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History of US Halloween parades

Poke around the right parts of the internet for a few minutes and it’s easy to find what is supposedly the first city in the United States to hold a Halloween parade: Anoka, Minnesota, the self-proclaimed “Halloween Capital of the World.” Dig a little deeper, though, and the story turns out to be more complicated.

First, you need to know the official story as told by Anoka Halloween, Inc., the non-profit organization that promotes Anoka’s history and organizes the annual festival. According to legend, the town’s parade dates back to 1920.

“Anoka, Minnesota is believed to be the first city in the United States to put on a Halloween celebration to divert its youngsters from Halloween pranks,” the history page reads. “When Anokans awoke to find their cows roaming Main Street, windows soaped and outhouses tipped over, they decided something had to be done.”

The people of the town organized a costume parade and block party, so the story goes. A man named George Green came up with the idea along with city leaders like the Anoka Commercial Club and the Anoka Kiwanis Club.

The parade was a success, with bands, clubs, and city groups taking part. There was popcorn, candy, and peanuts. At the end, a sanctioned bonfire raged at Bridge Square. “Celebrations have been held every year since 1920 with the exception of 1942 and 1943 when the festivities were canceled because of World War II,” the Anoka Halloween page states.

A 12-year-old boy named Harold Blair is responsible for launching Anoka’s campaign to be recognized as the “Halloween Capital of the World” by the rest of the country, when he wore a sweater with the title sewn onto it during a trip to Washington DC in 1937. A modern Minnesota congressman, Bill Luther, helped make the title official. In 2002, Luther asked Congress to reaffirm the proclamation that Anoka is the “Halloween Capital of the World,” according to congressional records of the House of Representatives.

“Anoka is thought to be the first to put on a citywide celebration and parade to provide families with alternative activities and fun on Halloween,” Luther told other members of the House. He briefly mentioned the above history before stating, “Due to the celebration’s size and community significance, Anoka first proclaimed itself the ‘Halloween Capital of the World’ in 1937.”

However, history, as it often does, gets in the way.

“Many older celebrations were before Minnesota became a state (1858) or the city of Anoka existed (1878),” Gary Munkholm of Anoka’s Halloween, Inc. wrote in an email. “We are probably the largest and longest celebration presently and that’s the Halloween capital designation.”

Halloween in early America

Photo: Bianca Muller/Shutterstock

The first Halloween customs, as the Anoka history correctly notes, were all trick and no treat. Early newspaper reports linked Halloween traditions in the US to Scotland and most often referenced Robert Burns poem “Halloween”. A newspaper report from 1823 explains that Americans know little about Halloween other than the name and that “the peasantry in the north of Scotland” viewed the date as a night for witches and fairies. In 1850, the New York Daily Tribune called Halloween an “anniversary which is now almost entirely disregarded in these parts.” It was, after the hijinks on April Fool’s Day, “our nearest approach to the saturnalia of the Carnival.”

The Staunton Spectator in Staunton, Virginia, put it in slightly starker terms in 1852. It describes “a multitude of wild mischievous games, which were tolerated at no other season.” Pranks included breaking into gardens and stealing cabbage, an early form of ding-dong-ditch that involved knocking rather than ringing, and even violently harassing women. It was, as the paper put it, a day “in which men are set free from the laws they are just learning to respect; partly, it would seem, as a reward for the deference which they have paid them, partly to serve them as a kind of breathing spaces in which to recover from the unwonted fatigue of being obedient.”

Reports of boys (or “Young America,” as they were often called) causing mayhem and destroying property persist through the mid-1800s. The public accepted their behavior using questionable logic. As a writer for The Alleghanian put it in 1859, “Still, as boys are boys, and as Halloween cometh but once a year, we should be content that it is no worse.”

By the 1860s, mentions of Halloween in newspaper records increased exponentially. Then, in 1894, comes the first mention of a Halloween parade in the papers collected by the Library of Congress.

The true first Halloween celebrations in the United States

Photo: a katz/Shutterstock

Despite Anoka’s own collected and oft-repeated history, as well as the declaration on the floor of the House of Representatives, it was not the first city to throw a Halloween celebration.

In 1894, The Scranton Tribune of Scranton, Pennsylvania, notes, “The Chester Hallowe’en parade will have 5,000 men and boys in line.” Chester only had around 20,000 people in 1890, meaning about a fourth of the city’s population participated in this early Halloween celebration.

In 1895, Topeka, Kansas, had a Halloween Parade sponsored by the bicycle group T.A.A.W. It featured a costume contest for “the most grotesque appearance,” a parade, activities for children, and more. The managers were reportedly “anxious to have lady riders join the procession.” There are even references to a past parade complete with a “crowd of ruffians” who threw things at paraders. Though, it should be noted, ruffians “sprinkled tacks in the path of the bicycle parade,” so it didn’t all go off without a hitch.

Perhaps the city with the strongest claim to the first Halloween parades (at least according to historical newspaper records) is Anderson, Indiana. An 1895 story in the Indianapolis Journal covered “the annual parade of masked persons who celebrate ‘All Hallowe’en.’” It describes several thousand people in costume, 19 private parties, and six dances.

“There is perhaps no other city in the country that celebrates the day as does Anderson,” the report states. “The spirit of the festivities is always taken in good part, and all vie with each other in wearing grotesque uniforms.” It also later notes, “The strangers in the city were surprised at the parade, and watched the festivities with much surprise.”

Who cares?

Photo: Debra Anderson/Shutterstock

There isn’t a single mention of Anoka’s Halloween celebration in the newspaper records retained by the Library of Congress. There’s also no mention of the “Halloween Capital of the World.” Yet Anoka is frequently written about in major publications as the first to hold a Halloween celebration, and it holds the prominent Congress-approved brand name of “Halloween Capital of the World” — a title the city and its volunteer Anoka Halloween committee are more than happy to capitalize on.

According to the latest public IRS filings by the Anoka Halloween, Inc., the non-profit made $87,241 in total revenue in 2017. It also, notably, claimed $92,534 in expenses, $62,005 of which went to “program services” and $16,725 of which went to scholarships and awards. The event is a draw for the town of around 17,000 people, regardless of whether its claim as the first in the US is technically true.

“Yes, we have heard of Halloween celebrations that predated Anoka Halloween,” Josh Jost, a member of Anoka’s 100th Anniversary Committee, writes over email. “However, it is believed that Anoka is the oldest continuous celebration that was created specifically to avert youth pranks.” He also adds, “Our designation as the Halloween Capital of the World is backed by Congressional Declaration.”

Anoka might not be the home of Sleepy Hollow, but the town’s widely accepted legacy is impressive. Impressive enough, perhaps, for Anderson, Indiana, to take a look at challenging the title.


More like this: 7 fascinating Halloween traditions around the world

The post The self-proclaimed ‘Halloween Capital of the World’ didn’t actually host the first Halloween parade appeared first on Matador Network.

