Bengaluru, the land of opportunities, good weather and start up companies. It is a place which will speak to you in volumes. A place where the traffic will bother you a bit but at the same time, that is what you’ll miss when you leave. The hustle and bustle will fill you with adrenaline and a sense of the life moving about you. There are many great places here but here are some which are a must visit if you ever visit Bengaluru:-
Bangalore palace
The palace is a splendid example of beautiful architecture and the lavish lifestyle of one of the greatest dynasties of South India. It was built in the year 1878. It is spread across 45000 square feet of area which will take you about a day to cover completely. It is said that the insides of the palace is inspired from the Windsor castle at London. There are many splendidly decorated halls with a touch of colorful tiles and furniture and wooden flooring is some places. The chandeliers just add to the elegance of the castle. There are audio guides which are provided to the tourists which helps them explore the magnificent palace that is filled with many exquisite artifacts.
Cubbon park
This park is the best place for anybody with a keen interest for nature, peace and greenery. It is spread across 300 acres of land. It is great for taking long walks or meditate or just sit around and admire the peace and tranquility. It was originally of about 100 acers but then later extended to 300 acres. It was initially called as Meade’s park but later called cubbon park after Lord Cubbon who laid the foundation of this place. It was built in the year 1870 by Sir John Meade (acting commissioner of Mysore). The park also features a concert stage and the Bangalore aquarium is also situated here, which is the 2nd largest aquarium in India. It is currently under the supervision of the horticulture department. There is also a toy train present there named putani express which is a great way for the visitors to explore the park further.
Bannerghatta national park
This wonderful park is situated at about 23 kilometers from the city center. It is spread across many acres of land. There are jungle safaris available here and there is also a zoo. The jungle safaris are a must as they will fill your soul with adventure and when you go back there will be amazing stories to tell. The tourists are taken in a bus into the jungle where they can spot tigers, lions, bears, elephants and deer and crocodiles among many others. All of these animals are separated by different barriers from each others. The bus will move through each and every part of the jungle, giving you the chance to look at each of these majestic creatures closer than ever before. It is also the home to the first butterfly museum in India. The various flora and fauna in this place just add to the beauty and tranquility there. The average temperature of this place varies from 15 to 35 degree Celsius and an annual rainfall of 700mm.
If you have an interest in planes and how they work then this is THE place for you to be. It is situated in the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited premises it showcases about 3 decades of planes, fighter jets and helicopters. Battle tested aircrafts are put here for display and it is a major tourist attraction because of this very reason. It was inaugurated in 2001 and has been an epitome of fantastic display of many different commercial and fighter aircrafts. He enchantment of this place stays days after you have left. There is a souvenir shop in the compound from where you can purchase model aircrafts and various other gifts. Some planes are taken apart and then kept piece by piece for the tourists to see. Be it the afterburner or the engines or the propellers, it is sure to indulge you in ways you would not believe.
After reading this, do you or do you not wanna visit this place? If yes, have a safe trip!
The world has seen an exponential increase in the number of people vouching for physical fitness in the past decade. If you look up the word “fitness” on Google, you will find around 4 billion search results and hundreds of thousands of equipment and gadgets for sale online. And if you ask around verbally, everyone will give you different advice on how to start working out.
If there are a thousand different diet plans, then there are triple the number of workouts. Now for someone who is just starting out, this can be really intimidating. Physical fitness is so hyped nowadays that if one isn’t careful, they will end up doing something completely different from what they intended to.
I am writing this article because I have personally experienced the enormity of the entire fitness trend. And believe me, an overwhelming amount of information as is available on the internet can do you more harm than good. So if you are a novice too, here are a few things to keep in mind before you start working out-
Have a goal in mind
It is important for you to identify the reason why you want to be fit. Be truthful to yourself as to why you want this. Maybe you want your body to look a certain way, or you want to impress someone. Or maybe you just want to be stronger, or more flexible. The reasons can also go beyond just your body. Maybe you just need a way to release the pent-up energy inside you or relieve yourself of stress.
Figure out YOUR personal reason to go down the fitness road. Even if you are just doing it because others are, admit it to yourself. Your goal will help you tailor your fitness regime. It will help you do exactly what is best suited for your needs. So have a clear picture of your end goal in mind.
Clear your schedule
If you’re committing to working out, then make sure to have no obstacles that stop you from doing so. Clear some space in your daily schedule for your workout session. Adjust your daily workout at some time in the day when you know you will be free. When you do this, you can’t make any excuse to yourself for not working out.
Find a time slot as per your daily routine, and dedicate it to your workout. If you have trouble remembering, put it on your calendar or set an alarm. The key is for you to make working out a habit, just like how you brush your teeth every day. When you do something consistently at the same time, it becomes a habit. And once it becomes a habit, you will never look back from your fitness journey.
Get help from the experienced
This is literally the best thing you can do. When in doubt, seek professional help. You can either seek help from a gym trainer, join a fitness class. There are also a lot of apps available on Play store and iTunes, but they may confuse you since you are just beginning. Ask someone who has been working out for a long time to help you out. Tell them about your goal in the minutest detail, and together tailor out a custom fitness plan for yourself.
The more experienced your advisor, the better it is for you. They will also tell you where you are going wrong and help you correct your techniques. You will not just be saved the trouble of doing the requisite research, but also achieve your goals faster.
Start slow
This point is especially important if you aren’t seeking any professional help. It is important to know your fitness level before starting any workout. You shouldn’t assume that you can do 300-pound deadlifts like your favorite powerlifter on the first day. Take it slow and steady. You may feel bored and want to jump right away to the “cool” stuff, but trust me when I say, don’t. If you do, you will only end up injuring yourself.
Give yourself time to adjust to the workout. Once you are comfortable doing what you are, then go for something more challenging. Get the basic postures and techniques right before trying anything more advanced. The cool stuff that you see on Instagram is done by people who have been working out for years. Gauge your fitness level, and tailor your workouts accordingly to prevent injuries.
Don’t try to show-off
This point is kind of an extension of the above point. Don’t lift heavy weights if you have zero experience with the lighter ones. Similarly, don’t do fancy exercises like pistol squats if you haven’t even perfected your basic squats. Fancy exercises are only done by fitness models and people who need a bigger challenge.
If you have been working out long enough, then go ahead and show off the fancy exercises you can do. But if you are a beginner, just don’t try. You will only end up making a fool of yourself. Commit to your goal, practice the basics to perfection, and then show off.
