Tihany

Thanks to its beautiful landscape, breath-taking panorama, cosy restaurants and fantastic ice cream shops, Tihany Peninsula is undoubtedly among the most romantic places of the Hungarian Sea.

Couples can participate in several interesting programmes during the summer season, including wine tasting, private and custom tours, festivals.

When visiting Tihany, lovers should not miss the fantastic Lavender Festival that makes the day even more colourful. Besides visiting the most important attraction of the peninsula, the Benedictine Tihany Abbey, it is also highly recommended to walk along the promenade and enjoy the atmosphere of the historical district.

Balatonvilágos  

In Balatonvilágos, you can find one of the most mysterious places on the lake shore, the so-called “Bridge of Lovers” which is also known as the “Hungarian Bridge of Sighs”. This tiny white bridge is more than perfect for a romantic walk.

Balatonfüred

The Hungarian spa town of Balatonfüred provides a relaxing atmosphere for all the visitors. In addition to the fantastic panorama of Lake Balaton, the Tagore Promenade is also worth a visit, where you can take great romantic walks in nature and see the 46 memorial plaques, 13 public statues, five monuments and picturesque old villas.

Keszthely

In Keszthely, you can visit the fabulous Festetics Castle, one of the most significant castles in the country. Its romantic park is a nature reserve, open for visitors.

Couples can leave their trademarks by putting their own padlocks on the famous romantic wall in front of the Doll Museum.

Révfülöp  

As csodalatosbalaton.hu reports, Révfülöp is the ideal destination if you would like to admire the sunset at Lake Balaton with your love. Here, you can also enjoy the beautiful panorama of the Hungarian Sea from the Millennium Lookout Tower or participate in a cruise tour that will make the day even more enjoyable.

Badacsony

The beautiful region of Badacsony offers several wine estates and terraces where you can taste the best Hungarian wines. After a pleasant dinner with your sweetheart, discover together the “Stairs of Love” that consist of 464 steps. If you reach the lookout point in Badacsony, you will surely have a kiss that you will never forget. 

Source: Daily News Hungary

A cikk elolvasása után, döntsd el, hogy az alábbi állítások igazak (A), hamisak (B), vagy nem volt róluk szó a szövegben (C)

1. The Tihany Peninsula is probably among the most romantic places of the Hungarian Sea.
2. The Benedictine Abbey is the landmark of the Tihany Peninsula.
3. The Hungarian “Bridge of Sighs” provides the most amorous view of Lake Balaton.
4. The Tagore Promenade provides not only an excellent opportunity for romantic walks, but for seeing memorial sights.
5. Tourists aren’t allowed to visit the park in the Festetics Castle because it is a natural reserve.
6. Couples are padlocked onto the romantic wall in front of the Doll Museum.
7. To enjoy the sunset at Lake Balaton, Révfülöp is an ideal destination.
8. It isn’t forbidden to visit the ‘Stairs of Love’ in Badacsony, if you have drunk some wine during dinner.

key/megoldások:

1. B, it is undoubtedly one of the most romantic places
2. A
3. C
4. A
5. B, it is open for visitors
6. B, they leave their padlocks on the wall
7. A
8. C

Lake Bokodi

Lake Bokodi offers an interesting site for visitors, as the cooling pond houses the popular tourist attraction, the Bokod Floating Houses. As the lake is used as the local power plant’s cooling pond, it never freezes, therefore the tiny stilt village is built on the water. The lake and the floating village became a beloved attraction back in 2014, when the popular search engine, Bing, used a moody photo of the misty cabins as their cover photo. Before this, only the locals and dedicated fishermen were aware of the picturesque spot.   

Tarn of Megyer-hegy

The Tarn of Megyer-hegy is situated in Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén county. It is an attractive hiking and climbing spot as it is surrounded by large cliffs and can only be reached on foot. Its hiddenness and secluded location add to its charm and make it a popular tourist destination. The artificial lake once functioned as a quarry, and now offers one of the most gorgeous views in the entire region. 

Tarn of Jósvafő

Hidden in Jósvafő village in the Aggtelek National Park, the Tarn of Jósvafő is a beautiful turquoise lake surrounded by trees and forests. It is situated close to the Baradla cave, the largest stalactite cave in Hungary, so you get the chance to visit two unique spots in one day. The turquoise lake was created back in the 1930s from the spring in the same area. The spring has been used as a mill and a way to use hydroelectric power. 

Lake Hévíz

Being the second-largest thermal lake in the world, Lake Hévíz is one of the most popular destinations for both domestic and international tourists. It is visited by people from all around the world for the lake’s healing properties. The Hévíz Spa is built around the lake to help visitors enjoy the benefits of the healing lake. The water temperature can reach 25 °C in the winter and 35-36 °C in the summer, as the water is constantly moving with warm water moving upwards to the surface. This movement helps to keep the lake warm while providing a special massaging effect to the human skin. 

Lake Fertő

Lake Fertő is a shared gem between Hungary and neighbouring Austria. It is the biggest saltwater lake in Europe. The lake and its surroundings are a natural marvel with unique biodiversity and a scenic landscape. The lake is on the border of the two countries and is also bordered by two geological regions: the Little Hungarian Plain and the Sopron Mountains. The lake is Europe’s westernmost steppe lake, making it a unique home for some migratory birds, plants and other wildlife. 

