What Happens When A Boeing 747 Comes To The End Of Its Working Life?

by Jessica Festa on




We talk a lot about what goes on with airplanes while they’re being used by airlines, but have you ever wondered what happens to an aircraft when it comes to the end of its working life?

Since its first commercial flight in 1970, Boeing’s 747 jumbo jet, one of the most recognized aircrafts in the industry, has been flying travelers around the world. Like all commercial airplanes, the 747 must undergo regular checks to ensure its safety and efficiency. According to Digital Trends, about every six years these airplanes undergo a complete overhaul on the inside and outside.

BBC recently looked closely into the matter, creating a documentary called “Engineering Giants.” The documentary looks at the process of a Boeing 747 refit and what happens when one reaches the end of its working life. Usually, the first step is to take everything of value out of the airplane, like cockpit screens that can go for $30,000 each and engines that sell for around $1 million. From there, it’s time to crush the plane’s shell, which takes about three days. Lastly, the twisted aluminum is sold for approximately $55,000 and recycled into drink cans, bicycle frames and other useful items.

For a visual of the demolition, check out the video above.

10 Essential Destinations In Mexico

by Jessica Festa on

While many think of Mexico as a country that’s too dangerous to visit, there are actually many beautiful, safe and historically rich cities worth making a trip for.

While Tulum features one of the most well preserved ancient civilizations in the country, Copper Canyon features an extreme adventure park inside its ravine. Additionally, Guadalajara boasts magic villages, UNESCO World Heritage Sites and 684 historical monuments, while Guanajuato has an entire underground road system and an active mining community. These are just some of the experiences to be had in these worthwhile cities in Mexico.

For a more visual idea of these essential Mexican destinations, check out the gallery below.

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[image via Bjorn Christian Torrissen]

A Night Aboard ‘Ms. Nancy Boggs’ At Far Rockaway’s Boatel

by Jessica Marati on

It was like stepping onto the set of a horror film. An array of dusty knick-knacks lined the shelves, ranging from empty glass bottles to vintage photographs and eyeless doll heads. Torn pantyhose, some colored red, were strewn up as curtains. In the closet, there was a musty aroma and a pile of something furry.

This would be our home for the evening.

We were onboard “Ms. Nancy Boggs,” a 1967 Drift-R houseboat that had been outfitted as part of the Boatel floating hotel project at Marina 59 in Far Rockaway, Queens, just an hour from downtown New York City. Described as an “interactive art and sound installation,” the Boatel consists of 16 themed houseboats, clustered around a central dock that functions as an outdoor kitchen and common space. “Bad Irene” combines futuristic décor with Bollywood kitsch; “Sweet Annisa” sports a red vinyl interior said to have been designed for West Indian drug lords; and “Americano” was built for a weekend bender with Vanilla Ice, Richard Pryor and Neil Patrick Harris. Personality? This place has plenty.

Our adventure had begun earlier in the day, on the A train from Manhattan. Boatel’s website had advised us to come “adventure-ready,” so our overnight bags were stuffed accordingly: bug spray, sunscreen, sleeping bags, booze and an assortment of costume apparel left over from last year’s trip to Burning Man.

By the time we arrived at Marina 59, the sun had already fallen. A few grizzled sailors manned the entrance to the Boatel, swilling Coors Light on plastic chairs. When we inquired about our night’s accommodations, a fairy-like blonde appeared with directions to our boat and an invitation to return if we wanted sheets.

The dock had seen better days, and its panels groaned under our weight. After unloading our gear onto Nancy and gaping at her oddities with a mix of whimsy, curiosity and fear, we poured ourselves a drink and ventured out to explore our surroundings.

First stop was the convenience store next door, where we were instantly reminded that we weren’t in a nautical Never-Never Land, but rather smack in the middle of one of Queens’ rougher neighborhoods. The cashiers seemed used to drop-in hippies from the Marina, though, and they laughed at our tie-dye and face paint.

Back in the Marina, we dropped by a shipping-container-turned-art-studio, filled with paintings that were colorful but angry, and filled with sexual symbolism. A pillow and yoga mat lay in the corner, as evidence of artistic commitment.

Walking back to the boat, we encountered two goats that seemed perfectly at home in the middle of a parking lot in a dilapidated marina in Queens. This would be an interesting night.

Back on the dock, a lecture was in progress. In addition to houseboat accommodations, Boatel also offers a variety of community programming, including lectures, live music and a “Floating Cinema” featuring screenings of nautical classics like “Treasure Island” and “20,000 Leagues Under The Sea.” Two-thirds of the way through, the lecture was interrupted by a theatrical play on a shark attack, complete with splashing kayakers and projected images of sharp teeth.