Don’t neglect nutrition
Nutrition is an extremely important part of any fitness regime. You cannot, just CANNOT exercise away a bad diet. In every fitness regime, workouts account for only 30% of the output. Nutrition is what accounts for the remaining 70%. A common misconception that beginners have is that if they work out, they can eat anything they want. That is NOT true. You need to eat within a caloric range according to your height, weight, and activity level.
Unless you are an athlete or insane, you will not burn more than 500 calories in your workout. So if you are working out and then relishing a couple donuts immediately after, you may just have ruined your workout. Again, if you are not getting enough protein to fuel your workouts, and the right amount of every vitamin and mineral, you may not see results fast enough. So just don’t neglect nutrition. At all.
Be patient
The process of changing your body in any way is not an easy process. There are hundreds of internal mechanisms in play. It also depends on the amount of exertion you put on your body and your nutrition. Don’t think that you will start looking like a model after a few weeks of working out.
Body transformations happen over the course of many months or even years. So if you cannot see any visible progress, don’t be disheartened. It does NOT mean that you are doing something wrong. Just stay committed and be consistent. If you are doing the right workouts, you will surely start seeing progress after a month or two.
A beginner cardio workout
Cardio is generally resented by many because of the muscle loss it causes. However, cardio is your best option if you have a lot of weight to lose. So here are some cardio exercises you can do to shed that fat fast-
Walking- When in doubt, walk. You can burn approximately 200 to 350 calories per hour just by walking. Many professional lifters and fitness trainers also walk a lot every day to burn calories and get their cardio of the day done.
Skip rope– This is one of the most calorie-torching cardio exercises. Just 15 minutes of skipping can burn more than 200 calories. So do, DO give it a try.
Running– If you feel like walking isn’t good enough, go for a run. It will burn twice the amount of calories and even strengthen your legs. However, be careful because running directly impacts your joints and can cause injury if you run too hard.
HIIT– High-Intensity Interval Training is an all-time favorite with the fitness freaks of the world. It burns way more calories than regular cardio, and keeps them burning till after you stop working out. HIIT sessions are short but extremely effective, and they don’t cause muscle loss. So do give it a try.
Sports– Take up any sport at a local stadium, club, or your school/college (if you are a student). Sports are fun, and they are a great way to burn calories without feeling bored. It will also boost your social life, so yay!
Dancing– This is another fun way to burn calories. You can take a dance class, or just put some music on in your room and start moving. Make sure to really tire yourself out and really MOVE. The more you move, the more calories you burn.
A beginner workout for muscle tone
There are a few basic exercises that you will find in every body-sculpting and strengthening fitness regime. So if you just do these exercises with perfect form, you will see great results. Here goes the list-
Upper body
Pushups– This is, no question, one of the best exercises for upper body strength and muscle tone. They target your arms, your chest and your shoulders. And they look easy, but even people who have been working out longer than you have, find them difficult to do.
Tricep dips- These are a seemingly easy yet tough to master exercise. Tricep dips, as the name suggests, target your triceps, and if done with the perfect form, your chest muscles. Everyone struggling with baggy arms, tricep dips are for you.
Bicep curls– Want toned and lean arms? Do these. All you need is a pair of dumbbells or just two filled water bottles. Grab one in each hand, do a few sets, and you will be surprised at how effective such a simple exercise is.
Lower body
Hip thrusts– A strong, shapely pair of glutes isn’t just visually appealing but also essential for back health. And what better way to strengthen them than this awkward yet super effective exercise?
Squats– This popular exercise targets your thighs and your glutes. It’s just like sitting in a chair, except well, there is no chair. Squats are great for lower body toning, and should definitely be included in every fitness regime.
Lunges– They are another effective lower body exercise targeting your glutes and thighs. Combine a squat and a lunge, and you have the perfect move for amazingly toned legs.
Abs
Planks– They are an extremely effective exercise for sculpting rock-hard abs. If you can hold a plank for more than a minute, it signifies insane ab strength. They also target your arms to some extent, especially if you introduce certain variations.
Crunches– They are an amazing ab centric exercise if you are looking for a sculpted stomach. Pair them up with a calorie deficit high protein diet and a proper workout regime, and you have the perfect recipe for amazing ab definition.
I could go on and on, but these are the best exercises in the market, sufficient for muscle tone. You can make them more challenging by adding weights for greater resistance or doing some “fancy” variations.
Now that you have enough material, get off your couch and start working out!
Are you a student who’s curious to plan a trip for the long weekend? Or are you a family person who’s planning a peaceful trip for family? If yes, then you’re at the right place.
Kodaikanal comes as one of the most beautiful cities to be visited in South India. It is known to be the “Princess of Hill Stations”, and the most appropriate place to spend a weekend with abundance of peace and low cost. The city is situated in the Dindigul district in the state of Tamil Nadu. Kodaikanal has various sightseeing places, but the best option of stay will be the city of Vattakanal. It is approximately situated at a distance of 5.7 kms.
Tourists can travel from Vattakanal to Kodaikanal for sight seeing and trekking. Restaurants are available which provide 24×7 services both in Kodaikanal and Vattakanal. So for the foodies out there, food isn’t an issue when you’re planning of boosting yourself with meals at regular intervals.
Kodaikanal has a few grand common attractions which are delighted in by its guests and make it a famous sentimental goal for tourists. Numerous youngsters want bicycle treks and recreation. It is likewise well known for it’s home made chocolates and eucalyptus oil.
These are portrayed arranged by separation from the transport stand.
Upper lake see in Kodaikanal:
Kodaikanal Lake is a fake, generally star-molded. It is Kodaikanal’s most prominent geographic milestone and vacation spot. Rowboats and paddle boats can be rented at the Kodaikanal Boat Club. Horses, bicycles and bikes can be rented alongside the lake for brief periods.
Sight seeing places include:
Bryant Park:
Is situated at the east of the lake and 500 meters away from the transport stand. It has 325 different types of trees, bushes, and desert plants, the recreation center is a rainbow of blooms amid the pinnacle season. A huge area is committed to almost 740 types of roses. There are found to be a variety of 1857 eucalyptus trees and a Bodhi tree which adds a religious centrality to the recreation center. Decorative plants are developed in a nursery available to be purchased. The recreation center arranges agricultural displays and blossom demonstrates each late spring, to match with the pinnacle season.
Coaker’s Walk
It is situated 500 meters from the transport stand. On a sunny morning, one can see similar to Dolphin’s Nose in the south, the valley of the Pambar River in the southeast, Periyakulam town and even the city of Madurai. There is an observatory with a telescope most of the way along the walk. The extra charge to the walkway is superficial and it is open all year.
Kudhanthai Velappar Temple
This temple is situated in the Poombarai village which is 15 kilometres from the bus stand. The village is a reserve forest and temple is of Lord Muruga.
