North Korea Builds Ski Resort To Rival 2018 Winter Olympics

by Libby Zay on

Nuclear missiles aren’t the only thing being built in North Korea that have made headlines lately; it seems dictator Kim Jong-un has also ordered construction on a ski resort that will rival the facilities being built in South Korea to host the 2018 Winter Olympic Games, news.com.au reports.

According to multiple reports citing North Korean state media, the dictator predicts a “skiing wave will seize the country” and has ordered construction on a “world-class” ski resort with beginner, intermediate and advanced tracks, plus a hotel, cable cars, equipment shops and more. He has also ordered the domestic production of ski equipment and clothing.

Jong-un’s orders came shortly after the 2011 announcement that the South Korean city of Pyeongchang will host of the 2018 Winter Olympics. When the 1988 Summer Olympics were held in Seoul, South Korea, the neighbor to the north boycotted the games – but no official announcement has been made on the 2018 Winter Olympics. Although the new resort is slated to be a “world-class” attraction, it’s not likely very much of the world will get to experience the North Korean slopes – tourism in the country is strictly controlled by several state-owned tourism bureaus.

‘The Simpsons’ Finds Home At New Universal Studios Theme Park

by Libby Zay on

There’s a recurring joke throughout “The Simpsons” about where, exactly, the fictional town of Springfield is located. The exact location is still a mystery, but it looks like the animated series will soon find a real-life home in Orlando, Florida. Universal Studios has plans to bring the cartoon to life at a new section of the theme park opening this summer.

According to a press release from Universal, Springfield will be anchored by The Simpsons Ride, an attraction that opened in 2008. Around the ride, guests will be able to walk the streets of Springfield, complete with a Simpsons-inspired Fast Food Boulevard, where guests can dine on sandwiches at Krusty Burger or throw back a Duff Beer at Moe’s Tavern. Besides the boulevard, a new attraction called Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl will take “foolish humans” on an intergalactic spin.

Although the exact geography of the Simpsons will likely remain a highly debated mystery amongst die-hard fans, this new theme park will likely become a new pilgrimage spot for fans of the animated series.

[via news.com.au]

New York ‘Ghetto Tours’ Canceled After Neighborhood Backlash

by Libby Zay on

After protests from neighborhood residents and representatives, a New York company offering “ghetto tours” of New York has ceased all sightseeing offerings. According to news.com.au, Real Bronx Tours allowed outsiders to gawk at life in the South Bronx “from a safe distance,” taking them past housing projects and food pantry lines on three weekly tours.

The news outlet reports that Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and City Councilwoman Melissa Mark-Viverito sent an open letter to the company owner saying they were “sickened by the despicable way” the borough was being portrayed and urging the company to stop profiting off of a tour itinerary that “misrepresents the Bronx as a haven for poverty and crime.”

The company has since ceased operations, and has even taken down their website. However, those looking to make a pilgrimage to the South Bronx still have tour options – including one offered by resident and anthropologist Elena Martinez, who proudly shows off the neighborhood that was once a microcosm for hip-hop music, fashion and art, through City Lore.

Delta Opens Terminal 4 At New York’s JFK (VIDEO)

by Libby Zay on

Things are looking up for those traveling through New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport on Delta Air Lines. After years of planning, and as part of a $1.4 billion investment, the carrier and partners opened a shiny new terminal today.

Under the 360,000-square-foot expansion, Delta says that the company not only renovated check-in areas and other facilities, but also added nine new gates, new retail and dining offerings, a 24,000-square-foot Delta Sky Club with a rooftop terrace and an improved baggage handling system. In addition to the expansion opening today, a second phase of redevelopment will bring 11 more gates, upping the total number to 27 upon completion in summer 2015.

The renovated terminal primes Delta to take (even more) advantage of the largest hub of aviation activity in the United States, New York. Delta says the company provides service to more destinations from New York than any other airline, and is also investing more than $160 million to expand and update their terminals at LaGuardia Airport.

To get a better look at JFK’s Terminal 4, check out the video after the jump.

Prague Will Introduce ‘Singles Only’ Dating Cars On Subway

by Libby Zay on

Riding the rails through Europe is an often-romanticized journey – unless, of course, you’re referring to a subway system. In that case, the only time people bump into each other tends to cause annoyance, with most choosing to sit alone and stare at a book or advertisement in a desperate attempt to avoid eye contact with fellow travelers (not to mention buskers).

But an initiative by the Prague public transport system intends to change the way people feel about getting from here to there by introducing singles-only “love trains,” Spiegel Online is reporting. A spokesman for Ropid, the city’s public transport authority, told the news outlet the initiative is part of a long-term campaign that aims to bring to light activities you can do while riding public transport that you cannot do inside your car (like reading or playing games on your cellphone … or in this case, getting to know a complete stranger). Ropid plans to work with dating agencies to help facilitate the program, which will only operate on nights and weekends – cause as GOOD points out, you don’t want to risk running into Mr. Right before you’ve had your morning coffee.

[via GOOD]