Lake Deseda

Lake Deseda located in a hidden corner in the north of Kaposvár is a lesser-known gem in the country. It was made by raising a dam in the 1970s for industrial utilisation. The lake is only 8 km long and is bordered by nature on one side and the city of Kaposvár on the other. On the lake’s peninsula, visitors can learn more about nature and the lake in the local arboretum, while cyclists can take a 17 km long track around the lake. 

Komplett angol nyelvtan rendszerező videókurzus

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ANGOL Nyelvtan+Szókincs – átfogó 40 részes videókurzus, középfokra készülőknek is

59,900Ft Original price was: 59,900Ft.49,900FtCurrent price is: 49,900Ft.

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Lake Fehér

As part of the Kiskunság National Part, Lake Fehér is the largest saltwater lake located entirely in Hungary. The lake and the surrounding wildlife are carefully protected as it homes 300 different bird species and is a popular layover for many migratory birds in Europe. During the migration period, cranes, wild geese and teals are visible on the lake making it a perfect spot for bird and wildlife enthusiasts as well as nature photographers. 

Lake Hámori

Lying among the mountains in Lilafüred, next to the castle-hotel, Lake Hámori has a unique atmosphere. The lake is surrounded by beautiful forests with misty treetops. Taking a boat tour on the emerald-coloured water gives an amazing view of the mountains in any season, while hikers can discover the valley by foot or bike. Lilafüred, the “Pearl of Bükk” is stunning in itself, but Lake Hámori is the cherry on top and a significant element in the region’s visual identity. 

Fun facts About April Fools’ Day

April Fools’ Day is a day of fun and laughter, celebrated around the world on 1st April. This day is full of ………. (1). It’s a day to show off your creativity and sense of humour. You may choose to trick someone or simply watch others have a good laugh; April Fools’ Day is a perfect excuse to have a good time.

In France they have a tradition where they stick ………. (2) on each other’s backs. They call it Poisson d’Avril, which translates to ‘April Fish’.

Also, ………. (3) had a holiday called Hilaria which was very similar to April Fools’ Day. This is when they played jokes on each other.

Some historians believe that April Fools’ Day started in 1582. During this year, France switched ………. (4). This meant that the start of their year used to be around 1st April, however it changed to 1st January, like it is today. Some people accidentally celebrated new year in April and were called ‘April fools’!

Others believe April Fools’ Day started on the first day of spring. They think it’s because during this time nature fools us ………. (5).

Lots of companies, radios and TV channels make April Fools jokes. One of the best April Fools jokes was in 1957 when a man called Richard Dimbleby made a ‘documentary’ about how they were ………. (6). This was on a BBC programme. People actually believed it and even phoned up to ask how they could grow their own!

source: funkidslive.com

key:1.D 2.E 3.A 4.B 5.H 6.C

One of Sicily’s quirkiest charms nearby in the city of Palermo is in a crypt below its Capuchin monastery. The Capuchins, a branch of the Franciscan order, have a passion for reminding people of their mortality. Historically, when their brothers died, their bones were saved and put on display.

The Capuchins of Palermo took this tradition a step further. Rather than just saving bones, they preserved the bodies in their entirety. Back in the 16th century, the monks here found that this particular crypt preserved bodies almost miraculously. They later realized that they could actually charge wealthy parishioners for the privilege of being mummified here with their brothers. And this helped raise money to support their monastery.

This maze of corridors contains thousands of skeletons and mummies, dressed in the clothing of their choice. Each area features a different group, monks in their brown robes, women with their favorite dresses, priests with their vestments, soldiers still in uniform, and children looking almost as if taking a long nap.

The oldest body, Brother Sylvester, has been hanging here since 1599. One of the brothers gave me a lovely little sermon. He explained that our time on Earth is short and what really matters is what comes next. These bodies without souls, as they call them, are a reminder that we’re all mortal. For this monk, being with all these bodies brought him great joy and peace, as it caused him to focus not on our earthly existence, but on eternity.

Today, the public’s welcome to wander thoughtfully through these halls of haunting faces, which seem determined to tell us a truth that perhaps we’ve yet to learn. I’m not quite ready for a Capuchin crypt, but I could go for a cappuccino. And I’m joined by my Capuchin friend, who, in good Franciscan style, enjoys embracing the moment as well. So we have the same colors. Yes, same color. Brown and the white and the robe. So we got the white and the brown. Enjoy.

DID YOU KNOW?

‘Cappuccino’ takes its name from the Capuchin friars: the color of the espresso mixed with frothed milk was similar to the color of the Capuchin robe. (source: Merriam-Webster)

Macaulay Culkin has gone from “Home Alone” to the iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame … reuniting with his former costar Catherine O’Hara 33 years after the festive classic.

Catherine gushed over his “perfect performance” during a heartfelt speech as he scooped a coveted Star during the ceremony in Hollywood Friday.

The event was also a big personal moment for Macaulay as he was supported by fiancée Brenda Song – and their sons, 2-year-old Dakota and their 11-month-old baby boy Carson … who made their public debut.

Macaulay later thanked Brenda in his speech … gushing she was “absolutely everything” and “the best person I’ve ever known” – adding, “And, after the birth of our two boys, you’ve become one of my three favorite people.”

Macaulay also delighted onlookers with the movie’s iconic quote: “Ya Filthy Animal!”

Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock … Macaulay is best known for the role of Kevin McCallister in the OG “Home Alone”, which he took on at age 10 … later reprising his role in the 1992 sequel.

He’s worked steadily in the biz since … and his last acting credit was in 2021 in the 10th season of Ryan Murphy’s American Horror Story.

HALLGASD MEG A CIKKET!

 

Mit jelent a szövegben az OG rövidítés?