Green Valley View
It was earlier known as the suicide point. 5.5 kilometres from the bus-stand and near the golf course, has a panoramic view of the plains and a sheer drop of 1,500 metres overlooking the Vaigai Dam to the south. The stairway is highly commercialised and lined with rows of shops to tempt tourists.
Shembaganur Museum of Natural History
6 kilometers from the transport stand, is available to people in general except for the Tuesdays for surveying an excess of 500 types of creatures, winged animals and bugs and a living gathering of more than 300 fascinating orchid species. The historical center is associated with Loyola College in Chennai and displays antiquities of the antiquated Palaiyar clans individuals whose relatives still live in these slopes.
Dolphin’s Nose
8 kilometres from the bus stand, is a flat rock projecting over a chasm 6,600 feet deep. It is an undisturbed area 1 kilometer down a steep rocky trail beginning soon after Pambar Bridge. The old village of Vellagavi can be reached through a rugged bridle path here. A short paved walkway leads from the road here to Pambar Falls.
Berijam Lake
The lake is found essentially at a separation of around 20 km from Kodaikanal. The passage is limited to the Berijam Lake region between 9.30 a.m. also, 3 p.m. Buffalo, deer, jaguars and snakes are frequently seen here. The fire tower, Silent Valley, Medicine Forest, and Lake View are different attractions around the lake.
Boating in Kodaikanal Lake: To go into the Berijam Lake consent must be acquired from the Forest Department. Generally they give authorization around 8 a.m. consistently with the exception of Tuesdays. They offer consent to around 80 to 100 vehicles for every day and gather a passage expense of around Rs.150 relying on the vehicle.
Kodaikanal Solar Observatory
The Kodaikanal Terrestrial Telescope can see an excellent scene including Sothupparai Dam, Vaigai Dam, Periyakulam and Varaha waterway. There is a stargazing gallery and sky seeing is offered.
Pillar Rocks
8 kilometers from the transport stand, are three mammoth shake columns which stand 122 meters high. Managed by the Tamil Nadu Forest Department. There is a great open garden nearby the perspective.
Guna caves
There are numerous bats hanging in loads between the three massive stones that are the Pillar Rocks. These perilous caves are closed now in order to ensure the safety of the sightseers, and sightseers can see areas of the buckle framework from afar.
Japan is the “Joy of Art that Praises Aspirants Now and then. The abbreviation itself is very interesting. If we move further Japan is one of the principled country. Even though it is called as Land of natural disasters, has a beautiful history about religion, culture and discipline.
We can say Japan is equivalent to India in terms of temples and its culture. Overall we have seven wonders of the world. But if we take only Japan, has eight beautiful wonders which are located in Mount Koya.
Through this, we can understand Japan is also one of the powerful and popular countries in the world. The Japanese are popular for their working style and the principles they adopted.
The countries tales of Japan will of now. It is gifted one by one in this Christmas season.
Mount Koya
Let’s start off with an interesting abbreviation of KOYA “Kick Off Young Aspirants.”
The abbreviation is very interesting. If we consider Koya as a place, A very attractive mountain which is also called as huge temple settlement in Wakayama prefecture to the south of Osaka.
Mount Koya is the center of Shingon Buddhism.
The top attractions at Mount Koya:-
Temple Lodging
Okunoin Temple
Kongobuji Temple
Garan
Reihokan Museum
Pilgrimage Trails
Daishi Kyokai
Tokugawa Mausoleum
Temple Lodging
Temple Lodging is also called as shukubo. Some temples are very popular for its lodging facility for the people who are visiting pilgrims and tourists.
Temple lodgings is a place with a traditional lifestyle where Buddhist monks stay. It is also called the place of simplicity.
The typical cost of lodging will be between 9000 yen and 15000yen which includes dinner and breakfast.
Okunoin Temple
Okunoin Temple is the center for eternal meditation which was started in memory of Shingon Buddhism who is one of the most revered people in the religious history.
This is one of the most beautiful natural places in Japan. It can be also called Unusual Place in Japan. It is an eternal meditation center.
Kongubuji Temple
Kongubuji Temple was originally constructed in the year 1853. It is one of the popular temples in Mount Koya. This place has a very interesting background and many attractive spots like
Ohiroma Temple
William Room
Jodannoma Audience Room
Kongobuji Kitchen
Each and every spot has its own significance like William room, it is a place where Toyotomi Hidetsugu has committed ritual suicide. Kongobuji Kitchen where they can serve around 2000 people. Jodannoma Audience Room which was used for receiving the dignitaries.
Garan
Imagine Garan as a Job Description which explains Gather Actual Requirement, Analyse and Notes it. But unfortunately, It’s a place which Gains Attraction Remains Always New.
Now let’s travel to recreate the joy all around. Garan has two prominent places the Kondo hall and the huge Konpon Daito Pagoda.
The Kondo Hall is a large wooden temple where ceremonies are held. The huge Konpon Daito Pagoda is a 45-meter tall two-tiered tahoto style pagoda.
Reihokan Museum
A museum can make wonders with remembrance and memories with photographs. This museum is like a pilgrimage for religious and cultural treasures of koyasan.
This museum has thousands of religious works which includes paintings and tools. Sometimes it displays a seasonal collection.
Pilgrimage Trails
This is a very popular destination for centuries. Koyasan is connected to the outside world for visitors who prefer the traditional approach. And there is a cable car facility these days to enter the mountain. Pilgrimage Trails might be historic but the tradition is still followed and exists.
The main approach to koyasan begins at kudoyama station. The Koyasan is a place which represents the five elements of Buddhist elements earth, fire, water, air, and void.
The various pilgrim trails are
koyasan
Choishi
Kanji
Kami-kosawa
Daimon gate
Daishi Kyokai
We can consider Japan has the temple country in the world. Daishi Kyokai is one of the temples in Mount Koya, Japan. It is the administrative center of Shingon Buddhism.
This temple complex consists of two buildings:- Henjoden which was dedicated to Kobo Daishi.
Henjoden was built in the year 1915 and an English administrative desk is available in the building.
There are few activities that are conducted in Daishi kyokai. Visitors can also participate in those activities such as receiving the Buddhist precepts, copying Buddhist scriptures and many more.
Receiving Buddhist Percepts is also called as Jukai. This is a formal ceremony where anyone can receive jukai. It takes place in a very dark room adjacent to Henjoden main hall.
Daishi also offers the facility of Sutra Copying. It is also known as copying Buddhist Scriptures. Participants are given a sheet of paper with the popular heart sutra
Tokugawa Mausoleum
This temple was built in the year 1643. It was built by Tokugawa Shogun. It consists of two buildings which enshrine Iemitsu’s grandfather leyasu and father Hidetada, the first two Tokugawa Shogun.
