Author: Ms. R.

Ubasute is an infamous motif in Japanese folklore, which can be roughly translated to “elderly dumping.” Though no historical records back up the claim, the custom of senicide—leaving old people in the mountains to die so that there would be less mouths to feed in the village—is a well-established concept in Japanese legends. A major example of a purported site of ubasute tradition can be found in the village of Yamaguchi-Tsuchibuchi in Tōno, Iwate Prefecture, a city famed for its associations……

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On the grounds of Oklahoma City‘s Myriad Botanical Gardens stands the unique architecture of the Inasmuch Foundation Crystal Bridge Conservatory. The large cylinder, which was built from 1983 to 1985, is 70 feet in diameter and 224 feet long. It was opened to the public in 1988.  The cylinder houses the tropical plants for the Myriad Botanical Garden. It has three levels with plants and trees of all types displayed.  A sky bridge extends from the top levels, providing……

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Appalachia has provided cultural riches to the world, but its greatest achievement may be string-band music, particularly old-time and bluegrass. In essence, it’s Appalachia’s core story: immigrants move and bring their culture into the mountains, and become part of the greater whole. Appalachian string-band music combines African-rooted banjo, fiddle and ballads from Scotland, England and Ireland, and numerous other musical strains to make something new that couldn’t have originated anywhere else.  Perhaps the best thing about mountain string music……

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The smallest village in the Grand Duchy, Rindschleiden is well known to Luxembourgers. This reputation is confirmed by the national register: The village’s last inhabitant (the priest) passed away in 2016. The village has only four buildings: the church, the presbytery, the old school, and a farmhouse that houses the Thillenvogtei Rural Museum. The church of St Willibrord seems to be out of proportion for such a small village. The explanation is historical: In the park behind the church……

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Picking up a trinket or two as a souvenir while on vacation is a common practice. What’s less common, however, is buying an alligator while on a trip—and then intentionally leaving it behind on an overnight stop. That, however, is the unique lore of The Jefferson Hotel.  The Jefferson Hotel was opened in 1895 by Lewis Ginter. It has since appeared on many illustrious lists, including The National Registry of Historic Places and Hotels of America. The Jefferson has……

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AO Wants to Know is an ongoing interview series where we ask experts in extraordinary subjects to share their knowledge with us. I’ve always thought of stage magic as something that happens in person, but magician Siegfried Tieber showed me that it can even be performed over Zoom. During our video call, he folded a $1 bill in his hand and a $5 bill underneath his wallet, which sat on the table in front of him. If we were……

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At the corner of Chestnut Street and 2nd Street, there’s a tiny park featuring a gazebo and a heartwarming tribute to a tremendously successful NFL running back. Saquon Barkley grew up within walking distance of the boulder-affixed plaque honoring him. Barkley played for Whitehall High School before going on to star at Penn State University. He then played in the National Football League for the New York Giants and the Philadelphia Eagles, with whom he won the Super Bowl in……

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Since 16th century Turkey, this covered market has been bustling with vendors and eager customers. Built in 1519, Kirkkasik Bedestenb can be considered a small version of the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul. Also known as White Bazaar, Kirkkasik Bedesten is a rectangular building with seven domes on its roof. Inside, it has 21 rooms that serve as shops. The building was renovated in the 1960s and 2000s, and is now open to the public. Today, Bedesten is one of……

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A Lord Shiva temple in the Pashan area of Pune, Maharashtra stands within a walled, fort-like complex. At the center of the complex, one can see the grand Someshwar Temple, which is thought to be 900 years old.  It is believed that the Shiv Linga (sacred symbol) in this temple is ‘Swayambhu,’ which means ‘self-existing.’ Some say that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj used to visit this temple along with his mother Rajmata Jijabai in the 17th century. Next to the Lord……

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European settlers took note of the various warm and hot springs located throughout Appalachia, especially along the Virginia/West Virginia border. Some of these gave rise to resorts: The Greenbrier in West Virginia and the Homestead in Virginia both were built near hot springs thought to have restorative properties.  Then there’s Gunpowder Springs, located west of Blacksburg, Virginia, which gave rise to the town of Eggleston, which visitors accessed by train. Beginning in 1926, Pyne’s General Store supplied town residents……

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