Best day hikes in Boulder, Colorado

The idyllic town of Boulder, Colorado, is a haven for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. Perfectly positioned at the edge of the Rocky Mountains, it’s home to spectacular natural scenery and miles upon miles of hiking trails to help you explore it. Here are four of the best day hikes to tackle during your time here, all within easy reach of the central Pearl Street Mall.

1. Mount Sanitas

Photo: Steve Boice/Shutterstock

This popular peak on the edge of town is a great place to begin your Boulder hiking adventure. It’s easily accessible, and the trails are well-signposted, well-maintained, and dog-friendly. Mount Sanitas offers a roughly three-mile loop up to the 6,863-foot summit and back, with stunning views out over Boulder to the east and the snow-capped peaks of the Rockies to the west. The route has an elevation gain of around 1,300 feet, so expect to put in some effort!

To begin with, head north up the wide, gravel-covered Sanitas Valley Trail. This gentle, one-mile section is the perfect warm-up, especially if you’re not used to living at altitude. At the end of this path, turn left onto the 0.7-mile East Ridge Trail. This is where it gets interesting. The route becomes much steeper and rockier, and you’ll be doing a bit of scrambling on your way up. It’s nothing too technical, but do watch your footing — especially if climbing in cold weather, as it can get icy. Once you reach the summit you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views both east and west.

For the descent, follow the Mount Sanitas trail to the south, which will bring you back to the trailhead in a mile and a half. The red earth path is steep and rocky (although not as much as the East Ridge Trail) and sparsely lined with pine trees. Near the end you’ll also pass some designated bouldering areas popular with local climbers. Be on the lookout for wildlife, too, as bears and mountain lions are occasionally seen in the area.

Getting there: Several trailheads access Mount Sanitas, but the most convenient one for this hike is on Sunshine Canyon Drive, about a 20-minute walk from the Pearl Street Mall.

2. Royal Arch

Photo: Steve Boice/Shutterstock

To the south of Boulder is a vast, breathtakingly beautiful area known as Chautauqua Park. It’s home to a large network of hiking trails that meander across grassy meadows, through towering pine forests, and up into the rugged mountains. One of the most interesting of these routes is the Royal Arch Trail.

Equal parts challenging and rewarding, this out-and-back trek takes you to a natural archway of sandstone that appears dramatically from between the trees and other rock formations. Once you pass through it, you’re treated to sweeping views of southeast Boulder.

But first you have to get there. This trail is not for the faint-hearted; it’s very steep in places, with loose stones underfoot and some technical spots where you’ll need to use your hands to climb up or down the rocks. The surrounding forest provides shelter though, and you can make use of plenty of rest spots along the route.

Around halfway up you’ll reach the false summit of Sentinel’s Pass. From here, you’ll climb down again before a final steep push up to the arch itself. Dogs are welcome on the trail, but it’s advisable to keep them on a leash, particularly when you reach the arch — because there’s a steep drop just the other side of it.

The total route length varies between 3.2 and 3.9 miles, depending on which access trails you take through Chautauqua, with around 1,500 feet of elevation gain. It’s a popular hike, so go on a weekday if possible to avoid the crowds. And keep an eye out for the adorable chipmunks scampering around the archway.

Getting there: Chautauqua Park is about a 30-minute walk from the Pearl Street Mall. Limited parking is available.

3. Flagstaff Mountain

Photo: AlexBuess/Shutterstock

Standing proudly on the outskirts of town at 7,283 feet, Flagstaff is the fourth highest mountain in Boulder. It’s possible to hike directly from the town to the peak, which is a roughly 5.5-mile route there and back with around 1,500 feet of elevation gain. If that sounds a bit too strenuous, you can drive (or take an Uber/Lyft) part or even all of the way to the top and just enjoy strolling along the easier trails around the summit.

Assuming you want to hike the whole thing, you’ll first head up Viewpoint Trail to Panorama Point. As the name suggests, this route gives you great views out over Boulder right from the start, thanks to the rolling grassland and low density of trees. From here keep heading uphill on Panorama Trail and then Flagstaff Trail. You’ll cross the road that leads up the mountain numerous times, so be watchful of traffic as you go.

The higher you climb, the more forested the route becomes. The path isn’t technical, although it is steep in places. A couple of other paths branch off from the main one, but ignore them and stick with Flagstaff Trail. When you reach the summit you’ll find a wide area with plenty of picnic benches, which makes a perfect lunch spot.

Those who drive up or are looking to extend their hike can explore other paths that snake around the summit area. The Range View Trail has fantastic views of the Rockies, while the Sensory and Ute trails offer gentle forest walks suitable for all abilities. Dogs are welcome on all of Flagstaff’s routes, with the exception of the Boy Scout trail.

Getting there: The trailhead for this hike can be accessed via Arapahoe Avenue, which is about a 20-minute walk from the Pearl Street Mall.

4. The Flatirons

Photo: Nelson Sirlin/Shutterstock

No trip to Boulder would be complete without hiking the town’s iconic Flatirons. These striking shards of slanted rock have become the ubiquitous symbol of Boulder, gracing everything from clothing to business logos, and Chautauqua Park is the gateway to exploring them.

Begin by heading through the network of paths in the meadow and up into the forest, where you’ll find the start of the out-and-back 1st/2nd Flatiron Trail. It’s another popular route, both with hikers and climbers, so weekdays are the best time to tackle it. In total, the hike is about 2.5 miles with 1,400 foot of elevation gain, so you’ll be getting a good workout. Canine friends are welcome but should be kept on a leash.

The path takes you through groves of pine trees and across sloping masses of bulky rock fragments. The trail is well maintained, but do take care as there are plenty of loose rocks to navigate. As you ascend, you’ll get within touching distance of the characteristic striated sandstone of the first and second Flatirons. You can even climb them if you have the equipment.

As you cross the second Flatiron, keep an eye out for the impressive sight of the third Flatiron further along, jutting majestically up into the sky. The trail then continues through a series of switchbacks up to a flat area behind the top of the first Flatiron. Here you’ll find plenty of large boulders and shelves in the rock where you can have lunch. The view extends west as far as the eye can see, over the distant peaks of Colorado’s epic Rocky Mountains.

Getting there: Chautauqua Park is about a half-hour walk from the Pearl Street Mall. Limited parking is available.


More like this: The ultimate guide to Denver, Colorado

The post The four most exhilarating day hikes in Boulder, Colorado appeared first on Matador Network.

Death rituals around the world

Death is one of the common denominators of the human race, but the ways that we respond to it are vastly different.

Four thousand years ago, the early Dilmun civilization buried their dead in thousands of low, cylindrical towers, the remnants of which can still be seen dotting the landscape of Bahrain to this day. The Mayans would bury the deceased with corn in their mouths to feed their souls during their journey to the afterlife. And the Chachapoya people of modern-day Peru placed corpses in a purunmachu — a sarcophagus made from clay — which was then balanced on the ledge of a high cliff face, standing sentinel over their ancestral lands.

We don’t have to turn to the history books to uncover unbelievably diverse examples of burial practices. Many have endured for centuries and are still common today; others are relatively new traditions, shaped by environmental challenges. Here are nine of the most fascinating and intriguing ways cultures around the world handle death.