To complete those two buildings it took more than twenty years because it was built in an extravagant style.
Numerous Mausoleums were built by Tokugawa leyasu and his descendants. The most popular among them is Nikko’s Toshagu Shrine.
In the Japanese Language, that period was called as Edo Period.
Haiku Stairs in Oahu, Hawaii
Haiku Stairs as a person says How Am I? Kindly Understand Some Things Attract Instantly and we React Simply. Through this we can understand Haiku Stairs at Oahu is one of the most attractive places which makes people react and make a remembrance.
Haiku Stairs is also known as Stairway to Heaven. Heaven is nothing but the beauty of nature. When two persons visit the place together and spend time.
Haiku Stairs is one of the wonders of the world. An unrevealed fact since long and now this place is also one of the treasures of life. This shows it beauty with mountains, bridge, fog in the mornings and mountains covered with clouds. This place can be considered as the place of natural graphics without any tools.
This place has 3922 stairs and was originally built in the year 1942 that’s before independence by US Navy. These stairs were used as a secret facility for transmitting radio signals to ships that sail in the Pacific Ocean.
Haiku Stairs has a navy background but yet it stands to be one of the wonders of the world. This place can be also called as Place of Thrill but never a Place of Romance for lovers but a great place for photography.
In the past Haiku Stairs is one of the spots for Valentine Weekend but unfortunately, a huge storm swept away all the beauty hence this place named as the stairway for heaven.
“For any place or person, there are two sides one is the brighter side and the darker side. Our world shows beauty with disasters but disasters welcome sorrow in many lives. That’s the bitter truth which a person cannot digest.
Stairway for Heaven means “Maybe gone forever”.
Hitachi Seaside Park in Ibaraki, Japan
Is Hitachi a brand? Is Hitachi a person? Now let us imagine Hitachi as a person if we spilt the word it will be Hit A Chicken yummy right!!
If Hitachi is a brand, then we come across all Electronics like a refrigerator, washing machines and many more.
But now Hitachi is a place, let’s see the complete name “Hitachi Seaside Park”. The name is quite interesting and it is a coastal park. We can say that Japan is popular for its nature and the beauty that is gifted by it.
There are a wide variety of flowers which attracts a huge crowd. This place can be best visited in the mornings and evenings that is when nature gifts a refreshing breeze which blows through flowers and fills the day with a lot of happiness.
This place incorporates a unique natural environment of sand dunes, grasslands, forests, and springs. It is like an amusement park without adventure but with colorful flowers and grasses throughout four seasons. This park is located on the Pacific ocean side. It is a very spacious park.
It has numerous other attractions like an amusement park, surrounding track and an athletic field. There are many cafes and restaurants.
Kochia Carnival is one of the most popular events that happened in the seaside park of Japan. The kochia hill at Hitachi Seaside Park displays 32000 kochia balls making amazing scenery.
Conclusion
The places which are been described are very Spiritual and surrounded by nature. Nature consists of flowers and the beauty of the place. Moments you spend in those places will be of great experience and memories can be in the form of gift. Gift yourself the peace, harmony ,smile,happiness and many more which can be carry forward throughout your life.
These places can be considered as the learning centers for the visitors and the Buddhist monks.
It is very important to know the history of every country. This symbolizes how open-minded a person is to accept and define the importance of every place. How fast he is adopted to the culture of that country. How interactive he is with the people. There are many more learnings and takeaways as we move on.
You don’t need to be rich to look expensive and polished all the time. All that you need, is a little makeover of your wardrobe, and some creativity. The secret to looking good is learning how to pair up your limited outfits in the best possible manner. Once you master this art, you will always look polished, pretty, put together, and expensive.
However, if you need some guidance, here are a few tips as to how you can look Look Posh and Expensive all the time
Correct your posture
How do you feel when you wear an outfit that is expensive and makes you look good? You feel beautiful, confident, and you want to show yourself off. When you feel this way, you stand straight and tall, so that everyone sits up and takes notice of you. You need to feel this way with every outfit that you wear, to make it look expensive and elegant.
Work on your posture. Keep your back straight, shoulders relaxed but erect, chest forward and chin high. Walk with a confident stride and with your head high and don’t ever slouch. Have a confident, approachable body language at all times. When you feel confident and hold yourself confidently, you will look expensive and elegant without having to wear costly clothes.
Take a shower
The first step to looking good is personal hygiene and cleanliness. You cannot expect to look high maintenance if you are sporting a dirty neck all the time. Focus on personal hygiene and staying clean at all times. Take a shower once every day with a mild soap/shower gel and water. Wash your face and neck with a good face wash.
Make sure to use products that are suitable for your skin type. If you have acne prone skin use gel based or herbal products. Similarly, if you have dry skin use products having moisturizing ingredients. After taking a shower, moisturize your skin with a good body lotion to make your skin look fresh and supple. You don’t need to do much, just stay clean and fresh all the time.
Launder and iron your clothes
You can never look high maintenance if your clothes are wrinkled and dirty. Even the most expensive clothes look cheap when dirty or creased. On the other hand, even a shirt bought on clearance sale can look expensive if it’s laundered and wrinkle-free. You need to take care of your clothes to make them look good on you.
A laundering tip- do not wash your woolens with the same detergent as your summer clothes. Invest in detergents specially formulated for woolen clothing. Also, make sure to read the tiny labels on clothes that have information about ironing and laundering the material. Follow the instructions carefully. If a label advises you against washing the garment, do not wash it.
Laundering tip 2- wash your whites separately from your brightly colored clothes. Even if you are convinced that the colors won’t wash off your garment, don’t take the risk.
Get a flattering haircut
Your hair is one of the most prominent features of your body. If your hair is unkempt, dirty, or unstyled, it can ruin the best of outfits. Expensive people give a lot of attention to what their hair looks like. You don’t need to go all out and change the structure of your hair altogether though. Hair styling can damage your hair, and also cost you a great deal. So just oil it on a regular basis, and wash your hair every 2-3 days with a mild enriching shampoo.
Get a new haircut to give your style an extra oomph. Figure out a hairstyle that flatters your face and looks elegant on you. A good hairstyle can go a long way to alter your entire demeanour and make you look expensive. But just make sure, be subtle, and don’t go overboard.
Keep your makeup subtle
Expensive people are never gaudy. They have an understated and subtle style that is elegant without being too flashy or ostentatious. This especially applies to the makeup they wear. Too much makeup can make you come across as cheap or as an attention seeker to people. So put just enough makeup to cover up your flaws and play up your assets. Give preference to subtle, neutral shades over brighter shades of eyeshadow and lipstick. Use the right shade of foundation and face powder for your skin depending on your complexion. Also, use makeup appropriate to the time of the day and the occasion you are using it for.