Macaulay is best known for the role of Kevin McCallister in the OG “Home Alone”, which he took on at age 10. 

“OG, short for “original gangster” or “original gangsta,” is a slang term for someone who’s incredibly exceptional, authentic, or “old-school.” OG was originally used in gang culture, but it is now used as a general term to praise someone who is an expert at something.”

Jegyezd meg még a “hiding under a rock” idiómát is! 
definition: to be unaware of things that most people know about
magyarul: “barlangban élni” – nem tudni valami olyan dologról, amiről a legtöbb ember tud, amit a legtöbb ember ismer

The Madame Tussauds wax museum is one of the most popular tourist attractions in London with branches in more and more major cities. The first overseas branch of Madame Tussauds was opened in Amsterdam in 1970 and there are currently 24 Madame Tussauds worldwide, including seven in the USA, and museums in Beijing, Tokyo, Vienna and Sydney, Australia displaying historical and royal figures, film stars, sports stars, famous murderers and fiction characters such as Shrek and Incredible Hulk.

How it all began

The wax museum was founded by wax sculptor Anna Maria “Marie” Tussaud. She was born Marie Grosholtz in 1761 in Strasbourg, France. Her mother worked as a housekeeper for Dr. Philippe Curtius in Bern, Switzerland, who was a physician and a wax modelling expert. Dr. Curtius taught young Marie the art of wax modelling. Her first sculpture was of Francois Voltaire. She made it at the tender age of 16. Other famous people whom she sculpted included Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Benjamin Franklin. During the French Revolution, she was imprisoned and she made death masks of executed nobles. She inherited the doctor’s sizeable collection of wax models following his death in 1794 and spent the next 33 years travelling around Europe showing them off. By 1835, Marie had settled down in Baker Street, London and opened a museum. One of the main attractions of her museum was the Chamber of Horrors. This section of the show featured victims of the French Revolution and newly created figures of murderers and other criminals. There were also additional well-known figures, such as Lord Nelson and Sir Walter Scott.

Approximately 400 different figures were originally shown in the museum, but fire damage from 1925 and the German bombing from 1941 made the majority of these older models unusable. The casts themselves have survived and the historical waxworks could be remade, and they can now be seen in the museum’s history exhibit. Some sculptures still exist that were created by Marie Tussaud herself. Even Madame Tussaud’s wax figure is on display at the entrance of the museum. She did her own portrait just 8 years before she died at the ripe old age of 89 in her sleep. Today more than 190 lifelike wax figures are exhibited in Madame Tussauds London.

The art of making wax figures

Each figure produced for Madame Tussauds takes about four months to complete and costs roughly $300,000 to do so from start to finish. The measuring process of the model is a difficult task. The figure is created using more than 250 exact measurements and 180 pictures of the subject. If the subject is not available for measuring, the studio artists study hundreds of photographs and watch hours of video to create the figure and get the measurements exactly. It requires more than just one sitting for several individuals. Over the years, Queen Elizabeth has done modelling a number of times.

To start the sculpting process a skeleton is created from metal tube and wire to support the clay used to form the wax figure. Each wax figure requires 150 kg of clay to replicate the celebrity’s head and body. Sculpting the head alone takes up to 6 weeks. The sculptors have the anatomical knowledge to recreate every bone, muscle and tendon accurately.  Then a plaster mould is created of the clay head and body and the body is cast out in fibre-glass after that. Wax is heated to 74° Celsius and poured into the mould to cool and harden overnight. The head and the body are created separately. The exact eye colour is chosen from a selection of eyes to match the eye colour of the celebrity. The eyes are constructed from acrylic resin. The artists hand-paint the iris and add fine red silk threads to make every single vein visible in the eyeball. Each strand of hair is inserted individually so a head takes approximately 5 weeks to complete.

There are approximately 100,000 hairs on each head. Knotted rope is used to create the look of veins on the body.

If possible, a tooth impression of the personality is taken and a dentist reproduces the entire set of teeth within 28 hours for the production of the wax figure. Finally, all the pieces are assembled and the wax figure is dressed in an outfit that is appropriate for the personality. It is customary at Madame Tussauds that celebrities provide their own clothing for the wax figures. Before the figure begins its journey to the exhibition, it is approved by the entire team of creators and the model as well. Finally, a professional photo shoot is conducted to ensure the consistently high quality of the figures. They are frequently refreshed and newly styled in the attraction. All wax figures are created 2 per cent larger than the actual person because this is how much the wax is anticipated to melt throughout the entire procedure. Every figure displayed in the museum receives routine hair washing and make-up touch-ups. Before the museum opens, two maintenance crews examine each figure every day.

Madame Tussauds interesting facts

– Sleeping Beauty is the oldest existing figure on display. It’s the work of Curtius from 1765 and part of the waxworks he left to Madame Tussaud when he died. It was modelled after Madame du Barry. She appears asleep and a device in her chest gives the impression as if she were breathing.

– Incredible Hulk is Madame Tussauds’ largest-ever sculpture, standing 4.5 meters tall.

– Tinkerbell, a figurine from Peter Pan, is the smallest Madame Tussauds has ever produced.

– Mother Teresa rejected having a sculpture made of her because she thought her work was more important than her appearance. Just very few people have ever done so before.

– Adolf Hitler’s wax figure was decapitated in Madame Tussauds Berlin location in July 2008 by a 41-year-old German man who slipped past two security guards. The attacker said, “It disturbs me that Hitler should become a tourist attraction.”

