A list of intriguing things
One: Every year, Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs in Canada hosts a hair-freezing contest—where contestants turn their lush locks into icicle art. And it takes some work:
It turns out there’s a science to making strands of hair look like frosty ramen noodles. Participants dip their heads underwater, emerge into the frigid air, then employ their creativity in styling updos that vary in appearance, including crazy spikes and tangled mops.
That kind of creativity requires bone-chilling weather—the magic number being minus 20°C. But climate change is ruining this beloved tradition—as Canadian winters get warmer. FYI: Canada is getting hotter—and faster—than the rest of the world—almost 3X the global average. All the more reason to enjoy this kooky festival while we can! The lead image and the one below offers a taste of the delights that await you at the contest website. (Washington Post)
Two: Imagine you can kiss your bae from far, far away. A Chinese start-up has invented a long-distance kissing machine that allows you to do just that. To use MUA (as in ‘mwah’) aka Long Lost Touch, each person has to own a kissing machine—“a mobile stand with colourless pursed lips protruding from the front.” You pair your device app with the machine—and get kissing! The lips will kiss you right back using data recorded from your partner. FYI, MUA also “captures and replays sound and warms up slightly during kissing, making the experience more authentic.” Sounds lovely except have you seen MUA? Watch the Reuters report (even for 5 secs) to appreciate its awesome creepiness. (The Guardian)
Three: Everyone’s heard of La Tomatina—the annual tomato-soaked celebration in Spain. But the little town of Ivrea in Italy puts on an equally spectacular—and far meaner—‘Battle of the Oranges’ at its annual Carnevale di Ivrea. The warriors (arancieri) don demonic face and body paint to ferociously assault each other with hard-hitting citrus fruit. Let’s just say this quaint tradition isn’t for the faint-hearted. BBC News has an excellent collection of photos—the good and the gory. This guide to Turin has more on the festival. And behold the chaos below:
