Quote of the Day
"What greater thing is there for two human souls than to feel that they are joined – to strengthen each other – to be at one with each other in silent unspeakable memories."
George Eliot
Writing Prompt of the Day
What City or Town Most Captures Your Imagination?
Day's Conversation Starter
Where do you get your recommendations for what to do and where to stay when you travel?
Joke of the Day
I can't believe I got fired from the calendar factory. All I did was take a day off!
Top Fun Fact
For nearly 60 years, Texas didn’t have an official state flag between 1879 & 1933. During that time, the Lone Star flag was the active, but unofficial flag.
History Fact
Mary Actually Had a Little Lamb
Everyone knows the nursery rhyme "Mary Had A Little Lamb," but you probably didn't know this was based on true story. Her name was Mary Sawyer. She was an 11-year-old girl and lived in Boston and one day was followed to school by her pet lamb. In the late 1860s, she helped raise money for an old church by selling wool from the lamb.
Weird Laws
No Selfies With Buddha in Sri Lanka
When you take a selfie with Buddha, you are turning your back on him. Tsk, tsk. This sign of disrespect is punishable by imprisonment in Sri Lanka. It is also considered disrespectful to point your finger at Buddha, and sometimes there are bans on taking photos with the statues.
Although not illegal to have tattoos of Buddha, a British woman was jailed for three days in 2014 for inappropriate tattoos of the man 70 percent of Sri Lankans feel is a prophet and avatar of the god Vishnu.
Be polite and cover tattoos, respect "no photograph" signs, and don't turn your back on him.
Foody Things
Where to Eat
Czech Republic added two 1-Star Michelin restaurants in 2019, both in Prague: Field and Le Degustation Boheme Bourgeoise. Field's 10-course menu is a veritable feast; Le Degustation Boheme Bourgeoise is known for its freshly foraged ingredients and traditional Czech techniques.
Slovakia hasn't made the cut for Michelin just yet, but TripAdvisor reviewers rave about Bratislava restaurants include Albrecht and Houdini Restaurant.
Movie/TV Trivia
There Were 10,297 Balloons in Up
The animators who created the pack of balloons in Up actually created every single one. The film's effects artist, Jon Reisch, told Tech Radar that, "The entire canopy is filled with balloons. We didn't just simulate the outer shell." And they even got a specific count of exactly the number of balloons: 10,297.
Movie/TV Quote
"Go ahead, make my day."
Sudden Impact, 1983