-The wax figure of a Bollywood star, Shah Rukh Khan received a marriage proposal. A fervent female admirer presented his figure with a diamond ring.

– Weatherman Al Roker surprised unwary guests by posing in place of his lifelike wax replica for two hours on November 3, 2009, as seen in a piece on NBC’s The Today Show. At first, the visitors were led to assume they were seeing Roker’s wax counterpart.

– In 2012, One Direction also impersonated their sculptures in the London museum, as a prank for the TV series Surprise Surprise.

– The real human hair used on figures – including beards, moustaches and eyebrows – needs regular shampooing and styling. In 1996 the astonished staff found that Hitler’s hair appeared to be growing and it even needed clipping.

– The museum stays current with the news. Madame Tussauds London has decided to take its wax replicas of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle off of the Royal Family exhibit in response to their choice to leave the British Royal Family. The couple had previously stood next to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Queen, Prince Philip, and the Prince of Wales. They were separated from the family to reflect their “progressive new role within the Royal institution.”

– No famous person ever receives payment to be cast in wax.

Skye Terrier

Current Numbers: 3,000 – 4,000
Country of Origin: Scotland
Average Lifespan: 12 – 14 years

Skye Terriers have remained roughly the same for over four centuries, which is much longer than other terrier breeds. The Skye Terrier, which has a very long coat, has greatly dwindled in popularity as other breeds of terriers have become more desirable. According to the United Kingdom’s Kennel Club, the Skye Terrier is one of the UK’s most endangered native breeds. In the past, the Skye Terrier was everywhere in Scotland and Queen Victoria reportedly had a kennel full of them. Gail Marshall, secretary of the Scottish branch of the Skye Terriers Club, also said that Mary, Queen of Scots had a Skye Terrier stashed under her skirt when she was beheaded. Marshall says that one of the big reasons that Skye Terrier numbers are down is because people just aren’t aware of the breed anymore.

Canaan Dog

Current Numbers: 2,000 – 3,000
Country of Origin: Ancient Canaan (modern-day Israel, Palestine, and Jordan)
Average Lifespan: 12 – 15 years

The Canaan Dog is such an ancient and rare breed that it goes back to the pre-biblical era. These dogs originated in Ancient Canaan (an area stretching across modern-day Israel, Palestine, and Jordan) and drawings of the Canaan Dog have been dated to around 2000 – 2200 BCE. It is also believed that the Canaan Dog may be one of the breeds responsible for establishing a relationship with humans. The Canaan Dog breed is so old that it is completely natural and unaltered by human hands. Throughout history, Canaan Dogs have served as sentries, messengers, service dogs, and landmine detectors. After World War II, Canaans were bred and trained as guide dogs for the blind.

Lagotto Romagnolo

Current Numbers: worldwide numbers unknown but about 500 in the United States
Country of Origin: Italy
Average Lifespan: 15 – 17 years

The Lagotto Romagnolo is originally from Italy and was specially bred to find truffles, one of the world’s most elusive and expensive foods. Lagotto Romagnolos are the only dogs in the world that specialize in truffle hunting. The Lagotto Romagnolo has characteristically curly hair and looks like a teddy bear. Despite its cute looks, the Lagotto Romagnolo is a working-class dog with a high level of intelligence and attentiveness. Although the exact origins of the Lagotto Romagnolo are unknown, its believed that the breed has been around for centuries. There are records of a small water dog with a bristly, crimped coat that date back to the 5th and 6th centuries. There is also a painting of a Lagotto Romagnolo from the 1600s.

Azawakh

Current Numbers: low thousands (about 300 in North America)
Country of Origin: West Africa (Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso)
Average Lifespan: 12 – 15 years

The Azawakh is not only one of the rarest dog breeds, it is also one of the oldest dog breeds in the world. This ancient hunting hound originated from West Africa in the countries of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso over a thousand years ago. The breed is named after the Azawakh Valley in the Sahara Desert. The Azawakh is lean, tall, and a part of the sighthound family. The Azawakh was originally used to protect livestock from thieves and predators and also served as camp guards. Until the 1980s, the Azawakh was not present in the United States because these rare dogs could not be bought. Azawakhs had to be given as gifts and they did not leave Africa until Dr. Pecar, a Yugoslavian diplomat who had been stationed in Burkina Faso, brought his Azawakh home with him.

Mudi

Current Numbers: no more than a few thousand
Country of Origin: Hungary
Average Lifespan: 12 – 14 years

The Mudi is a rare breed from Hungary that supposedly evolved naturally from crossbreeding the Puli, Pumi, and German Spitz. The Hungarians had been breeding dogs since between the 4th and 6th centuries, but pedigree breeding and classification did not start until the 19th century. Initially, only the Puli and Pumi were given recognition and very few people were interested in the Mudi, which was considered the “third type” of Hungarian sheepdog. However, around 1930, Dr. Dezső Fényesi, director of the museum in Balassagyarmat, was one of the first people to start separately breeding the Mudi. In 1936, the Mudi was officially recognized as its own breed.

Norwegian Lundehund

Current Numbers: about 1,400
Country of Origin: Norway
Average Lifespan: 12 – 15 years

The Norwegian Lundehund, which is also called a Puffin Dog, was bred for centuries on the Norwegian island of Vaeroy. The island is home to a large population of puffins and the people on the island depended on pickled puffin meat to serve long Arctic winters. The puffins nested on Vaeroy’s cliffs and the Norwegian Lundehund was the only way to get to the birds. The Norwegian Lundehund is an athletic and compact dog and was able to climb the cliffs and squeeze into crevices to snatch the puffins. One of the most unique characteristics of the Norwegian Lundehund is its flexibility. Lundehunds can tip their heads so far back that they’re touching their own backbone. Norwegian Lundehunds can also move their ears forward and backwards at will as well as fold them over.

