Month: February 2024

Five Weird Laws In Egypt

- Roshan

1. Sharing an apartment or hotel room with an Egyptian of the opposite sex if youā€™re not married

Egyptian regulations require that any Egyptian man or woman sharing a room or apartment with a member of the opposite sex have a marriage certificate. If youā€™re a foreigner and your partner or friend or whomever you plan to share a room with is foreign too, then you donā€™t need a marriage certificate and youā€™re totally fine. Nationality is obviously proven by passport. For example, a hotel in Egypt wonā€™t allow an Egyptian passport-holder and a foreign passport-holder couple to share the same room, but they would allow two foreign passport-holders. You can also share hotel rooms & apartments with Egyptian friends of the same sex without any issue.

2. The rainbow flag

In 2017 there was an uproar in Egypt over the raising of the rainbow flag at a music concert. Homosexuality isnā€™t *technically* illegal in Egypt, but many of the LGBTQ community have been questioned and arrested under ā€œdebauchery lawsā€. Many Egyptians view homosexuality as immoral and a crime, and after the 2017 concert the rainbow flag was banned alongside any media statements that supported homosexuality. This does not mean at all that gay or LGBTQ tourists shouldnā€™t come to Egypt. It just means that vocally supporting homosexuality or waving the rainbow flag in a public setting isnā€™t the smartest thing to do. PDA between gay couples in public spaces is also something you should definitely try to avoid.

3. Bringing certain medications into the country

There was a recent brouhaha when a British tourist was arrested in Hurghada Airport for bringing in 290 tablets of the painkiller Tramadol. While Tramadol is legal in the UK, itā€™s banned in Egypt due to the large amount of people who abuse it as a substitute for heroin. If thereā€™s certain prescription medications you *must* bring with you into the country, make sure that a) you donā€™t bring in a large quantity, just the amount you need, and b) that you have a medical certificate from your doctor. Egypt offers a huge array of medication over the counter so itā€™s very easy to procure basic meds, painkillers, antibiotics, heart medicine, etc.

4. Drinking on Islamic holidays (except in hotels)

During the month of Ramadan and a couple other days of the year (Islamic New Year, for example), the restaurants and bars of the city become dry, meaning itā€™s illegal for them to serve alcohol to anyone, including foreigners. Even retail shops like Drinkies will be closed for the full month of Ramadan; for the singular days, the ban on alcohol usually lasts for 24 hours, from sunset to sunset. The exception to this is hotels. If youā€™re a foreign-passport holder, youā€™re allowed to drink alcohol in hotel restaurants, bars, the lobby, your room, etc.

5. Severely criticizing Egypt publicly or on social media (while youā€™re in the country)

This is a relatively new case so weā€™re not sure to what extent the government cracks down on public bad-mouthers, but weā€™ll give you the heads up anyway. In June 2018 a Lebanese tourist was sentenced to 8 years in prison because she posted a Facebook video calling Egypt a ā€œson of a bitch countryā€. She was arrested at Cairo Airport prior to her flight home. So our advice to you would be, that no matter your *personal* thoughts on the country, keep it cute while youā€™re on Egyptian soil and then let it rip once youā€™re back home (but hopefully that wonā€™t be the case!!!)

RIP Andreas Brehme

- Roshan

Former German international footballer and coach Andreas Brehme has passe away at the age of 63. The World Cup winner scored a late penalty, an 85th-minute penalty kick, in the 1990 final against Argentina in Italy handed Germany their third world title. At club level, Brehme played for several teams in Germany, and also had spells in Italy and Spain. A versatile attackingĀ full-backĀ with an eye for goal, Brehme was capable of playing anywhere along the flank on either side of the pitch, and was known for hisĀ crossingĀ ability, ambidexterity, and his accuracy fromĀ free-kicksĀ andĀ penalties, possessing a powerful shot.