And if you are too confused about what to do, then just go natural and makeup free. Some moisturizer and a tinted lip balm is a great alternative too.
Have a signature scent
Invest in one good perfume that describes you best. No no, perfumes aren’t manufactured based on human personalities. Just find a perfume that appeals the most to you, and stick to it. Every expensive person has a signature scent that becomes synonymous with their personality. It is important for you to smell good at all times, but to go the extra mile, stick to just one fragrance. Wear this particular fragrance at all times and let it become part of your identity. A signature scent makes it easier for people to remember you. And well, expensive people NEVER die in oblivion.
Wear a classic wristwatch
Yes, one classic wristwatch. You will never see an expensive person without a wristwatch. Expensive people value their time a lot- this is what has made them who they are today. So invest in one good wristwatch. Again, it doesn’t actually have to be expensive. It just needs to look classy and expensive, no matter what the price. Try going for watches with metal straps and plain dials, as they are timeless. (Did I just make a pun there?)
Colors like silver, black, gold and rose gold are your go-tos as these never go out of fashion. They are also the classiest and most elegant colors out there, so please, please try them out. If you are not fond of metal though, you can always go for other kinds of watches. It should just be classy, elegant, and something you will not be ashamed of wearing 10 years from now.
Invest in some timeless pieces
Make sure to have a few wardrobe essentials that will save you at all times. You don’t need to buy a full store out. All you need is to have a few timeless pieces that look good, and which go with everything else in your wardrobe. Invest in a good pair of sunglasses, one good handbag, one good dress and one good pair of shoes. Go for the classics, and trust me, black and white are two colors that will never let you down.
Try to recreate your wardrobe in such a way that most of the clothes can be mix-and-matched according to the occasion. Buy things that never go out of fashion. These clothes will be the pride of your wardrobe, and will always ensure that you look elegant, polished, and expensive.
Basic over Printed
Have you ever seen rich people wear t-shirts with quotes or multicolored print on them? No, because if there’s one (inexplicable) thing about expensive people, that is that they love being basic. All the time. A reason behind this may be that printed clothing isn’t appropriate in all situations. But solid, basic colored clothing is appropriate in all occasions- casual, formal or social.
Basic colored clothing is also easier to mix and match. So all you have to do is discard the prints and go basic. Go for classic colors like black, white, beige and burgundy because these colors are evergreen and will instantly upgrade your entire look. And when in doubt about mix and match- go monochrome. Make everything that you wear the same color- shoes, clothing, accessories, everything. This is another style that many fashion icons are adopting nowadays, so you can’t go wrong with going monochrome.
Avoid gaudy outfits and accessories
I can’t emphasize enough on the importance of subtlety. The key to standing out and looking expensive is to be subtle and let your demeanor speak for itself. It’s not about the clothes that you wear, but what they tell others about who you are. Expensive people are classy and elegant, and they don’t like to kiss and tell. They know that they are amazing so they don’t need attention-grabbing outfits to have others take notice of them.
When you avoid gaudiness, the focus isn’t on your outfit anymore. It’s on you, and your personality. Let your personality speak for itself, and how you can sport simple clothing and make it look expensive.
I’ll say this again what you wear does not define your status or your personality. Its the way you carry yourself that makes people sit up and take notice. So don’t be conscious of yourself just because you aren’t as rich or good-looking as your peers. Take care of yourself, be the best version of yourself, and be comfortable in your own skin. If you are confident about yourself, and if you feel elegant, everyone else will too. So be proud of yourself, because you literally are the best!
The transition from school to college can be drastic. You suddenly get a lot of freedom to dictate your life and be your own master. No curfews by parents, flexible class schedules, and the freedom to spend money how you want to. However, this newfound freedom can carve a big hole in your wallet if you’re not careful.
Money management is a skill that will help you everywhere in life. And the best place to start is in college because that’s where you realize its importance the most. Partying every day, paying for extras you can afford but don’t need can deplete your resources faster than you can say “wait!”
Being a student is tiring, and expensive. So here are a few ways you can use money management skills to save money as a college student-
Start budgeting
If you don’t know how to make a budget plan, learn now. Budgeting is the simple act of keeping aside fixed amounts of money for every aspect of expenditure and savings. If you want to manage your expenses, start planning them beforehand. Set aside some money for expenditure on food, some for books and stationery, some for social life, and the rest in a piggy bank. Be strict with yourself and stick to the limits you have set for yourself.
You can download apps on your smartphone, or write down your daily, weekly, or monthly budget in a notebook. How you do it is your choice, just make sure to stick to it.
Have two bank accounts
This is a great way to save money, one that I personally recommend. Keep aside some money in one account, and use the other account for your expenditures. If you cannot trust yourself to stay away from the savings account, then get the debit card of that account blocked. I know it seems to be a little too much, but personally, this has helped me save a lot of money. So make sure to give it a try.
If you don’t want to block the debit card, set a high bank balance limit on the account. This way, some money will always be there in the savings account.
Get your allowance at a fixed time
Ask your parents or guardians to send you your allowance at fixed intervals of time. They may send your allowance once per month or once per week. But they should send it at fixed intervals, say on the same day every month. Tell them to only send the allowance on that day, and on no other day except if it’s an emergency.
Do this, instead of asking them for money whenever you want it. This will help you manage your money better, and save your parents’ hard-earned money from being spent on frivolity.
Make judicious use of campus facilities
Every college has certain facilities that students tend to neglect because it’s not “cool”. Well, unnecessary expenditure isn’t very cool either, so start making use of your college facilities. Drop that expensive gym membership and join your college gym/fitness club, which is generally free for students.
Most colleges also have cafes and food outlets that give a discount to students. Use these for your food cravings. Get a free membership of your campus library instead of an expensive one in some outside library. Use the campus conveyance to travel around instead of your high maintenance car/two-wheeler.
Skip the junk food
Let’s get this straight, nothing good has ever come out of eating junk. It’s neither good for your health, nor your wealth. So just skip it. Avoid it like the plague. Start making healthier choices. You don’t have to buy a trolley filled with Doritos and Oreos everytime you go to a grocery store.
If you are really craving a “junk” food, buy just that one item, and run out of there. Healthy food items like milk, fruit, veggies, and meat are cheaper than your pizzas and cheeseburgers. So make healthier choices (and cheaper ones!)