Cesky Terrier

Current Numbers: less than 1,300
Country of Origin: Czech Republic
Average Lifespan: 12 – 15 years

The Cesky Terrier is a rare breed of small terriers that were bred for hunting in the forests of Bohemia in the Czech Republic. A man named Frantisek Horak is credited with the creation of the Cesky Terrier. Horak purchased his first Scottish Terrier in 1932 and spent years studying the dog and began breeding them after he felt they were adequate to hunt hare, fox, and red deer in the Bohemian woods. In 1940, Horak bought a Sealyham and spent nine years studying this breed before he felt ready to breed it with a Scottish Terrier to produce the perfect hunting dog. Horak made several attempts to breed a Scottie and a Sealyham until he was satisfied with the characteristics of the dogs that were produced. Horak’s work finally paid off in 1963 when the Cesky Terrier was first recognized by Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI) as an established breed.

Chinook

Current Numbers: about 1,200
Country of Origin: New Hampshire, USA
Average Lifespan: 12 – 15 years

The Chinook is a rare breed of sled dog that was founded by Arthur Treadwell Walden, a sled-dog driver, author, explorer, and innkeeper from Wonalancet, New Hampshire. To establish the Chinook breed, one of the dogs that Walden used was a descendant of Admiral Peary’s Greenland husky lead dog, Polaris. The other founding dog was a mastiff-type dog and they produced a litter on January 17, 1917. Walden named one of the male puppies Chinook after one of his previous sled dogs. All Chinooks trace their linage to the first male Chinook. Due to its limited lineage, the Chinook was recognized in 1965 by Guinness World Records as the world’s rarest dog breed.

Peruvian Inca Orchid

Current Numbers: about 1,000
Country of Origin: Peru
Average Lifespan: 12 – 14 years

The Peruvian Inca Orchid of Peruvian Hairless Dog is a relatively unknown breed, which accounts for its low numbers. There are only 1,000 registered Peruvian Inca Orchids in the world. As its name suggests, the Peruvian Inca Orchid is the national dog of Peru and has a long history in the area. Peruvian Inca Orchids were well-documented in Moche, Incan, Chimu, and Chancay history. The oldest depiction of a Peruvian Inca Orchid dates back to 750 CE. According to the history of the breed, the original hairless dogs in Peru were small but were later bred with the dogs that the Spanish Conquistadors brought with them. This interbreeding has resulted in three distinct sizes of Peruvian Inca Orchids.

Otterhound

Current Numbers: fewer than 800
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Average Lifespan: 10 – 13 years

With fewer than 800 individuals currently left in the world, the Otterhound is the rarest dog breed in the world and one of the most endangered. The Otterhound originated in the United Kingdom, where most of the current population is located, and were bred to hunt otters. In medieval England the otter population was unchecked and consuming the river fish that were a valuable food source.

The Otterhound’s ancestry may stretch as far back as the 12th century, but the current version of the breed appeared in the late 18th century. It is believed that Otterhounds have Bloodhound, several rough-coated French hound breeds, as well as the extinct Southern Hound blood in its background.

Lumos is the world’s first smart helmet. It has white lights in the front and red lights in the back, so cyclists can be seen better in the dark. And even better, it features left and right turn signals that allow drivers to know which way a cyclist plans to turn, as well as lights that come on when a biker brakes.

The Albert Clock displays math equations instead of the actual time. There’s one equation for the hour of the day and another for the minutes. So, to tell the time, you have to do the math first! For instance, if the clock displays 8+3 hours and 25-3 minutes that means it’s 11:22. The designer made the clock to help kids practice their math skills. Would you like a clock like this?

The Shark Spotter drone is designed to help save swimmers. It is programmed to fly above open waters and warn swimmers and surfers when a shark has been detected in the area. To do this, the drone has been fitted with loudspeakers. When the drone spots a shark in the water, it’ll notify a lifeguard. And the lifeguard can use the loudspeakers to yell down to those in the water that they need to head to dry land.

We all know how important it is to recycle, but sometimes waste and recycling aren’t always separated properly. This is a big problem with public bins where garbage and recycling often get thrown in together by people who aren’t paying close attention. An invention called the Bin-e hopes to help fix that. It automatically sorts items into the correct bin, by figuring out what’s garbage and what’s recycling. To do this, the Bin-e has special sensors and cameras.

source: cbc.ca/kids

1.Milyen dolgokban és hogyan segíti a vezetőket a Lumos sisak?
2. Kiknek, miben és mivel segít az Albert óra?
3. Kiket, mire, és hogyan figyelmeztet a Shark Spotter drón?
4. Milyen problémára nyújt megoldást a Bin-e? Hogyan működik?

Alapfok:

Smart little inventions

1. A biciklistákat jobban látják a sötétben, mert fehér lámpák vannak a sisakon elöl és pirosak hátul. Azt is jelzi a sisak nekik, ha balra vagy jobbra akarnak kanyarodni, és azt is, ha fékeznek.
2. Gyerekeknek a matematikai készségek gyakorlásában segít azzal, hogy egyenletekkel mutatja az időt (az órát és a percet), és azokat kell kiszámolni.
3. Az úszókat figyelmezteti arra, ha cápát észlel a közelben, értesíti a vízimentőket, akik a drón hangszóróján keresztül szólnak az úszóknak.
3. Az emberek nem figyelnek oda, és nem a megfelelő szemetesbe dobják a hulladékot az újra hasznosításhoz. Speciális érzékelők és kamerák segítségével automatikusan kiválogatja, hogy mi szemét, és mit lehet újra hasznosítani.

