New York has yellow cabs. Bangkok has tuk-tuks. And Mijas, Spain has extravagantly-decorated burros.
Is it just a way to entice money from tourists? Maybe. But it’s still totally cool.
Infant Fights Cobra in Bizarre Indian Ritual
Think you’ve seen it all? The video above shows a one-year-old baby “fighting” a de-fanged cobra snake in a bizarre right-of-passage for the young Indian child. And by “fighting” I’m sure they mean “just laying there while a friggin’ snake tries to sink its fangs into his head.”
“This bizarre spectator sport – reportedly from Kasimkota in Andhra Pradesh – has been condemned by animal rights protesters after footage appeared on the internet,” according to an article in the Daily Mail. Apparently a cobra’s fangs can grow back before the “fight” is over, and the babies are put in danger of being bitten by one of the most dangerous and poisonous snakes in the world.
Please tell me this is an isolated case.
Video: Hindenburg Disaster
Monday morning seems like as good a time as any to discuss a disaster.
The Hindenburg was meant to be one of a fleet of “flying hotels,” noted for their luxury and speed. During its first year of commercial operation, the Hindenburg — at 804, feet, the largest aircraft ever built — transported 2798 passengers across 191,583 miles and completed 17 round-trips across the Atlantic Ocean. However, on May 6, 1937, the hydrogen-filled, duralumin-skinned balloon crashed and burned in Lakehurst, New Jersey, killing 13 passengers and 22 crew died — most of whom died from leaping from the burning ship. One member of the ground crew died also. Though there are many theories as to what made the dirigible explode, none have been confirmed.
Here is a short clip of Herbert Morrison’s on-the-scene account of the crash. Listen to his voice as he narrates the action on-site, his plaintive cry crescendoing with the words, “I can’t talk ladies and gentlemen…”
[Via Digg]
Hit the Open Road
Doug McConnell is an expert on exploring the back roads of the American West. Now, he wants to help you — and have you help him — search for adventure in the region. To that end, McConnell recently launched OpenRoad.TV, a traveler’s guide to the American West.
To begin, McConnell pre-loaded the site with much of the video, photos, and insights that he’s compiled over the past 14 years of producing and hosting Bay Area Backroads. Now, it’s your turn to add your own stories, photographs, and videos — like Tina Martinez’s descriptive Moab Motorcycle Touring or Bill Buchanan’s adventurous Dances With Orcas.
In short, the site aims to be a comprehensive resource for people who want to explore, share, and celebrate the American West. Personally, since I couldn’t live much further from that part of the country and still be IN the country, I really enjoyed my virtual tour through the area.
Now I just need to get out there, shoot some video of my own, and add it to the site. Maybe this summer I can hit the open road.
Travelers who Take Their Talents On the Road
Some folks, like Gadling’s own Ember Swift who is currently in China combining her life as a musician with her passion for travel, have talents that help get them overseas and maximize their experiences. Ember is writing about her high and low points in a series named A Canadian in Bejing.
Not only is using talents a way to see the world, but it’s the chance to connect in ways that are creatively, and perhaps, professionally pleasing. Andrew Mendelson, for example, used his Sitar playing to get him to India. This movie, “The Cricket in the Court of Akbar” shows him getting ready for the largest music competition in Rajasthan. This is more than just Andrew playing. There are also Interviews with various people who talk about Sitar music, the competition and what Andrew is up against. This video made me think that perhaps I ought to have actually practiced the flute more.