1. Tibetan sky burials

Photo: Dustin Kerschtien/Shutterstock

The ancient practice of Tibetan sky burials sees the corpse of a deceased placed atop a high peak, to be eaten by vultures and other birds of prey. It might sound macabre to foreign ears, but it’s both sustainable and serves a symbolic purpose, representing the impermanence of life for followers of the Buddhist faith. The corpse is no more than a discarded shell; the soul has already moved on toward reincarnation. Interestingly, it’s considered a good sign if the entire body is consumed, as Tibetan custom holds that even vultures — unfussy as they are — wouldn’t eat the body of a person who committed evil deeds.

2. Iran’s Towers of Silence

Photo: eFesenko/Shutterstock

The concept of sky burials isn’t unique to Tibetan Buddhists. It’s also a key Zoroastrian tradition, in which followers lay out the dead on top of a purpose-built “Tower of Silence,” also known as a dakhma. In Zoroastrian belief, death is considered evil, and polluting the pure earth with decaying matter is seen as sacrilegious. Instead, bodies are exposed to the elements and left to be eaten by scavenger birds. Zoroastrianism was born in ancient Iran around 3,500 years ago, and Towers of Silence can still be seen dotting the country’s landscape — particularly in the area surrounding the historic city of Yazd. The use of these towers for funerary purposes was outlawed in Iran in the 1970s, although it continues to this day — albeit in ever-decreasing numbers — in the Indian city of Mumbai, another hub of Zoroastrianism.

3. Cremation on the pyres of Varanasi

Photo: Salvacampillo/Shutterstock

Perched on the banks of the Ganges River in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, Varanasi draws visitors — both pilgrims and tourists — from around the world. Varanasi’s main attraction is the funerary ghats of Manikarnika and Harishchandra. These sprawling riverside cremation grounds are big business for Varanasi, as Hindus believe that those cremated in the holy city will be freed from the cycle of life, death, and reincarnation. In fact, demand is so high that Varanasi is the only city in India in which the funeral pyres burn 24 hours a day, seven days a week. On average, nearly 200 bodies are burned every day within the city. Before being taken to the pyres, bodies are swathed in colorful cloths and carried down to the Ganges on a bamboo stretcher by male family members to be briefly immersed in the river’s waters. After being left to dry on the steps of the ghat, the corpse is taken to a burning pit and covered with mango wood or sandalwood by the family. Joss sticks, incense, and sandalwood powder are used to mask the pungent smell of burning hair and flesh. Finally, the ashes, and any other remains that didn’t crumble in the intense heat, are collected and scattered on the Ganges.

4. Scattering ashes at sea in Hong Kong

Photo: ESB Professional/Shutterstock

With almost 7.4 million residents packed into an area of less than 430 square miles, Hong Kong would be the fourth most densely populated country on the planet (were it actually a country, rather than a Chinese special administrative region). Before it was torn down in the 1990s, the old Hong Kong neighborhood of Kowloon Walled City — an almost physics-defying maze of interconnected towers crammed full of tiny apartments — was considered to be the most densely populated place on Earth, with more than 33,000 people squeezed into just 6.4 acres. That’s roughly 119 times as dense as New York City.

Unsurprisingly, ground burial plots are at something of a premium in Hong Kong, with the few that are available costing anywhere between $380,000 and $640,000. Of the 48,000 people who die in Hong Kong each year, 90 percent are cremated. But in a city so crowded, even a simple niche to store an urn comes with a four-year waiting list and a mind-boggling price tag. To make matters worse, to Chinese people, the idea of taking the urn home — in effect, combining the worlds of the living and the dead — has traditionally been a taboo. So in 2005, the Hong Kong government began promoting “green burials.” Families are encouraged to scatter the ashes of the deceased in one of 11 gardens of remembrance, or at sea. Three areas of sea have been designated for the scattering of human remains; a government-operated free ferry service capable of holding up to 300 people shuttles mourners to and from these dedicated spots, where the remains are cast overboard.

5. Ikwa ozu, the “second burials” of Nigeria’s Igbo people

According to the traditions of the Igbo tribe, an ethnic group native to parts of southern Nigeria, death doesn’t represent the end of life, but instead the transition to a new world. Until a ceremony called ikwa ozu — loosely translated as “celebrating the dead” — has been performed, the deceased is believed to be unable to take their place among their ancestors. While the specifics of these ceremonies differ from one community to another, one common factor is that they take place after the body has been buried, leading to the tradition being referred to as a “second burial.” On these typically lavish occasions, which last anywhere from a few days to several weeks, the family of the deceased spends a small fortune on alcohol, livestock, and entertainment. Sometimes, a mock trial is carried out to establish who, if anyone, was responsible for the death. In a rite known as ino uno akwa, a person known as an ada eats the deceased’s favorite meals, in complete silence, from dawn to dusk to provide the deceased with food in the afterlife. These ceremonies are so expensive that the family often waits for several months after the original burial to hold them, sometimes combining the occasion with a grand memorial service.

6. Dancing with the dead in Madagascar

Photo: Vladislav Belchenko/Shutterstock

On Madagascar, the world’s second-largest island country, the dead continue to play an important part in family life even after they have been buried, thanks to a ceremony called famadihana, or “the turning of the bones.” Every five to seven years, bodies are exhumed from ancestral crypts. Family members carefully strip them of their burial garments and wrap them in fresh shrouds, after which the guests drink, talk, and dance with the departed. Just before the sun sets, the bodies are reinterred, turned upside down, and the crypt sealed for another five to seven years. The ceremony — seen as a joyous occasion — stems from the belief that the dead only move on to the next life after their bones have completely decomposed. Bodies that have never been exhumed exist in a kind of limbo; not part of the living world or that of the ancestors.

7. Ghana’s fantasy coffins

Photo: Homo Cosmicos/Shutterstock

In Ga culture, the dead are believed to be much more powerful than the living, with the ability to influence their relatives, so families do all that they can to ensure the deceased will be sympathetic toward them rather than vengeful. Additionally, the dead are said to continue their living profession in the afterlife and must be buried in something that represents their job. Families commission dedicated manufacturers to create elaborate coffins (known as “fantasy coffins”) in any number of shapes and sizes, from sneakers to boats to Coca-Cola bottles. The tradition has garnered international attention, with the likes of former UN secretary general Kofi Annan and former US president Bill Clinton both reportedly visiting the workshop of internationally renowned fantasy coffin maker Paa Joe. One of Clinton’s predecessors, Jimmy Carter, is even believed to have purchased two fantasy coffins.

8. The Filipino Igorot tribe’s hanging coffins

Photo: flocu/Shutterstock

Originating from the northern provinces of the island of Luzon in the Philippines, the Igorot people practice an ancient funerary custom in which the elderly carve their own coffins, which are then tied or nailed to the side of a cliff when they die. The tradition, believed to date back 2,000 years, is said to lessen the distance between the deceased and their ancestral spirits. Before being placed in the coffin, the corpse is seated on a “death chair,” bound with leaves and vines, then covered with a blanket. The body is smoked to prevent decomposition, allowing relatives to pay their respects over several days. Before the casket is hoisted up the cliff-face to its final resting place, mourners allow fluids from the rotting body to drip over them in the belief that it will bring good luck.