As traffic starts to recover from pandemic lockdowns, London has emerged as the most congested city in the world, according to transport analytics firm Inrix Inc. In 2021, drivers in the UK capital spent 148 hours stuck in a jam.

The 2021 Inrix Global Traffic Scorecard, which covers more than 1,000 cities selected across 50 countries, reported that Paris follows London (140 hours lost), Brussels (134), Moscow (108) and New York (102). However, it excludes some infamously busy cities like Lahore, Lagos and Cairo.

In Europe, St Petersburg delays fell by 50% compared to 2019. Nimes in France, however, saw congestion nearly double (98% increase) compared to 2019.

Inrix reported that, like most other countries, the UK implemented protective lockdowns that impacted travel within the country in 2020. By 2021, England has had no restrictions since mid-June, when the third national lockdown ended.

London’s high congestion levels are reportedly partly due to the installation of new bike lanes last year. Cycle charity Cycling UK disputes this claim, arguing that lanes help move people more efficiently. Transport for London, a local government body, plans to create 450km of new bike lanes by 2024.

According to the study, worldwide traffic in 2021 was still below 2019, but the increase from last year signals a significant economic recovery.

The Inrex 2021 Global Traffic Scorecard is based on more than ten months of data, extrapolated to an annual number.

source: GraphicNews, 5 Perc Angol Magazin 2022 januári szám

Decide if the statements are true or false. 

1) Drivers in London spend more than 140 hours in traffic jams.

2) According to the article London is more congested than Cairo.

3) There has been no lockdown in the second half of the year in England.

4) It is clearly evident that bike lanes help people move more efficiently.

5) There has been an increase in worldwide traffic this year compared to last year.

Key: 1. true, 2. false, 3. true, 4. false, 5. true; 

1. The wedding dress wasn’t always white

The tradition of wearing a white wedding gown started with Queen Victoria in 1840. Before then brides used to wear their best dress for a wedding in no set colour. White became popular after the marriage of Queen Victoria to Albert of Saxe-Coburg. Victoria wore a white gown trimmed with Honiton lace. Illustrations of the wedding were widely published, and many brides wanted to copy the Queen and opted for white.

2. The wedding veil protected the bride

Nowadays a veil is a romantic addition to a wedding dress. It’s usually a piece of tulle fabric that complements the dress. But in the past, it used to have a different function. In ancient times a bride wrapped in a veil from head to toe represented a modest and untouched maiden. The veil also hid the bride away from evil spirits who might want to thwart her happiness.

3. “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.”

The tradition of a bride wearing “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue,” comes from an Old English rhyme. Something old represents continuity; something new offers optimism for the future; something borrowed symbolizes borrowed happiness and good luck; something blue stands for purity, love, and fidelity, the three key qualities for a solid marriage.

4. Wedding cakes weren’t always sweet

Wedding cakes originate from Ancient Rome, where marriage ceremonies ended with a scone-like wheat or barley cake broken over the bride’s head for luck and fertility. Guests scrambled to pick up the crumbs in order to take home some of that good luck. The wedding cake is considered to bring good luck to everyone who eats it.

5. The honeymoon has actually something to do with honey

The word honeymoon is derived from the Scandinavian practice of drinking mead, or fermented honey, during the first month of the marriage – measured by one moon cycle – in order to improve the likelihood of conception. Today most couples travel on honeymoon to be on their own, but it wasn’t always that way. In 19th century Britain couples used to go on a bridal tour and visited friends and family who could not attend the wedding ceremony.

6. Wedding rings are worn on your ring finger for a reason

Historically, wedding rings have been worn on every finger, even the thumb. Nowadays, wedding rings are most commonly worn on the fourth finger of the left or right hand. It was believed the ring finger had a vein that connected directly to the heart, so lovers’ hearts would be connected by their rings. Romans called this the Vena Amoris or vein of love. So, to solidify a union founded in love, a ring was placed on that finger to signify the romance that the newly-wed couple shared. Although anatomy shows that all fingers have venous connections to the heart and no such singular vein exists, this adorable symbolism lives on.

7. Good luck wedding day superstitions

The English believe a spider found in a wedding dress means good luck. According to Hindu tradition rain on your wedding day is considered good luck. Egyptian women pinch the bride on her wedding day for good luck. Greeks believe that if you want your marriage to be sweet, the bride should carry a sugar cube in some way during the wedding. The most common way to do this in the past was to place the sugar cube in one of her gloves during the ceremony. Not a lot of brides wear gloves today though, but somehow inserting the sugar cube into the bouquet could work. Bells ringing on your wedding day bring a harmonious family life with every chime. In Ireland, many brides attach small bells to their bouquet. 

8. Bad luck wedding day superstitions

Saturday is the most popular day of the week to say “I do,” but according to English folklore, this weekend day will doom a couple to a life of bad luck. To be extra safe, you should avoid the 13th and the month of May altogether. In Chinese culture, being given a clock as a wedding present is bad luck, because the word for clock in Mandarin also means the end. In some countries, cloudy skies and wind are believed to cause stormy marriages.

