and sometimes sponsored, but those destinations are real — the soaring canyons, deserted stretches of beach, revelatory red rocks, sparkling night skies — and all begging to be visited. Rule number one to the ultimate van-cation is to close Instagram.

2. Get to know your van and choose your adventure.

Photo: reisegraf.ch/Shutterstock

You scoped out your van online and found “the one.” Maybe it’s a wood-paneled palace tricked out with a cushy bed, solar panels, onboard sink and shower, and all the cookware you could need (like Boho Camper Vans out of Phoenix). Or maybe it’s a vintage VW camper bus in ocean blue outfitted with a sink, propane stove, and USB hookups for cruising the California coast in retro style (like Vintage Surfari Wagons out of Costa Mesa). Whichever you choose, be sure to get the full 411 when you pick it up, like where the water pump switch is, how the Coleman stove works, where the kitchen gear is stashed, and how to fill the water tank. Yes, it’s tempting just to hop in and drive off with “Life is a Highway” blasting out the windows, but a few minutes’ tutorial could avoid future frustration, particularly when you need toilet paper, like, now.

Good news: Deciding where to go will be the toughest part of your whole trip. Bad news: The options are seemingly endless. Are the Joshua Trees calling your name? Or the sandstone buttes of Monument Valley? Or maybe it’s the rust-colored rocks of Sedona? Or the waterfalls of Yellowstone? Narrow it down by picking a national park you’ve always wanted to visit or a mountain you’ve always wanted to climb, maybe a stream you’ve always wanted to fish. In short, you want a remote picturesque playground not too far off the beaten paths. These are vans, not 4x4s, after all. And you want your trip to be about more than driving and sleeping, so it’s best to have a specific goal in mind and use the van to help you reach and accomplish it.

3. Park (and pack) smart.

Photo: arboursabroad/Shutterstock

Yes, #homeiswhereyouparkit, but where should you park it? With apps like Recreation.gov or Hipcamp, you can always book a legit campsite or get off the grid with a dispersed campsite. These no-reservation-required spots usually come without toilets and garbage bins, but they’re free from crowds and free of charge. Dispersed campsites are fair game in national forests unless noted otherwise, and public lands, such as those operated by the Bureau of Land Management. Just be sure to practice “leave no trace” principles.

You’re probably wondering what to pack. Essentials like sunscreen, insect repellent, matches or lighter, first-aid kit, and biodegradable soap are no-brainers. A stainless steel water bottle and thermos will also come in handy — ditto for a Dutch oven or cast-iron frying pan for cooking over fire. Stuff your duffle with extra layers and warm socks, clothes, and shoes to match your activities and terrain. You’ll also want a backpack for hikes, a headlamp or solar lantern for dark nights, and don’t forget drinking water, at least one gallon per person per day.

4. But don’t deny yourself (or settle for subpar coffee).

Photo: JGA/Shutterstock

Granted, a van-cation is a more back-to-nature, back-to-basics trip than, say, an all-inclusive trip to Cabo, but getting remote doesn’t have to mean roughing it. In other words, just because you bring along your iPad doesn’t mean you won’t reach spiritual enlightenment. Same goes for bringing along your favorite memory foam pillow or fancy travel-sized toiletries or a warm wool blanket. The same rule applies to food because saving you from eating all your meals in restaurants is part of how the van earns its keep. Stock your cooler with the essentials — salt, pepper, cooking oil — but there’s no shame in bringing Champagne or portable coffee pour-overs or Ghirardelli chocolates for s’mores. Simple splurges are made all the sweeter when they have less to compete with.

5. Make outdoor dining an event.

Photo: GROGL/Shutterstock

You don’t want to get to your remote van-cation oasis and say, “So, what’s for dinner?” Draft a list of meals in advance and get the ingredients you need to make them happen. Bacon and eggs, French toast, and instant oatmeal with berries all cook up fast for the AM. For lunch, think grab-and-go since you’ll probably be on the move: PB&J, apples and nut butter squeeze packs, trail mix, and bananas. Dinner is the main, and sometimes only, evening event, so make it a feast. Grill up seasoned veggies and steaks (pack meat frozen in the cooler for staying power), bring along aluminum foil for salmon and asparagus, and go gourmet grilled cheese by tucking in tomatoes and avocado between sliced sourdough and Monterey Jack. Of course, there’s always the classic campfire chili and cornbread. Stuff like this is easy to cook — and clean up after — in a tight kitchen setup.

Having the food plan in hand and the ingredients within reach means you can really enjoy dinner. Granted, you’ll be lingering over a campfire, which isn’t quite the same as lingering over a five-course restaurant meal, but van-cation food can feel just as elevated. For starters, rental vans often come with a food prep area — including a 48-inch pull-out bamboo countertop, in Boho’s case — plus a propane stove, pots, pans, and utensils, so you’re set up. Make sure to relish in the making and eating. That means slow cooking over an open flame or stovetop and breathing in the smell of food as it mingles with the surrounding scents. It also means savoring the view from your outdoor kitchen, which isn’t too tough, especially when it’s the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.

6. Bring alternate (and alternative) maps.

Photo: Jack Frog/Shutterstock

There’s nothing like an outward journey such as a van-cation to trigger an inward journey, and maps can help guide the path. Yes, that means actual paper maps, like road and trail maps for when GPS fails and you’re out of cell service. But there are other navigation tools, like tarot decks and animal spirit cards, which pack fun and a sense of inner exploration.

“Be in the moment” is a dictate easier said than done in real life, but on a van-cation, it’s par for the course. Chalk it up to more time in nature, spent sipping stovetop coffee at sunrise or hot chocolate at sunset, or being with the ones you love. Of course, escaping the monotony of routine and the confines of your comfort zone also brings on the mindfulness. You’ll know you’ve achieved it when you feel fully alive doing absolutely nothing. Funny how a new perspective really does give you a new perspective.

Last but not least, wear a cool hat. It should go without saying, but just in case. You never know when the selfie temptation might overcome you.


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The post 6 genius tips for the ultimate van-cation appeared first on Matador Network.

North Korea opens ski resort

North Korea probably isn’t number one on your winter ski-trip list — mainly because going there is near impossible for Americans — but that doesn’t mean that the reclusive Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is totally opposed to tourism. It’s quite the opposite, in fact. Kim Jong Un inaugurated a new mountain spa and ski resort on December 7 in an attempt to revitalize the country’s struggling economy.

Kim officially cut the ribbon during the ceremonial opening of the Yangdok Hot Spring Cultural Recreation Center, which includes hotels, hot spring spas, ski slopes, and a horse-riding park. Pomp and circumstance are commonplace at North Korean public events, and the opening of this resort was no exception. Thousands of soldiers were present, along with civilians waving the nation’s flag.

According to Pyongyang’s official Korean Central News Agency, the country’s leader “hardly repressed his happiness, saying that it has become possible to provide people with new culture, and one more plan of the Party to make our people enjoy high civilization under socialism as early as possible has come true.”

Although the UN imposed heavy sanctions on North Korea over its nuclear and missiles program, tourism is excluded from those sanctions, making it a significant way of recouping financial losses. North Korea is also dipping its toes into the waters of medical tourism and will soon supposedly offer medical services to foreign visitors (mostly from China), treatments such as cataract surgery, dental implants, and therapy for tumors.


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The post In a tourism push, North Korea opens mountain spa and ski resort appeared first on Matador Network.