Andreas Brehme was born inĀ HamburgĀ and started his career with the city’s local sideĀ HSV Barmbek-Uhlenhorst. Brehme played forĀ 1. FC KaiserslauternĀ from 1981 to 1986, before moving toĀ Bayern Munich, where he played from 1986 to 1988, winning theĀ BundesligaĀ in 1987. After that, he joined Italian sideĀ Inter Milan, playing there from 1988 to 1992, alongside compatriotsĀ Lothar MatthƤusĀ andĀ JĆ¼rgen Klinsmann, and winning theĀ Serie AĀ in 1989 ā€“ also being named player of the year ā€“ and theĀ UEFA Cup in 1991. He also won the German league title with Bayern Munich while also lifting the Serie A trophy and a UEFA Cup with Inter.

Brehme played the 1992ā€“93 season at Real Zaragoza in La Liga, before returning to Germany once again in 1993 to play for Kaiserslautern once again. He won the German Cup with the club in 1996, although they suffered relegation during the same season; nevertheless, Brehme remained with the team even when they were relegated, playing a key role in the side’s immediate promotion the following season. After subsequently winning the Bundesliga with the club in 1998, Brehme ended his playing career as a footballer after having played 301 matches. As a member of theĀ (West) Germany national team, Brehme took part atĀ UEFA Euro 1984, theĀ 1984 Summer Olympics, theĀ 1986 FIFA World Cup,Ā UEFA Euro 1988, theĀ 1990 FIFA World Cup,Ā UEFA Euro 1992, and theĀ 1994 World Cup; he was named in the team of the tournament at Euro 84, and helped Germany to the semi-finals of Euro 88, on home soil, scoring a goal in the nation’s 1ā€“1 opening draw against Italy.

At Euro 1992, he won a runners-up medal, and Brehme won a runners-up medal at theĀ 1986 FIFA World Cup, as Germany lost theĀ finalĀ toĀ Argentina, yet he won theĀ World CupĀ inĀ 1990Ā against the same opponents, later being named to the competition’s All-star team. Brehme’s last of his 86 caps for the national team came during theĀ 1994 FIFA World Cup, which ended with a disappointing quarter-final exit for his team after a loss against Bulgaria. After retiring from football, Brehme went on to become a coach. He managed his former club 1. FC Kaiserslautern from 2000 to 2002, when he was dismissed because his team was in danger of being relegated. He then managedĀ 2. BundesligaĀ sideĀ SpVgg Unterhaching, but was released from his contract in April 2005, again because the club was in danger of being relegated. He was then assistant coach alongsideĀ Giovanni TrapattoniĀ atĀ VfB Stuttgart, but both were sacked after only a few months at the club.

His former clubs Inter Milan, Kaiserslautern & Bayern Munich released statements on social media in his tribute after he suffered a cardiac arrest.

Some Facts About Lunar New Year/Chinese New Year

- Roshan

1. Chinese New Year is also called “Spring Festival”.

Though in winter, Chinese call their New Year holidays ‘Spring Festival’ (?? ch?njiĆ© /chwnn-jyeah/), because ‘Start of Spring’ (4Ā February) is the first of the terms in the traditionalĀ solar calendar. While wintry weather prevails, ‘Start of Spring’ marks the end of the coldest part of winter when the Chinese traditionally could look forward to the beginning of spring.

2. It is a festival for 1/4 of the world’s population.

Over 2 billion people celebrate Chinese New Year in some way, even if it’s just a national acknowledgment. These countries have public holidays during Chinese New Year: China, Indonesia, The Philippines, Vietnam, South Korea, Malaysia, North Korea, Singapore, and Brunei. More and more Western cities celebrate this festival in recent years, like New York, London, Vancouver, and Sydney.

3. The Chinese New Year date changes each year.

The date for Chinese New Year changes each year. It always falls between January 21 and February 20 and is determined by the Chinese lunar calendar. In 2024,Ā Chinese New YearĀ will fall on Feb 10th. See more aboutĀ Chinese New Year Dates.

4. Every Chinese New Year starts a new animal’s zodiac year.

There are 12 Chinese zodiac animals. In order, the 12 animals are Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. 2024Ā isĀ a year of the Dragon. Your zodiac animal is decided by your birth year.