9. Modern mummies watch over the Anga tribe of Papua New Guinea

Photo: Robbie Fatt/Shutterstock

In Egypt, mummification died out between the fourth and seventh centuries AD, but the ancient tradition is alive and well among the Anga people of Papua New Guinea. By mummifying their remains, the departed can be more easily remembered than if they were buried underground, and can continue to protect their families after death. Although less prevalent now than before the arrival of Christian missionaries in the mid-20th century, mummification still happens in the remote, mountainous Morobe Province. Very different to ancient Egyptian techniques, the process involves the seated corpse being smoked over roaring flames for three months to prevent decomposition. When it bloats, the body is poked with sticks to drain the fluids. Throughout, no part of the body — including the fluids and internal organs — is allowed to touch the ground. Once the mummification is complete, the deceased is strapped to a chair and carried to a cliff-top perch, where they sit alongside their elders looking out over the village.


More like this: This is the happiest cemetery in the world

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Whistler, BC by the numbers

Skis or snowboards. Snowshoes or snow tubes. For snow fans of any variety, all lift tickets up the slopes of Whistler Blackcomb are golden. This is, you might say, the best winter on the planet.

Whistler sits high in the Coast Mountains north of Vancouver — you may recall that the two teamed up to host the Winter Olympics back in 2010 — and you can get from one to the other in under two hours via the Sea to Sky Highway. If gorgeous views are your thing, budget extra time for photo stops along the way, especially of Howe Sound, North America’s southernmost fjord.

And that’s just the first factoid to keep in mind — here are the rest. You ready to let yourself out?

For boarders and skiers

Photo: Tourism Whistler/Eric Berger

Winter sports fans of all kinds head to Whistler for the plentiful snow and almost-endless ways to play in it. Whistler Blackcomb ski resort opens in late November and doesn’t close till the end of May. Its two lift-accessible peaks receive some 38 feet of snow annually, and the glacier atop Blackcomb is skiable even in the height of summer.

Whistler Blackcomb also lays claim to North America’s most abundant skiable terrain. Whistler Mountain is the big guy at 4,757 acres, supplemented by Blackcomb’s 3,414 acres. But Blackcomb wins the height award with a top chairlift elevation of 7,494 feet, while Whistler’s is “just” 7,160 feet. Your ears will pop going both up and down the 5,280 feet — yes, that’s exactly 1 mile — of vertical. A total of 36 lifts whiz as many as 70,000 passengers every hour to access the two mountains’ 200+ marked ski and snowboard trails.

Photo: Tourism Whistler/Justa Jeskova

There’s no need to pick just one mountain, either — a single lift ticket grants access to both Whistler and Blackcomb. And instead of skiing down to the Village to switch mountains, you can ride the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola between them. The PEAK 2 PEAK breaks two world records: the longest continuous lift system in the world and the highest lift of its kind, at 1,430 feet above Fitzsimmons Creek. While the 11-minute journey is long enough for a catnap, sharp-eyed passengers might spot lynx in winter and bears during spring ski season. It’s even easier through the two glass-bottomed cabins.

You’re equally welcome at Whistler Blackcomb whether you’re a boarder or a skier. Blackcomb was the first major resort in BC to welcome snowboarders, who were banned on most ski hills around the world during the 1980s. In addition to the regular terrain, each mountain has 4 designated terrain parks, plus Blackcomb has a cross track and a halfpipe.

Instead-of-ski and après-ski

Photo: Tourism Whistler/Justa Jeskova

For those who want to embrace the snow without planks of any kind strapped to their feet, Whistler has plenty of instead-of-ski activities (in addition to the après drinks, food, and festivities). Here’s a list to keep you busy:

Speed across a network of ziplines by day or under the stars.
Bungee jump from a 160-foot-high bridge.
Take the Tube Lift up to slide down 7 tubing lanes.
Have a team of sled dogs pull you at speeds up to 20mph.
Venture out in snowshoes to explore trails in 4 snowshoeing areas.
Take on the world’s fastest ice track and live your Olympic dreams — you can ride with friends in a four-passenger bobsleigh or go it alone, headfirst, aboard a skeleton sled.
Check out all the activities where Kids Play Free . Whistler Blackcomb won the 2019 Readers’ Choice Award for Best International Ski Resort for Families.

Photo: Tourism Whistler/Coast Mountain Photography

If shivering in snow isn’t your thing, know that even in the coldest months temperatures in Whistler Village average between 18 and 28 degrees Fahrenheit. Thanks to the proximity to the Pacific Ocean, daytime temps up on the slopes average 22 degrees Fahrenheit — just right for shredding, carving, and schussing.

There’s joy in watching other people ski, too — especially while staying warm in your own hotel suite or an all-season outdoor pool or hot tub. It gets even warmer at Scandinave Spa Whistler — they’ve got 2 outdoor hot pools, 2 saunas, 2 eucalyptus steam baths, and their signature hot-cold-relax experience (where you can melt into a hot pool and then cool off beneath a Nordic waterfall).

Photo: Tourism Whistler/Justa Jeskova

Or just keep an eye on the snow from the shops in pedestrian-friendly Whistler Village or one of the many restaurants, 18 of them directly on the mountains. Most anywhere you go will be within walking distance of your hotel, and you won’t be missing out on any of the action that is après in Whistler. It’s an experience in itself, a chance to celebrate your day in the mountains, to refuel, refresh, and reconnect with family and friends over a bite and a craft beer (or fancy fine dining!).

Photo: Tourism Whistler/Kevin Arnold

After you’ve caught some air (even if it was just checking out the scenery from the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola), you have plenty of options of where to catch some Zs. Choose from classic hotels — many with multiple bedrooms and full kitchens — chalets, B&Bs, hostels, and campsites. Within a third of a mile of the ski lifts lie 20,000 pillows on which to rest your head, with or without your toque (that, by the way, is Canadian for winter hat).

Whatever your number, you’ll be in 7th Heaven at Whistler Blackcomb (hint: Blackcomb’s 7th Heaven Express takes you right there).

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Barcelona independence protests

After hundreds of pro-independence protesters marched in Catalonia this weekend, members of the Spanish opposition party are calling on Madrid to impose direct rule over the region to restore order. The demonstrations were in response to the jailing of those who organized Catalonia’s independence referendum in 2017, but the Barcelona protests have gotten so out of control that at least 184 people have been arrested and 13 have been hospitalized with injuries, including four who were partially blinded by plastic bullets.

According to Spain’s constitution, Madrid is allowed to intervene in autonomous communities considered to be acting against Spain’s interests. Albert Rivera, the head of the center-right party, has called on the Spanish government to end the chaos by suspending Catalonia’s autonomy and removing its president from office.