Buy stuff second-hand
You don’t need brand new things for survival in college. Second-hand things will suffice, even if they are a little unsightly. Course books in college are generally quite expensive, so try to get a second-hand copy from somewhere. It’ll be even better if you can find a free PDF for the book online or a cheap ebook.
Don’t waste money buying brand new things that you’ll only use for one semester. Save money on books and other such things, and buy things second hand wherever possible.
Pool your resources wherever possible
Ordering pizza? Share the bill (and the pizza) with a friend. Similarly, always go partying with a group of friends. Pooling your resources is a great way to cut down on your personal expenditure without too much compromise.
Learn how to pool your resources with others, and save the per head cost of whatever you are doing. Even when you are traveling somewhere, go with people, or in a carpool. If you book a cab with two people rather than alone, you will save two-thirds on the per-head cost. Sharing is caring, not just for others, but also for your wallet.
Learn how to say “no”
It is easy to be swayed under peer pressure in college to do something you don’t want to. But if you are only spending money to gratify your friends or look cool, you are just being a douche. Know it, process it, absorb it, and engrave it in your brain. You need to keep your priorities at the top and say no when necessary.
Stop spending money on things you don’t really want to take part in. If someone is forcing you, or pressuring you, tell them no. You don’t have to be rude, just forceful and persuasive enough to make the person stop. Stand your ground, and don’t get swayed by others. This may irk or displease the other person, but trust me, that’ll be short-lived. At least, it will be more short-lived than your regret that you spent valuable money on something you didn’t even ask for.
Differentiate between “need” and “want”
There’s a fine line between “need” and “want”. You need to learn how to differentiate between the two if you want to save money. You may want a new flavor of toothpaste, but you may not need it because you have some left. Similarly, you may want new woolen socks, but you may not need them because your old socks are perfectly fine. Do not spend on things you don’t absolutely need.
Learn how to live frugally as a college student. This is an essential life skill and will help you throughout your personal and professional life. You didn’t come to college to live a lavish, comfortable life. So give less priority to your “wants”, and learn how to live within (and below) your means.
Recycle and DIY
Recycle what you can, DIY the rest. Turn your old clothes into new outfits instead of buying something new. You can cut your old jeans and distress them to make shorts or ripped jeans. Try painting your old t-shirts, or stitching/cutting out patterns on it. Don’t spend money on the interior decor of your college room. Just go to Pinterest for ideas and DIY.
You can even use this idea for giving gifts to friends in college. Give them handmade gifts instead of expensive readymade ones. You will not just save money, but also get a lot of praise and appreciation for your creativity. Two birds killed with one stone, much?
Have a reason to save for
When you have a solid reason to save for, it makes money management a lot easier. This last tip is not just for college students, but for everyone else.
Plan a lavish trip with friends, and save for it. Or maybe use a new expensive dress for prom as leverage. Use any excuse available to you as a reason to save some money. Trust me, you will thank yourself for it, even if you don’t end up doing the thing you saved up for.
Money management in college is paramount for your survival. Juggling between priorities is difficult for students because of their busy academic and social lives. College is synonymous with “fun” and “partying”. But all these can take a toll on you if you’re not careful, especially with your wallet. So use these tips to maximize your monetary resources, and start saving!
With winter season also comes the wedding season in India. And of course, no Indian bride’s wedding outfit is complete without gold jewelry. Bangles, necklaces, headbands, waist-bands, anklets; you name it, and you’ll find it in an Indian bride’s wardrobe. Gold necklaces, in particular, are an important part in the Indian solah-shringar. They are the main focus of the bride’s wedding repertoire. A good necklace can make even the most boring wedding outfit a fashion statement.
However, Indian jewelry can be confusing. The number of necklace designs available in our country is astonishing. Long necklaces, short necklaces, wide-band, narrow-band; each category of necklaces has a huge number of subcategories. You can even customize your own wedding necklace these days.
If you wish to be married the traditional way though, you should be familiar with the traditional Indian gold jewelry. A mind-boggling variety of necklaces are available in the market. And it can put you in an incurable dilemma if you haven’t done thorough research beforehand. So if you’re planning to go wedding shopping, you should definitely give this article a read. You should be properly familiar with the kinds of designs of bridal gold necklaces to make the right choice for yourself.
So here I have listed some of the most popular necklace designs that you can shop to wear at your wedding this season-
Gulbandh
Source: happywedding.life
This is the quintessential Indian necklace design, one you often get to see in TV serials. It is also called the “Princess necklace” because of its quaint craftsmanship. It generally has pearls dangling from its base and sometimes has diamonds embedded on it. Gulbandh is especially a good choice if your wedding dress is already very embroidered and extravagant. This necklace best compliments blouses with closed, high necklines. So go for this necklace if you want to look regal without being too gaudy.
Rani Haar
Source: truesouljah.com
If you have seen Jodha-Akbar, then you probably are familiar with this kind of necklace. Aishwarya Rai made this necklace popular by beautifully sporting it in her role of a Rajput princess in the movie. This queenly necklace is long, which gives it a regal look. Rani haars usually comprise of long chains (single or multiple) of gold with a heavy gold locket at the end studded with pearls and gemstones. These necklaces look best when paired with another necklace- especially chokers or collar necklaces. A Rani Haar is a popular choice to jazz up any plain wedding attire and is a typical attention-grabbing wedding ornament.
Choker
Source: Pinterest
A choker necklace looks exactly like a choker, just that it’s made of gold. You can get this necklace in varying widths and sizes. Choker necklaces look great with all kinds of wedding outfits, be it a traditional lehenga or an indo-western outfit. These necklaces go well with both high neck blouses and low-cut blouses. There are many varieties of choker necklaces in the Indian market. A Persian choker necklace has strings of pearls dangling from it, while a Jadvi laccha choker has precious stones embedded on it. This is a great choice if you are going for a slightly modernized version of an Indian wedding.
Bib Necklace
Source: beyondtherack.com
It is named so because it resembles a baby’s bib. A bib necklace covers almost the entire area from your collarbone to your chest and is often quite heavy. This necklace may be purely made of gold, or embellished with precious stones or pearls. You can opt for this design if you are planning to wear a blouse with a low neckline, or if the rest of your attire is not too flashy. A bib necklace, again, is one of the more modernized necklace designs in the Indian jewelry market. These necklaces are also the most easily customizable (don’t ask me why), so win-win for you!
Collar Necklace
Source: ebay.in
This necklace is like a combination of bib and choker necklaces. The necklace starts from or above the collarbone and flares out like an actual collar. These necklaces are generally simpler and more subtle than any other kind of Indian necklaces. But do not be mistaken, they are as quaint, regal, and beautifully crafted as any other traditional wedding jewelry. Their relative simplicity makes collar necklaces are a really good choice if your outfit and other jewelry are flashy. You can flaunt your collar necklace by pairing it with a round neck low-cut blouse.