9. Weird wedding customs

At Swedish weddings if either member of the couple leaves the other’s side, guests rush up to steal a kiss. If, say, the bride goes to the bathroom, guests might line up to kiss the groom. In Borneo, the bride and groom must not leave their home or use the bathroom for three whole days before their wedding ceremony. In Mauritania, obesity is regarded as desirable so older women called “fatteners” force the would-be bride to consume enormous amounts of camel milk and millet in order to make them as fat as possible.

10. Weird wedding gifts

In South Korea, a groom offers his mother-in-law geese to symbolize fidelity, and the couple is gifted wooden ducks at the ceremony. In Vietnam, on the morning of the wedding, the future in-laws give pink chalk to the bride to paint a rosy future full of happiness for the couple. In Holland, the bride and the groom are given lily of the valley bulbs to plant in their yard to symbolize their new joy together. In Sudan only married women wear perfume so before the wedding ceremony, female relatives mix the bride a custom fragrance. In the Philippines, a chamber pot, called an arinola, is said to bring good luck to a new couple so they traditionally get it.

Az angolnak két-két különböző szava is van a menyasszonyra és a vőlegényre. Az esküvő előtt a fiancée szót használják a menyasszonyra, a fiancé szót pedig a vőlegényre. Az esküvő napján a menyasszony bride, míg a vőlegény groom vagy bridegroom.

via GIPHY

On the morning of Tuesday, September 11, we were about 5 hours out of Frankfurt, flying over the North Atlantic.

All of a sudden the curtains parted and I was told to go to the cockpit, immediately, to see the captain. As soon as I got there I noticed that the crew had that “All Business” look on their faces. The captain handed me a printed message. It was from Delta’s main office in Atlanta and simply read, “All airways over the Continental United States are closed to commercial air traffic. Land ASAP at the nearest airport. Advise your destination.”

No one said a word about what this could mean. We knew it was a serious situation and we needed to find terra firma quickly. The captain determined that the nearest airport was 400 miles behind us in Gander, New Foundland.

He requested approval for a route change from the Canadian traffic controller and approval was granted immediately — no questions asked. We found out later, of course, why there was no hesitation in approving our request.

While the flight crew prepared the airplane for landing, another message arrived from Atlanta telling us about some terrorist activity in the New York area. A few minutes later word came in about the hijackings.

We decided to lie to the passengers while we were still in the air. We told them the plane had a simple instrument problem and that we needed to land at the nearest airport in Gander, New Foundland, to have it checked out.

We promised to give more information after landing in Gander. There was much grumbling among the passengers, but that’s nothing new. Forty minutes later, we landed in Gander. Local time at Gander was 12:30 PM …. that’s 11:00 AM EST.

There were already about 20 other airplanes on the ground from all over the world that had taken this detour on their way to the US.

After we parked on the ramp, the captain made the following announcement: “Ladies and gentlemen, you must be wondering if all these airplanes around us have the same instrument problem as we have. The reality is that we are here for another reason.”

Then he went on to explain the little bit we knew about the situation in the US. There were loud gasps and stares of disbelief. The captain informed passengers that Ground control in Gander told us to stay put.

The Canadian Government was in charge of our situation and no one was allowed to get off the aircraft. No one on the ground was allowed to come near any of the aircraft. Only airport police would come around periodically, look us over and go on to the next airplane.

In the next hour or so more planes landed and Gander ended up with 53 airplanes from all over the world, 27 of which were US commercial jets.

Meanwhile, bits of news started to come in over the aircraft radio and for the first time we learned that airplanes were flown into the World Trade Center in New York and into the Pentagon in DC.

People were trying to use their cell phones, but were unable to connect due to a different cell system in Canada. Some did get through, but were only able to get to the Canadian operator who would tell them that the lines to the U.S. were either blocked or jammed.

Sometime in the evening the news filtered to us that the World Trade Center buildings had collapsed and that a fourth hijacking had resulted in a crash. By now the passengers were emotionally and physically exhausted, not to mention frightened, but everyone stayed amazingly calm.

We had only to look out the window at the 52 other stranded aircraft to realize that we were not the only ones in this predicament

We had been told earlier that they would be allowing people off the planes one plane at a time. At 6 PM, Gander airport told us that our turn to deplane would be 11 am the next morning.

Passengers were not happy, but they simply resigned themselves to this news without much noise and started to prepare themselves to spend the night on the airplane.

Gander had promised us medical attention, if needed, water, and lavatory servicing. And they were true to their word.

Fortunately we had no medical situations to worry about. We did have a young lady who was 33 weeks into her pregnancy. We took really good care of her. The night passed without incident despite the uncomfortable sleeping arrangements.

About 10:30 on the morning of the 12th a convoy of school buses showed up. We got off the plane and were taken to the terminal where we went through Immigration and Customs and then had to register with the Red Cross.

After that we (the crew) were separated from the passengers and were taken in vans to a small hotel. We had no idea where our passengers were going. We learned from the Red Cross that the town of Gander has a population of 10,400 people and they had about 10,500 passengers to take care of from all the airplanes that were forced into Gander!

We were told to just relax at the hotel and we would be contacted when the US airports opened again, but not to expect that call for a while. We found out the total scope of the terror back home only after getting to our hotel and turning on the TV, 24 hours after it all started.

Meanwhile, we had lots of time on our hands and found that the people of Gander were extremely friendly. They started calling us the “plane people.” We enjoyed their hospitality, explored the town of Gander and ended up having a pretty good time.

Two days later, we got that call and were taken back to the Gander airport. Back on the plane, we were reunited with the passengers and found out what they had been doing for the past two days.