Despite a slight reduction in violence over the weekend, there seem to be no signs that the two sides are engaging in any kind of productive dialogue. Catalonia’s president, Quim Torra, has reportedly tried to contact Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, but his calls have not been answered. In a possible explanation, Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska has demanded that “all political forces distance themselves from the violence,” though that might not be the most efficient way to resolve the situation.

Sánchez’s government has refused to revoke Catalonia’s autonomy and impose order through force, insisting that it’s handling the protests in a measured manner. In the meantime, however, travel to Barcelona is being heavily impacted by the violence, with over 50 flights to Barcelona already canceled.


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Violent protests in Santiago, Chile

At least 11 people have been killed in violent protests in Santiago, Chile, sparked by anger over income inequality and the city’s high cost of living. Chile ranks among the worst for countries with a wealth gap between rich and poor citizens, and the recent unrest has only highlighted the already deep divisions in the country. Military and police have attempted to contain protests by using tear gas and water cannons, and imposing curfews, but the state of emergency in Santiago will nevertheless be extended to cities in the country’s north and south.

The protests began after a metro fare hike, and though that fare has since been suspended, the anger over the high cost of living remains. Public transportation has been suspended, flights have been canceled, and banks, schools, and shops have closed due to the violence, with 70 “serious incidents of violence” occurring since the protests began. Protestors have set buses on fire, destroyed metro stations, fought with riot police, and looted over 40 supermarkets and other businesses.

Interior Minister Andrés Chadwick said, “We’re facing a real escalation that is undoubtedly organized to cause serious damage to our country and the lives of each of its citizens.”

Chile’s president, Sebastián Piñera, hasn’t exactly been sympathetic to the plight of the protestors. “We’re very aware that [those behind the riots] have a degree of organization, logistics, typical of a criminal organization,” he said in a TV speech. “I call on all my compatriots to unite in this battle against violence and delinquency.”

Calling protestors “criminals,” Piñera added, “We’re at war against a powerful and implacable enemy who doesn’t respect anything or anyone, and who’s willing to use limitless violence and criminal acts.”


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The post Violent protests in Santiago, Chile, leave 11 dead, state of emergency declared appeared first on Matador Network.

Royal Caribbean bans woman for photo

The point of taking photos of yourself in precarious situations is to get attention, but this woman didn’t get the kind of attention she was hoping for. A female passenger on Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas ship was posing for a photo while standing on her balcony railing several stories above the ocean, when she was spotted by a fellow passenger. This passenger, Peter Blosic, couldn’t tell if she was taking a photo or considering jumping, so he snapped a picture of her and alerted the ship’s authorities.

He told CNN, “While on my balcony, I saw the woman climb on her railing. It happened so quickly. Not knowing what her intentions were, I alerted the crew. If I said nothing, and she was going to jump, that would be horrible.”

This woman was removed from a cruise ship and banned for life after she climbed onto her room's balcony railing to pose for a dangerous photo shoot https://t.co/nyewFXcBw5

— CNN International (@cnni) October 18, 2019

The crew identified the room, and once the ship docked in Falmouth, Jamaica, the woman and her behind-the-camera partner were removed. Not only that — they were also banned for life from Royal Caribbean.

According to a statement issued by Royal Caribbean, the woman was “recklessly and dangerously posing for a photo by standing on her stateroom balcony railing,” and that “as a result of their actions [they] are now banned for life from sailing with Royal Caribbean.”

For the aspiring Instagram models out there, Royal Caribbean expressly forbids “sitting, standing, lying or climbing on, over or across any exterior or interior railings or other protective barriers.”


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The post Woman banned from Royal Caribbean for life for standing on balcony railing for photo appeared first on Matador Network.

LGBTQ guide to San Francisco

San Francisco is one of the oldest and most celebrated epicenters of queer culture in the US. There’s been a whisper in the Barbary Coast wind saying “go West, gay man” ever since the 1840s and ‘50s when the Gold Rush enticed men to follow a yellow-brick road towards California. Nearly 95 percent of San Francisco was male at the time, and as the saying goes, if there’s a (man named) Will, there’s a way — and there was.

The real game-changer for the city’s queer community came during World War II when the United States Army issued “blue discharges” for men and women caught engaging in homosexual activity. Many were left in San Francisco, the last port of call before heading to war in the Pacific. This gave gay people the opportunity to connect, form relationships, and build their own communities. In 1955, the first national political and social lesbian organization, The Daughters of Bilitis, was founded in the Bay Area.

Then, in a 1964 Life Magazine article about homosexuality in the United States, San Francisco was named “the gay capital of America.” The whisper in the wind became a shout. Queer folks heeded the call and began escaping to the Golden Gate City in droves. It wasn’t long before SF’s Castro District took up the flag as one of the greatest gayborhoods America had ever seen.

LGBTQ pop culture in the city

Photo: Nickolay Stanev/Shutterstock

Since then, San Francisco has played a dynamic role in LGBTQ activism. In 1977, Harvey Milk became the first openly gay official elected in the state of California, eventually paving the way for politicians like Gavin Newsom, who issued the city’s first same-sex marriage license in 2004, and Mark Leno, who became the first openly gay man in the California State Senate in 2008. When SF’s gay population was decimated by the AIDS epidemic in the ‘80s and ‘90s, the city became one of the frontrunners in AIDS research and relief and continues to lead the call for new treatment and prevention.

San Francisco is so queer that its influence has literally been sewn into the fabric of LGBTQ life. You know the rainbow flag? SF native Gilbert Baker is responsible for making that synonymous with the community (a tribute flag to Baker flies on the corner of Castro and Market Street). The AIDS Memorial Quilt? You can thank San Francisco’s Cleve Jones. Books, television, and film? Queer San Francisco has infiltrated that sphere, too, and is immortalized in Armistead Maupin’s Tales of the City, HBO’s Looking, and the Academy Award-winning movie Milk.

San Francisco today

San Francisco remains one of the most gay-friendly cities in the US, notable for its vibrant nightlife scene, leather enclave, and racially diverse communities. While the Castro is still the center of queer life, both gentrification and a greater acceptance of LGBTQ lifestyles have spawned some Castro District residents to move elsewhere. Now, rather than having one gayborhood like an island, you’ll find queer cultural archipelagos taking root all around San Francisco. This list of SF’s best LGBTQ spots reflects some of those recent changes.

Bars and nightclubs

Photo: Naeblys/Shutterstock

The Castro
Twin Peaks Tavern

Twin Peaks Tavern is a historic San Francisco institution catty-corner to the Castro’s high-flying rainbow flag. The bar, which has been operating as a gay business since 1972, made waves in the Gay Liberation Movement when the owners decided to uncover the street-facing windows. In a time when being gay wasn’t okay, having a drink here became the ultimate expression of living out and proud. Today, the vintage interior, decorated with Tiffany lamps, is popular with an older clientele; locals lovingly refer to it as “The Glass Coffin.”

Where: 401 Castro Street

The Edge

A cozy boy-bar near the literal edge of Castro’s LGBTQ-oriented businesses, this watering hole is notable for its Musical Mondays and Wednesdays. Belt out your favorite Broadway classics while accompanying videos play on TV screens overhead. It’s the gay equivalent of Football Sundays.