Aadh Necklace
Source: urbanclap.com
This traditional Rajasthani wedding ornament is truly one of its kind. An Aadh necklace comprises of a choker necklace made with a block of gold with intricate work on it and has strings of golden triangles dangling from it. These necklaces are regal, quaint, traditional, and cover almost the entire neckline. This necklace looks best with blouses having a low-cut square neckline. If you are planning to do a traditional destination wedding at Udaipur (like in Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani), this should be your go-to. So go ahead, sport an Aadh necklace at your wedding, and make a statement as the most beautiful bride anyone will ever see.
Now that you know more about traditional Indian necklace designs, take your pick and get ready to look like a queen on the most special day of your life.
Fashion Industry is one of the most rapidly growing industries. It offers a lot of flamboyant but profitable career options. If you are having a keen interest in fashion industry and you are creative enough to make new innovations and experiments in the field of fashion, then career in the fashion industry is the best option for you.
Career in fashion industry is an extremely popular and lucrative option these days. That’s why, courses related to fashion industry are very high-in-demand. People often believe that modeling is the sole career option available in fashion industry. But this notion is entirely wrong.
In reality, the fashion industry offers a wide range of different career options. For instance, fashion designing, modeling, fashion blogging, make-up artistry, hair styling, fashion magazine editing etc. are some of the career options available in fashion industry. In this article, I will discuss about top three most famous and highly demanded career options related to the fashion industry.
Top career options in Fashion Industry
Fashion Designing
Fashion Designing is an extremely popular and competitive career option these days. It is a perfect and best career option for those who love to sketch, design and create new things. Often people believe that the job of a fashion designer is just all about sketching dresses and other related stuff. But the job of a fashion designer involves much more than sketching.
Apart from sketching, the job of a fashion designer includes doing full fledged research on worldwide fashion and trends and monitoring the changes. The job of a fashion designer involves understanding the demands of clients and then designing and drawing sketches accordingly. After sketching, a designer’s job includes getting the design formed in physical form. If a fashion designer is working on a high level, then his/her job also includes the arrangement of fashion shows as well as the overall styling of models.
Modeling
Modeling is the most common career option which comes to our mind when we hear the name of fashion industry. Modeling is a very well-known career option associated with the fashion industry. It is considered to be the most glamorous and a highly alluring and lucrative career option.
With the rapid growth and development of the fashion industry, the demand of models has increased to a great extent. Models are required everywhere including brand endorsements, fashion shows, TV ads, and so on. The essential requirements in becoming a model are that the person must have an attractive personality, and high level of confidence along with flawless physical features.
Make-Up Artistry
Making a career in make-up artistry is a new yet easy way of coming in limelight in the fashion industry. As its name suggests, make-up artistry is all about applying make-up. It might sound a very easy job. But make-up artistry is a full-fledged art which requires specific specialization in make-up.
Make-up artistry also includes hair styling and overall styling of the body. At some levels, hair styling is considered as a separate career option in fashion industry. It involves the styling of hair as well as head massage, oiling, hair coloring, smoothening, and so on. On a broad level, hair styling also comes under make-up artistry.
It is termed to be the bond of blood or marriage which binds people together and makes them live together. A man is never found to be alone in this world, he’s always surrounded by the people from birth to death. These people either constitute to be his friends, neighbors or his relatives.
Kinship is termed to be a basic social institution and plays a very significant role in the socialization of individuals and maintaining the group solidarity. Kinship often influences an individuals social, economic, political and religious activities.
Types of Kinship
1. Affinial kinship:
This kind of kinship is defined to be the one which exists over a bond of marriage. For instance, the relationship of the groom after marriage with the bride’s family is defined to be one type of affinial kinship. In this kind of kinship, marriage is the host of all the relations which take place.
2. Consanguineous kinship:
This kind of kinship is defined to be the one which exists over a bond of blood. For instance, the bond of kinship which exists between parents and their children and also between siblings is termed to be consanguineous kind of kinship.
Degrees of Kinship
Primary kins: These are the kins which are very close to an individual and very near to him. For example, Father, son, daughter, wife, etc. According to Dr. Dubey, there are 8 primary kins, they are, husband-wife, father-son, mother-daughter, father-daughter, mother-son, younger-elders brothers, young-elder sister, sister-brother.
Secondary kins: These are the primary of primary kins. Related through the primary kins of an individual. For example, Father’s brother, father’s sister, husband’s sister, etc.
Tertiary kins:These are the secondary of the primary kins, so basically primary of secondary. For example, cousin sister, cousin brother.
Kinship terms
Classificatory system: Various kins are often included in 1 category and are referred to by the same term. For example, Uncle, aunt, nephew, etc.
Descriptive system: Only one particular kin is referred to as one particular relation. It describes the exact relation of a person towards another. For example, Father, mother, son, etc
Kin Marriage
Marriages which take place between kins are called kin marriages. For instance, in India, brother’s daughter and sister’s son get married, or a girl even gets married to her maternal uncle. But marriage taking place between siblings are prohibited. Similarly, marriages between children of brother’s and childer of sister’s are prohibited.
Types of Kin marriages
First cousin marriages
Deceased spouse’s marriages
Sibling set exchange marriage
Kinship Usage
Kinship usage is the study of behavioural patterns of different kins. Behaviour of son towards father is that of respect, behaviour of husband towards his wife is that of love, and behaviour of brother towards his sister is that of affection. The kinship usage is divided into two major parts:
Avoidance: In this kind of usage, the two kins should remain away from each other that is as the name suggest avoid each other, not only in terms of sexual relationship, but also avoid seeing each others face. In rural India, a father-in-law usually avoids his daughter-in-law, son-in-law avoids his mother-in-law, etc. A purdah system is used for avoidance.
Joking Relationship: In this kind of kinship, reverse of avoidance takes place. This kind of usage usually permits to tease or make fun of the other. For example, a relation between brother-in-law and sister-in-law. Joking can be termed as abusive and use vulgar reference to sex.
If you are an adventurous foodie, and a travel-lover, then this article is for you. Every travel-holic aspires to make a world trip at least once in their lifetime. Going to exotic places and experiencing exotic cultures seems like the world’s most exciting thing. However, exotic places come with exotic foods and food dishes, not all of which may be pleasant.