What we found out was incredible…..

Gander and all the surrounding communities (within about a 75 kilometer radius) had closed all high schools, meeting halls, lodges, and any other large gathering places. They converted all these facilities to mass lodging areas for all the stranded travelers. Some had cots set up, some had mats with sleeping bags and pillows set up.

ALL the high school students were required to volunteer their time to take care of the “guests.” Our 218 passengers ended up in a town called Lewisporte, about 45 kilometers from Gander where they were put up in a high school. If any women wanted to be in a women-only facility, that was arranged. Families were kept together. All the elderly passengers were taken to private homes.

Remember that young pregnant lady? She was put up in a private home right across the street from a 24-hour Urgent Care facility. There was a dentist on call and both male and female nurses remained with the crowd for the duration.

Phone calls and e-mails to the U.S. and around the world were available to everyone once a day. During the day, passengers were offered “Excursion” trips.

Some people went on boat cruises of the lakes and harbors. Some went for hikes in the local forests.

Local bakeries stayed open to make fresh bread for the guests. Food was prepared by all the residents and brought to the schools. People were driven to restaurants of their choice and offered wonderful meals. Everyone was given tokens for local laundry mats to wash their clothes, since luggage was still on the aircraft.

In other words, every single need was met for those stranded travelers.

Passengers were crying while telling us these stories. Finally, when they were told that U.S. airports had reopened, they were delivered to the airport right on time and without a single passenger missing or late. The local Red Cross had all the information about the whereabouts of each and every passenger and knew which plane they needed to be on and when all the planes were leaving. They coordinated everything beautifully.

It was absolutely incredible.

When passengers came on board, it was like they had been on a cruise. Everyone knew each other by name. They were swapping stories of their stay, impressing each other with who had the better time. Our flight back to Atlanta looked like a chartered party flight. The crew just stayed out of their way. It was mind-boggling.

Passengers had totally bonded and were calling each other by their first names, exchanging phone numbers, addresses, and email addresses.

And then a very unusual thing happened.

One of our passengers approached me and asked if he could make an announcement over the PA system. We never, ever allow that. But this time was different. I said “of course” and handed him the mike. He picked up the PA and reminded everyone about what they had just gone through in the last few days.

He reminded them of the hospitality they had received at the hands of total strangers.

He continued by saying that he would like to do something in return for the good folks of Lewisporte.

“He said he was going to set up a Trust Fund under the name of DELTA 15 (our flight number). The purpose of the trust fund is to provide college scholarships for the high school students of Lewisporte.

He asked for donations of any amount from his fellow travelers. When the paper with donations got back to us with the amounts, names, phone numbers and addresses, the total was for more than $14,000!

“The gentleman, a MD from Virginia, promised to match the donations and to start the administrative work on the scholarship. He also said that he would forward this proposal to Delta Corporate and ask them to donate as well.

As I write this account, the trust fund is at more than $1.5 million and has assisted 134 students in college education.

“I just wanted to share this story because we need good stories right now. It gives me a little bit of hope to know that some people in a faraway place were kind to some strangers who literally dropped in on them.

It reminds me how much good there is in the world.”

“In spite of all the rotten things we see going on in today’s world this story confirms that there are still a lot of good people in the world and when things get bad, they will come forward.

———————————

Are these statements about the story true or false?

1. The plane was told to land at the nearest airport as soon as possible.

2. The crew didn’t know why their request was approved immediately by air traffic control.

3. There were plans to hijack the plane.

4. The plane had a little problem with its instruments.

5. The passengers didn’t complain when they were told about the change.

6. None of the passengers were able to make a call to their families at home after landing.

7. Only one passenger was allowed to leave the plane at a time.

8. They finally left the plane only the next day.

9. The passengers and the staff were hosted by families in the town.

10. The passengers returned the kindness of the locals by donating money for their children.

Key:

1. True

2. True

3. False

4. False

5. False

6. True

7. False

8. True

9. False

10. True

Explanations:

1. They were told to do so ASAP.

2. They found out only later why there was no hesitation.

3. Other planes were hijacked, not theirs.

4. They lied to the passengers and said that.

5. There was actually much grumbling.

6. Some of them made calls but only reached the Canadian operators.

7. The passengers were allowed to leave the planes one plane at a time.

8. They got off the plane 11 am the next morning.

9. Only the passengers, the crew stayed in a hotel.

10. They donated money to support local students through a scholarship.

“His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle.”

“Further announcements will made in due course.”

“The royal family join with people around the world in mourning his loss.”

Boris Johnson said he “inspired the lives of countless young people”.

The duke had suffered failing health in recent years, and retired from royal duties in 2017.

In March, the Duke of Edinburgh left hospital after a month-long stay for treatment.

He underwent a procedure for a pre-existing heart condition at another London hospital – St Bartholomew’s.

The prince married Princess Elizabeth in 1947, five years before she became Queen, and was the longest-serving royal consort in British history.

Prince Philip and the Queen had four children, eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Their first son, the Prince of Wales, Prince Charles, was born in 1948, followed by his sister, the Princess Royal, Princess Anne, in 1950, the Duke of York, Prince Andrew, in 1960 and the Earl of Wessex, Prince Edward, in 1964.

Prince Philip was born on the Greek island of Corfu on 10 June 1921.

His father was Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark, a younger son of King George I of the Hellenes.

His mother, Princess Alice, was a daughter of Lord Louis Mountbatten and a great-granddaughter of Queen Victoria.

source: BBC, ABC News