Where: 4149 18th Street

Hi Tops

San Francisco’s only gay sports bar, Hi Tops is regularly packed with jocks and those who admire them. The bar gets rowdiest on game days but is still popular with pitchers and catchers most nights of the week. Considering this is a gay bar, Hi Tops serves surprisingly delicious burgers and chicken wings — though I’d suggest opting for the salad if you’re playing catcher in the evening’s big game.

Where: 2247 Market Street

Beaux

Photo: Beaux SF 2 in artdrops

Beaux is one of the only Castro bars where people like to get down on the dance floor. The bi-level space tends to attract a younger crowd, particularly on Thursdays when the DJ spins tunes from the ‘90s and early aughts. Be sure to check the bar’s weekly schedule — RuPaul’s army of queens and SF’s homegrown divas regularly perform to packed crowds on Sunday nights.

Where: 2344 Market Street

The Mix

The back patio is the best reason to check out this friendly neighborhood bar just off Castro Street. Less rowdy than some of the other bars in the area, you can grab a pitcher of beer and find enough seats out back to enjoy San Francisco’s cool evening air with friends. Pool sharks beware — the players here are fierce and will give you a run for your money.

Where: 4086 18th Street

Polk Gulch and The Tenderloin
The Cinch

Before the 1960s and ‘70s, Polk Gulch was the epicenter of SF’s queer community. Today, This no-frills saloon along Polk Street is all that remains. It’s worth paying homage to this laid-back establishment if only to check out the racy poster by Richard Roesner of a lion mounting a man, which used to hang at the now-closed Lion Pub.

Where: 1723 Polk Street

Aunt Charlie’s Lounge

The only surviving gay bar in the dicey Tenderloin district, Aunt Charlie’s Lounge has been a safe haven for the queer community since the 1960s. Passing through the tattered curtain and into the pink-lit space is like traveling back in time, particularly during Thursday night’s Tubesteak Connection. The disco-themed party features video screens playing vintage porn, walls decked out in silver tinsel, and LPs of Grace Jones hanging from the ceiling. It’s a great two-for-one deal — cheap drinks plus a queerstory lesson — both served with a smile.

Where: 133 Turk Street

South of Market (SoMa)
Powerhouse

This cruisy kink-and-leather bar harkens back to the pre-Grindr era when people met each other in person. You’ll find a wide array of gay bachelors interested in such intimacy — particularly during Thursday’s underwear party, JUNK, and Friday’s STANK, when the bar holds a ripe pit contest. With cheap drinks, a back porch where anything goes, and a dance floor that can get pretty libidinous on the weekends, this all-are-welcome hot spot is a gay man’s carnal carnival.

Where: 1347 Folsom Street

SF Eagle

The Eagle is an elysium for SF’s leather community — you’ll find men here of all shapes, ages, and sizes hanging out in chaps, harnesses, and caps. The spacious outdoor patio is a favorite place to congregate during the Sunday afternoon Beer Bust, and the inside stage gets crowded with people living out their 1970s fantasies at the once-a-month Disco Daddy dance party. With locations in 15 of the 50 United States, The Eagle is a queer American institution not to be missed.

Where: 398 12th Street

The Stud

Photo: The STUD/Facebook

The Stud is so beloved by San Franciscans that when rising rents threatened to close the bar in 2016, a consortium of 18 nightlife and business professionals banded together to keep the party alive. It’s now the first worker-owned bar in the US. In over 50 years of operation, it has welcomed an impressive roster of queer celebs and top-tier drag queens to the stage (including SF’s mother of drag, Heklina), and continues to attract an array of people to its weekly events, which include karaoke, lesbian parties, and burlesque shows.

Where: 399 9th Street

The Mission
Jolene’s

Home to SF’s favorite Friday night lesbian party, UHAUL, Jolene’s is a new queer establishment for ladies and other femme-identifying folks on the edge of the Mission. You can bump and grind all night long on the dance floor plastered with breast-filled wallpaper, or check out their gluten-free and veggie-friendly weekend brunch.

Where: 2700 16th Street

Oakland
Club 21

A largely Latinx crowd hangs out at Club 21, a nightclub with go-go boys, drag queens, and other live performances served up muy picante. The best night to check out the crowd is during Saturday’s La Bota Loca party, when Latinx cowboys outfitted in Stetsons and boots try roping steers on the prairie-sized dance floor.

Where: 2111 Franklin Street

White Horse

The hipster crowd may have only recently caught on to Oakland’s awesomeness, but White Horse has been a popular LGBTQ establishment across the San Francisco Bay since 1933, making it one of the oldest operating gay bars in the country. Students from nearby Berkeley dance their weekends away in the back of the bar; pool players tend to congregate near the front near the game table.

Where: 6551 Telegraph Ave

Parks and beaches

Mission Dolores Park

Photo: FTiare/Shutterstock

The buttery scent of nearby Bi-Rite Creamery mixes with the faint smell of pot as you walk from the bottom of Dolores Parks’ steep slope to the top where the Castro begins. Here, on the corner of Church and 20th, you’ll find unobstructed views of downtown’s skyscrapers, and on a clear day, the bay extending beyond. Known as the “gay beach” or the “fruit shelf,” this area of Mission Dolores Park is neither a beach nor a produce market, but you’re still sure to see plenty of speedo-clad men hocking their bananas on sunnier days.

Where: Church Street & 20th Street

Marshall’s Beach

This thin strip of sand, backed by steep cliffs and sea-carved boulders, is a secluded step outside the hum of San Francisco. Here, underneath the eye of the Golden Gate Bridge, the buzz of cars crossing the mile-long stretch of steel is drowned out by waves crashing along the shore. It’s no wonder queer folks have a history of calling this spot their own. Long before a proper trail was built, they’d scurry down the dangerous cliffside to the beach below totally free from the constraints (and clothes) of the world above them. Luckily for you, a steep-but-safe half-mile trail now zig-zags from Battery Godfrey down to the beach. You don’t have to lose your long johns once you’ve arrived, but don’t be surprised to see an alternative crowd of nudists soaking up the sun. The closer you get to the bridge, the more likely you are to see some skin. Though predominantly gay, the company here is mixed. A beautiful view knows no prejudice.

Where: Batteries to Bluffs Trail — drive to the Langdon Center parking lot and walk from Battery Godfrey.

Black Sands Beach

You have to cross the Golden Gate Bridge and drive through the Marin Headlands to access this quiet beach, but it’s well worth the trip. There are expansive views of San Francisco’s chalk-colored buildings rising across the bay as you descend to the water, and once you arrive, it feels like you’re on a far-away island, even though you’re only a half-hour drive from the city center. To access the clothing-optional gay section, take a right once you get to the bottom of the trail and climb over the large rock jutting into the sea. Like most SF beaches, swimming isn’t recommended, as the water is rough and usually shark-infested.

Where: Black Sands Beach Trail, Mill Valley — use the Upper Fisherman’s parking lot for access

Landmarks

Photo: Ken Wolter/Shutterstock

National AIDS Memorial Grove

There’s a 10-acre grove in Golden Gate Park where you’ll regularly find freshly laid roses adorning large stones inscribed with peoples’ names. There are too many names to count. A somber silence fills the air in this part of the park, but if you take a closer look at the memorials, the grove begins to sing stories of love, loss, and perseverance from the dirt ground below to the regal redwoods above.

San Francisco’s gay community was one of the hardest hit by the onslaught of AIDS, and in the late 1980s, a group of locals began drafting plans to turn this area into a memorial honoring those who lost their lives. In 1996, President Clinton made the site a federally designated national monument. It remains a sacred space for those affected by the epidemic.

Where: Nancy Pelosi Drive & Bowling Green Drive, Golden Gate Park

GLBT Historical Society Museum

This Castro-based museum might be small, but it certainly packs a punch. A leader in the public history of America’s queer community, this museum covers Northern California’s GLBT history from the 1850s to the present.

Where: 4127 18th Street

Pink Triangle Park and Memorial

The 15 granite pylons in this park represent the 15,000 homosexual men who were sentenced to work and death camps in Europe between 1933 and 1945. A pink triangle of rose quartz stones surrounds the site’s rose bushes, and visitors are encouraged to take the rocks and spread the memorial’s message of love wherever they go.

Where: 2454 Market Street

The Castro Theater

Photo: Gimas/Shutterstock

Built in 1922, this movie theater is both the most distinctive architectural feature along Castro Street and a San Francisco Historic Landmark. The venue hosts a rotating roster of drag shows and other live performances, along with new film releases, throwbacks to queer cult favorites, and occasional sing-a-longs to musicals.

Where: 429 Castro Street

Shopping

Photo: AdrianoK/Shutterstock

Most of San Francisco’s queer-centric shopping can either be found in the Castro District, along Castro Street or Market Street. There’s a well-curated collection of LGBTQ literature at Dog Eared Books, gay-rights-themed clothing at Human Rights Campaign Action Center and Store, and trendy queer clothing at boutique stores BODY Clothing and Rolo. It’s also worth stopping in Mr. S Leather. The warehouse-sized leather-and-fetish store for men is an iconic South of Market staple.

Annual events

Photo: Frank Fennema/Shutterstock

Gay Pride

San Francisco’s annual Pride celebration, which began in 1970, is one of the most well-attended and highest regarded LGBTQ events in the US. For all of June, the city holds tons of queer-oriented parties and rallies, culminating in a weekend-long celebration at the end of the month. The festivities begin on a Saturday at the Civic Center Plaza; the Pride Parade starts on Sunday morning at Beale Street and ends downtown at Market and 8th Street. There’s a Dyke March and Trans March, too. They take place on Friday and Saturday, respectively, in response to the recent corporatization of Pride, honoring the original anti-establishment message of the 1970s and ‘80s.

Where: Castro District

Folsom Street Fair

The world’s largest annual leather event attracts nearly 400,000 BDSM-curious people to San Francisco’s South of Market neighborhood. The sex-positive block party, which began in 1984, takes place on a Sunday in the last week of September to cap off Leather Pride Week. Speaking of caps, you’re sure to see tons of daddies and dominatrixes in leather caps, chaps and everything in between — be it latex dresses, rubber puppy costumes with butt-plug tails, or people wearing body paint (or less, if you’re lucky). The best way to enjoy this everything-goes event is to wander around the booths hocking sex products and giving live performances. While the festival has gotten decidedly more tame in recent years, it’s still a delightfully ribald introduction to the BDSM lifestyle. The event is free; donations are encouraged.

Where: Folsom Street between 8th & 13th Street

Up Your Alley

This bawdy celebration of all-things BDSM makes Folsom Street Fair look like a day at Disneyland. Up Your Alley is for serious fetish lovers — you’ll see bondage, spanking, watersports, and some other things you should probably discuss with professionals before trying at home. The event began in 1985 as a way to bring the nighttime leather and cruising community into the light of day. Up Your Alley takes place at the end of July, and regularly attracts 15,000 visitors, mostly gay men.

Where: Dore Alley between Howard and Folsom

Accomodations

Photo: Parker Guest House/Facebook

The Parker Guest House

This charming boutique B&B, housed in two Edwardian homes, is a cozy, queer-friendly lodging mere steps from Mission Dolores Park. Along with a private room, guests have access to a communal front parlor and library, a sunroom, and outdoor decks and gardens. It’s the closest you can get to living like a local while staying in a hotel.

Where: 520 Church Street

Hotel Emblem

Most reasonably priced hotels in San Francisco are either in or around Union Square. While far from gay nightlife, this area is centrally located in SF’s shopping district and an easy walk to many other neighborhoods. Hotel Emblem is one of the better options if you choose to stay in this part of town. The hotel rooms are quirky and colorful, and the lobby’s mix of modern art and vintage furniture makes it a chic spot to kick back a glass of California wine.

Where: 562 Sutter Street

Misterb&b

This online social platform for homestays functions like Airbnb, only Misterb&b specifically caters to gay men. You can find everything from single rooms to entire villas, offered at a wide array of prices. It’s a great alternative to SF’s notoriously expensive hotels.

Where: Online


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Tamworth Distilling Graverobber rye

Sometimes the most fun thing about a superstition is tempting fate and going against it.

In the early 2010s, Jamie Oakes, master distiller at Tamworth Distilling, was tapping the maple trees at Great Hill Farm near Tamworth, New Hampshire. The procession of maples he was working on included some trees that were more than 100 years old, and all led up to the farmhouse. Oakes was shadowing an older local man, taking photos of him as the crew worked their way down the line. About two-thirds of the way through, he reached an old knobby maple on the eastern side that sat on top of a plot of barely marked headstones in a 30-square-foot cemetery. Just before he drilled in, the local man stopped him.

“I was a little confused, since there is a maple not 40 feet away I had just tapped,” Oakes says. “He simply and surely told me ‘we don’t tap that one.’ Normally a rosy-cheeked jovial fellow (the air still crisp), his face was grave and pale. I knew the cemetery existed on the property, but as I saw the cold face staring blankly at me I only then realized I was directly on top of the parcel.”

An honest mistake — the spring snow was still piled high enough to cover all but the tops of the 10 or so one-foot-tall tombstones. Tamworth Distilling’s founder, Steve Grasse, had noticed that particular graveyard maple as well, and had ideas about using it to make a spirit before there was even an official working distillery.

“I mentioned this somewhat somber interaction during the next weekly meeting [at Tamworth Distilling],” Oakes says. “Kind of a funny anecdote, and Steve was intrigued.” After learning more, Oakes says, “what I thought was just an old local’s apprehension turned out to be a very real superstition.”

That passing interaction was the start of an off-and-on conversation about how to use that maple in a spirit somehow. Fast forward seven years, and those conversations have finally come to fruition: In September 2019, Tamworth Distilling released Graverobber Unholy Rye, a whiskey flavored with maple syrup made from the graveyard’s trees.