So if you are one of those people planning to go on a world trip some day, do proceed. Because here I have compiled a list of the top 10 weirdest foods from across the world that will make you cringe (and maybe gag):
Black pudding (Ireland, Britain)
Home made irish black pudding
This extremely popular dish (deemed a “superfood” by many) is actually the blood of a pig mixed with oatmeal and some fat. All these are mixed and congealed together, then made solid after cooling and cut into pieces.
Black pudding is an extremely popular dish among the British and the Irish. It is high in protein, zinc, and iron, but also high in fat and salt. This food is only weird if you don’t know what it is made of. So if blood makes you squeamish and you are having breakfast in Britain, beware of this pudding.
Hakarl (Iceland)
Source: Wikipedia
Hakarl, in plain English, means fermented shark. It doesn’t sound that bad considering the types of animal meat are consumed around the world. However, you may wince a little after knowing that the meat is toxic and only eaten after letting rot for 2-4 months. Earlier the meat was fermented in a shallow hole dug in gravelly sand, and hung out to dry for another few months afterward. After this process, the brown crust that develops on the meat is removed, and the meat is cut into pieces and served raw. You can now imagine the smell of this delicacy. But you can (if you dare to) find some comfort in the fact that it probably doesn’t taste as bad as it smells.
Century egg (China)
Source: Flickr
The dish is literally its name- a century egg, sometimes also called a thousand-year egg. More precisely, this is an egg that has been preserved for several months in a mixture of clay, salt, and quicklime. In this process, the yolk becomes a cringey dark green and the white turns brown, and the egg acquires a strong flavor.
Generally, duck, chicken, or quail eggs are used for the purpose. The clay preserves the egg, while the salt catalyzes chemical reactions giving it more flavor (and color). Century eggs are generally eaten peeled and cut into pieces, served as a side dish or as a delicacy. You may need to hold your breath to be able to eat it, so beware.
Wasp crackers (Japan)
Source: www.aminoapps.com
Yes, the food is exactly what the heading implies. These crackers look like any typical Japanese rice cracker (called senbei), except that they have wasps embedded in them. The wasps are first boiled in water, then dried and added to the rice cracker mixture. Wasp crackers are quite popular as a snack in some parts of Japan and highly commended for their protein content. (Yes, wasps are really high in protein).
These crackers smell like fish food, but actually taste pretty good, with the cracker taste intact and the wasps tasting like burnt raisins. So you can eat insect body parts without feeling squeamish, go ahead and give them a try!
Bird nest soup (China)
Source: Wikipedia
You may have heard of bird soup, but soup made of a birds’ nest? Not much heard of. No no, this soup is not made of a nest of twigs and leaves. This Chinese delicacy uses nests made out of a bird’s saliva that is dried and hardened.
The swiftlet bird found in China builds its nest out of saliva. These gooey nests are plucked from the sides of the caves where these birds are found and then served boiled, seasoned with herbs and spices. Initially, the nests were just plucked at random, but now swiftlet nests are actually harvested primarily for human consumption.
Birds nest soup is a highly relished delicacy in many countries of South-east Asia, especially China and the Philippines. This food is extremely rare, extremely valuable, surprisingly delicious, and hence highly sought after.
Rocky mountain oysters (West Canada)
Source: Wikipedia
Don’t be fooled by the name, these aren’t actually oysters. Rocky mountain oysters are actually the testicles of cows and bulls that have been deep fried. This delicacy is especially popular in the farming areas of Western Canada where castration of cattle is prevalent. These deep-fried testicles are served as an appetizer in restaurants, or as a street food in festivals and carnivals.
They are named so bizarrely because of their taste and shape (like oysters), and the region they are most popular in (near the Rocky Mountains). However, considering how weird all the other dishes are on this list, this doesn’t really qualify as weird.
Balut (Philippines, Vietnam)
Source: Wikipedia
Balut is actually the embryo of a duck that is boiled and eaten right out of the shell. This dish is a highly popular street food in South-east Asian countries like the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.
The fertilized egg is incubated for 2-3 weeks by burying it in the sand, and then boiled. After this, the shells are peeled to show the partially developed embryo inside a slimy yolk. This egg is now seasoned with chili, vinegar, and garlic, and served with beer.
The dish may sound unappetizing but is actually quite delicious and has high nutritional value. Some even consider it to be an aphrodisiac. But now, Balut might be a tasty dish, but it is definitely a powerful example of cruelty towards animals.
Fugu (Japan)
Source: straitstimes.com
Fugu is basically a blowfish that is cut into paper-thin slices and served raw, seasoned with herbs and spices. It is one of the most expensive gourmet dishes in Japan. Fugu is prepared by peeling the skin off the dead blowfish, then gutting it by cutting out its intestines, ovaries and the liver. After this, it is either boiled or cut into pieces and served raw.
This Japanese dish is an exclusive delicacy primarily because it is extremely dangerous. The blowfish fugu contains a poison tetrodotoxin, which is almost 1200 times more toxic than cyanide. If the chef makes the slightest mistake, one can suffer immediate death post-consumption. Because of this risk, Fugu is only prepared by licensed chefs which make it a highly expensive and luxurious food dish.
Sannakji (Korea)
Source: Wikipedia
Sannakji is a Korean delicacy of raw octopuses. Yes, I am not joking. This Korean delicacy comprises the live tentacles of a baby octopus seasoned with sesame oil and red chili paste. Apparently, these tentacles are still very much alive and wriggling on the plates when served to the customers. In fact, some Koreans even eat the entire octopus (tentacles plus body) raw, wrapping it around their chopsticks.
This food is also dangerous because those “live” tentacles have suction cups on it. If you aren’t careful enough and don’t chew properly, these suction cups may choke you and cause instant death. And this is not a joke either- around six to seven people die everyday choking on this delicacy. Well, all hail the brave Koreans!
Raw blood soup (Thailand, Vietnam)
Source: Wikipedia
This soup is made with the blood of a raw pig. The soup is entirely made of raw ingredients and without any cooking processes whatsoever. You basically ARE drinking the blood of a pig, which makes you a swine vampire (LOL). It is not the end, however. There are more ingredients that go into a traditional Thai blood soup that will make you want to throw up.
This soup is a concoction of raw blood (cleansed with lemongrass and holy basil) and an impressive number of spices like chili flakes and cumin, along with some condensed milk. The soup is finally garnished with fried chilies, rice noodles, and wasp larvae. Then it is served with slices of raw pig’s kidney and raw pig’s neck fat.
The dish in itself is actually quite delicious, with the consistency of full-cream milk. But I don’t think there are a lot of people who are fine with the idea of stomaching raw pork blood with live wasp larvae.
Now if you plan to go globe-trotting and visit the above places, beware. You will definitely encounter these foods, so hold your breath and clench your stomach! We wish you all the best!