Post-lecture, we barbequed, drank and relaxed on the pier. Between the softly lapping waves and surreal surroundings, it was easy to escape the pulsating energy of the city we’d left just a few hours earlier. Conversation jumped from topic to esoteric topic, and laughter echoed in the air. No one checked their smartphones. Somewhere between late evening and early morning, we slipped into deep sleeps, aided by Nancy’s gentle rocking.

Morning came, and intense sunlight woke us long before we were ready. As my eyes fluttered open, I took in the surroundings: the glinting glass bottles, the vintage photographs. The light was soft streaming in through the pantyhose. Even the doll heads didn’t look so creepy in the light of day.

Stepping off the boat, we greeted the friends we’d made the previous evening and began to prepare a light breakfast. But soon, the morning calm was interrupted by a band of police inspectors, who stopped at each boat to inquire about the Boatel’s safety practices. Despite my initial reservations the night before, I now felt affectionate toward the Boatel, even a bit defensive of the otherworldly atmosphere the artists and organizers had managed to create. The Boatel is no luxury “I’m On A Boat” experience, but it is certainly something special, and we shared as much with our interrogators. Then, with one last look back at the dock, the goats and Ms. Nancy Boggs, we braced ourselves to reenter the real world.

The Boatel is located at Marina 59 in Far Rockaway, Queens, just off the A subway stop at Beach 60th Street. Rooms are available from Wednesday to Sunday until November 1, with rates starting from $55/night.

Beatles Fans Can Now Sleep In A Real Yellow Submarine Hotel

by Jessica Festa on

Have you ever listened to the hit Beatles song and dreamed of spending the night in an actual “yellow submarine”? Now you can, with the newest quirky accommodation in Liverpool.

Aptly situated in the home of the Fab Four, the floating submarine hotel is painted to resemble the vessel from the cover of the “Yellow Submarine” record. According to the Daily Mail, the hotel floats on a mooring in Albert Dock and comes complete with 3D televisions, Wi-Fi, computers, a trippy lounge and a skateboard from the film set of “Quadrophenia.”

The man behind the ingenious idea is Mr. Alfie Bubbles, whose last project was designing a Batman-themed moat hotel. When it became successful, Mr. Bubbles realized the potential of floating accommodations. After deciding on the theme for the submarine hotel, he spent nine months searching for ’60s-inspired accents for the rooms. Additionally, he was able to acquire the same boat used in Sean Connery’s “The Hunt For Red October.”

Mr. Bubbles hopes his next floating ventures will include hotels with “Titanic” and “Pirates of the Caribbean” themes.

So, how much does it cost to sleep in the yellow submarine hotel? Monday through Thursday, expect to pay about $232 per night. From Friday through Sunday, the price goes up to about $466 to $545 per night.

Would you pay to sleep in a floating submarine hotel?

[Image via Beatlesfan2]

Artist Campaigns To Convert Abandoned Detroit Neighborhood Into A Zombie Theme Park

by Jessica Festa on



While Detroit, Michigan, doesn’t exactly have the best reputation when it comes to safety and quality of life, Mark Siwak wants to help change that. The artist has made a request on Indiegogo, asking for help with a new idea to turn an abandoned Detroit neighborhood into a usable zombie theme park.

The project, called “Z World Detroit,” will make constructive use of homes and buildings that have been left behind. Because of the rundown atmosphere of these neglected urban areas, the idea wouldn’t even be difficult to pull off. The only other thing really necessary would be some zombie actors. Additionally, it will bring a quirky, new attraction to a city that is often looked down upon by visitors.

“The Z World Detroit initiative is a radical rethinking of urban redevelopment and Detroit’s well-documented blight and de-population,” reads the Indiegogo page. “It turns perceived liabilities into assets that will bring a renewed vitality to a struggling neighborhood.”According to Digital Trends, the way the theme park would work would be like a giant game. Players would run and hide from zombies, try to find food and supplies and try to find other survivors. Each player would wear a certain number of patches, which would get torn off one by one during each zombie encounter. Once all the patches were gone, the player would join the zombie team. Zombies could also be eliminated once their patches were ripped off, and there would be opportunities to collect extra patches during the game.

At this point, Siwak is just trying to collect initial funding for the concept. The goal is to raise $145,000 by August 25, 2012, at 11:59 p.m. Currently, the project has raised $8,106. To donate click here. To learn more about the project, check out the video above.