Tamworth isn’t the first to tap maple syrup from cemetery trees, but it is the first to make a whiskey with it. Staff at Fernhill Cemetery in New Brunswick on Canada’s east coast has made a maple syrup, as has Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum in Cincinnati and St. Agnes Cemetery near Albany, New York.

Technically speaking, the maple syrup from cemetery trees is perfectly safe to eat or drink, and the idea that it’s bad luck or disrespectful to tap maple from them isn’t widespread. Jennifer Mele, the director of communications for Albany Diocesan Cemeteries (which runs St. Agnes), hadn’t heard of the taboo, and neither had the cemetery historian. The trees were tapped as an experiment, and the syrup was more of a fun side project.

“We didn’t have any complaints (about the taste),” Mele says over the phone, laughing.

Brian Heinz, manager of horticulture at Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum, wasn’t aware of any taboos either. However, the cemetery historian, Skip Holmes, “liked the punny humor in that verbiage” of the Graverobber whiskey.

Photo: Tamworth Distilling

Grasse and Oakes dug into the histories and legends behind the superstition and were often faced with more questions than answers.

“The lore doesn’t seem to have a definitive tale, just a general guideline not to disturb burial plots or partake of the fruits of the sacred soil,” Oakes says.

Just as murky was who, exactly, is buried in the small cemetery. Grasse researched gravesite history and the past owners of the property but found nothing. The marketing material for Graverobber Unholy Rye notes a placard from the mid-1700s by the cemetery that reads, “Here lies early settlers, their names may be forgotten, but their souls are registered in heaven.”

“I think the unmarked gravesite is ultimately more mysterious,” Oakes says. “There are some speculations as to who might actually be buried there, but personally I think not knowing is better.”

What is known is that Graverobber Unholy Rye is delicious. The overproof whiskey is strong, at 45 percent ABV, but balanced by an underlying sweetness. There’s just enough spice to give it a long finish. A bottle has sat in my apartment for some time without any haunting vibes, but the same can’t be said at Tamworth Distilling.

“Funny you should ask, but we have had some really odd things around the distillery,” Oakes says. “Electrical outages, switches failing, and pumps not working. We rarely have issues (knock on wood) and to have a few stack up in the weeks of dumping the barrel, bottling, and so on feels … um … just outside of coincidence.”


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Budapest’s underground attractions

Budapest is filled with endless things to do, from exploring impressive Castle Hill to walking through the Jewish Quarter and along the Danube Promenade. But with a constant buzz wafting down Budapest’s cobblestoned core, many forget that the city has several attractions that cannot be seen from above. Natural caves systems underlie much of the city, which have served as dungeons, churches, even a hospital. Here’s what to see in Budapest below ground.

1. Caving in the Buda Hills

Photo: Tupungato/Shutterstock

Budapest is a city of two worlds, Buda and Pest. The main hub of the city — with its Parliament Building, food market, and commerce — lies in bustling Pest. Across the Danube River lies Buda, with its castle, fancy residential homes, and the picturesque Buda Hills. Although ascending the forested trails of the Buda Hills is definitely worth your time, even if just for the views, there’s a reason to look down as well — as there’s an entire cave network underneath your feet.

The two most popular caves are Pálvölgyi (Paul Valley) and Szemlőhegyi (Szemlo Hill) Caves. Both provide a long network of underground walking trails, plus a consistent temperature of about 53 degrees — so don’t forget a jacket even in the summer months. With ladders and stairs, you can climb deep into the chilly caves and admire the crystal formations, stalactites, and stalagmites.

The Pálvölgyi Cave stretches around 18 miles, making it the longest cave network in Budapest. It’s often considered the most beautiful as well, thanks to its dripstone formations. If you want to reap the health benefits of mineral-infused air, then the Szemlőhegyi Caves are your best bet. Tours to the Pálvölgyi Cave are about $6.50 for adults, but you can get a combined ticket to both it and the Szemlőhegyi Caves for $10.

2. Buda Castle Labyrinth

Photo: Labyrinth of Buda Castle/Facebook

If you’re traveling with a family, an easier caving experience is the Labyrinth under Castle Hill. Although the history of the Labyrinth — which is part of a natural underground cave system — goes back hundreds of thousands of years, its most recent use was as a shelter during World War II. Its other roles have included wine storage, mining, military purposes, and even a prison. Dracula — or rather the Transylvanian prince known as Vlad the Impaler who inspired the fictional blood-drinking character — is thought to have been imprisoned there.

The labyrinth is extremely popular today and contains special exhibitions inside as well. The Labyrinth costs $10 for adults and $3.40 for kids under 12. It takes just 30 minutes to walk through, but factor the line into your plans. The best way to see it is during its evening tour at 6:00 PM, when you tour it only with the light of oil lamps.

3. Hospital in the Rock

Photo: Hospital in the Rock/Facebook

Although the Labyrinth may have mostly been used for corridors and storage rooms, one part of the underground cave network was a vital aspect of war culture in Budapest. The Hospital in the Rock also sits below the castle and is now home to a museum. During WWII, however, the space was used as a very important air raid hospital.

Later, during Hungary’s 1956 Revolution, the hospital was reopened to treat wounded civilians and soldiers. It closed at the end of that year, only to expand into a secret nuclear bunker during the Cold War. In case of a nuclear or chemical attack, the bunker was still equipped with a fully functioning hospital. During this time, some doctors and nurses regularly practiced procedures to be prepared. Today, you can visit by guided tours, which departs on the hour daily from 10 AM, with the last tour leaving at 7:00 PM. (In summer, tours run on the half hour in the middle of the day as well). The tour costs $13.50.

4. The Cave Church

Photo: Mikhail Markovskiy/Shutterstock

After Castle Hill, the other hill that dominates Buda’s skyline is Gellért Hill. You know it as home to Hungary’s own Liberty Statue and the famous citadel. But deep under these landmarks lies another cave network. The only area open to the public is St. Ivan’s Cave, which today consists of Sziklatemplom, also known as the Cave Church, Rock Church, or St. Ivan’s Cave.

Founded in 1926, the church was used as a hospital and treatment center during WWII. During the Communist regime, however, the church was sealed shut and inaccessible to the public. It reopened in 1991 after the end of communist rule.

5. Continental Europe’s oldest metro system

Photo: Gordon Bell/Shutterstock

London may have Budapest beat when it comes to the oldest underground metro line in Europe, but the city’s famous yellow line (known as M1) is the oldest outside of the British Isles. It opened in the spring of 1896, connecting two of the city’s biggest hubs: the Danube Promenade and City Park. Along the way, it now makes several stops including St. Stephen’s Basilica, the Hungarian State Opera House, Heroes Square, and Széchenyi Thermal Baths.

As you hang on to leather straps and catch glimpses of tiled subway stations, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time. Contrast the M1 with the city’s newest metro line — the M4 green line — and you’ll go from historic to modern. Each station on the M4 line was designed by a different artist and showcases Budapest’s technological innovation.


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