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TRAVEL NEWS

7 Foods That Are Taboo Around the World

Some are common knowledge, but others may surprise you.

Food taboos exist everywhere in the world. There are different reasons why some products and ingredients are prohibited in cultures. Many practicing Jews abstain from non-kosher diets; Islamic law prohibits food items that are not halal; Jains don’t eat meat and root vegetables (potato, onion, and garlic). In some cultures and tribes, children and menstruating and pregnant women have restrictions, while during events such as weddings and funerals or Lent and Navratri, people may also refrain from certain foods. And then, of course, there are environmental and empathetic reasons. These taboos are not created equal. In this list, we are discussing food taboos around the world and the reasons they exist.

‘Emily in Paris’ Isn’t the Only One. Here Are 5 Other Shows That Have Perpetuated Stereotypes

So many characters, so many stereotypes.

Netflix’s Emily in Paris is a roaring success worldwide and has been renewed for two more seasons. But unsurprisingly, it has received criticism for its stereotypical portrayal of French people as unfriendly, lazy, and unfaithful. Season 2 further outraged people with more cliches. The Brits found football-and beer-loving Alfie an unrealistic bloke, and Ukraine’s culture minister Oleksandr Tkachenko lambasted the show for poorly writing a Ukrainian character, Petra. “In Emily in Paris, we have a caricature image of a Ukrainian woman that is unacceptable. It is also insulting. Is that how Ukrainians are seen abroad?” he asked. But Emily in Paris isn’t the only TV show that perpetuates stereotypes and prejudices. Characters are often reduced to one unflattering identity and all the complexities of human nature are taken out of the equation. Let’s have a look at some of the shows that have portrayed such characters. (And this is really just the tip of the iceberg because there are so many others. Remember Marguerite in The Golden Girls, Mrs. Kim in Gilmore Girls, Han Lee in 2 Broke Girls, Jacqueline Voorhees in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, and Tina Cohen-Chang and Matt Chang in Glee?)

Here’s What Mexican Tequila Brands Really Think About Celebrity Tequilas

F or many years tequila has been a mans game. Increasingly, its narrowing further to a non-Mexican celebritys enterprise. A-listers are converting their cult followings into tequila drinkers and causing ripple effects in the industry, which is now said to be worth US$10.8-billion-a-year. These days you can sip on stylish agave drinks from the likes … Continued

New Orleans Threw a Birthday Parade for the Late Betty White. And You Need to See the Photos

There were brass bands, colorful costumes, and plenty of dogs to celebrate the legacy of this iconic Golden Girl.

Betty White died on New Year’s Eve of 2021, just weeks shy of what would have been her 100th Birthday on January 17, 2022. As America mourned the loss of their favorite Golden Girl and a comedic legend who starred in dozens of memorable roles, the city of New Orleans began planning. The idea, crafted by Santa T. Claus (yes, that’s his legal name) and Carl Mack of Carl Mack Presents, was to host a celebration of her life––in true New Orleans’ style. The massive Betty White Parade marched on January 16 through the heart of the French Quarter, featuring all the trappings—from The Bourbon Street Brass Band to citizens twirling parasols. Many donned Betty White wigs and tropical shirts, while others held hand-painted signs of their favorite comedian’s quotes. Dogs were plentiful, and once the organizers covered the parade’s cost, all the proceeds were given to the locally run Villalobos Rescue Center for animals in need. Betty White was a massive animal lover who personally funded the relocation of several zoo animals before Hurricane Katrina made landfall in 2005 in the city. The parade was both whimsical and meaningful––something fans would say was emblematic of White’s own life––and the final moments certainly brought a tear or two. As the crowd huddled against the cold in Jackson Square, they sent some love up to Betty White with a moving chorus of I’ll Fly Away. Here, we bring you a few outtakes of a very fitting tribute to an incredible star.

10 Adventures You Probably Didn’t Know You Could Have in the Middle East

Snow caves, fjord snorkeling, and horse soul sessions. Yes, this is real life.

The Middle East offers so much more than desert sand, camel caravans, and the disproportionately negative news we see and hear. You may be drawn to the region by significant historical and spiritual cities and sites such as Petra, the pyramids, and Jerusalem. Those are, of course, perfectly good reasons to travel here. But while you’re planning your trip, consider adding some of these activities you probably didn’t know you could do in the Middle East.

Is Your Hometown One of the Best Coffee Destinations in America?

From Portland to New York and from coffee carts to the oldest Starbucks, here are 22 places to get the perfect cup of jo.

Americans have always taken their coffee culture very seriously, but caffeine no longer serves solely as a way of waking up in the morning. Craft coffee shops are brewing in urban areas across the country, spurring creativity from within and offering community gathering spaces to meet, work, or just enjoy a well-made caffeinated beverage to-go. From a city that was known for the most famous tea party in history (before it turned to coffee) to a city that “never sleeps” (so of course, it needs an ample supply of caffeine)—here is a lineup of some of the best coffee destinations in the U.S.