5. The festival is celebrated for 16 days till the Lantern Festival.

Traditionally, the 16 days fromĀ Chinese New Year’s EveĀ untilĀ the Lantern Festival each had a special celebration activity. On the evening of the 15th day of the first lunar month, on the night of the full moon, families gather for dinner and go out and see fireworks and light lanterns. Lanterns are put up for decoration, let loose to fly, and floated in rivers.

6. This period is a time to offer sacrifices to Gods and ancestors.

Praying is one of the more important activities during Chinese New Year. People pray to gods and ancestors. Many Chinese people visit ancestors’ graves on the day before the Chinese New Year’s day, and offer sacrifices to ancestors before the reunion dinner

7. On Chinese New Year’s Eve, people eat auspicious foods.

Certain foods are eaten during the Chinese New Year period purely for their symbolic meaning. This includes dumplings, eaten because they represent wealth. The more dumplings you can eat, the more money you will make in the new year. Fish is eaten because the word for fish in Chinese, (? YĆŗ /yoo/) sounds like ‘surplus’. Oranges and tangerines are displayed because they are believe to bring good luck and fortune due to their pronunciation and characters.

8. Red decorations are everywhere during the Chinese New Year.

You might know that red is a lucky color in China, representing many positive things such as happiness, beauty, vitality, good luck, success, and good fortune, but did you know that almost everything is red during Chinese New Year? Apart from the red envelopes, decorations, and spring couplets hung up outside people’s homes are red. You’ll also see lanterns everywhere, as well as red paper cuttings. SeeĀ the Top 7 Decorations during Chinese New Year.

Five Signs Your Job Isn’t for You

- Roshan

1. Values Do Not Align

When employees’ core values are out of sync, there are key signs of disengagement: decreased health, low productivity, complaining, inadequate nutrition, and lack of pride. If you notice that your values do not align with the companyā€™s culture or values, it may be a sign that you are not employed at a business that is the best fit for you.

2. You Have No Idea How Your Role Impacts the Company

The best way to determine whether your job is a good fit is to know your role in the company and the impact of your work on the company’s bottom line. Are you pleased with the way your skills are being utilized? Have you figured out how your role impacts the firm? If not, you’re most probably not a perfect fit for the position. Instead of leaving, look for a way to make the position match your strengths in a way that you feel like you impact the firm.

3. Your Daily Activities Do Not Match the Job Description

Employers frequently define job titles. However, these descriptions often do not fit the roles individuals perform. People fill jobs based on what they read in job descriptions, not what they do. Discuss what you think of the role and its differences from what you thought it would be. Once you are certain that the job is not what you expected, embrace it as a new opportunity to seek employment elsewhere.

4. You Feel Negative About Work

When you are not able to derive joy from your work or when you cannot feel good about finishing a task or being happy when a new one is offered, you should recognize that your skills and interests are not appropriate for the job. You might, for example, experience negative effects such as apathy, sluggishness, or uneasiness about your work.

5. You Have Lost Your Passion

When your dedication to your career and contribution to the company no longer motivates you each day, you have thus far verified that you are in the wrong job. Family demands, a difficult boss, and other inconveniences may cause your passion for work and involvement to disappear. Look for any way to re-energize your enthusiasm. If not, it might be time to change jobs.

Some Facts About Ganymede; A Moon of Jupiter

- Roshan

Jupiterā€™s moon Ganymede is the largest moon in our solar system, bigger than the planet Mercury and dwarf planet Pluto. NASAā€™s Hubble Space Telescope has found the best evidence yet for anĀ underground saltwater ocean on Ganymede. The ocean is thought to have more water than all the water on Earth’s surface. Ganymedeā€™s ocean is estimated to be 60 miles (100 kilometers) thick ā€“ 10 times deeper than Earth’s ocean ā€“ and is thought to be buried under a 95-mile- (150-kilometer-) thick crust of mostly ice. Identifying liquid water is crucial in the search for habitable worlds beyond Earth, and in the search for life as we know it.

Ganymede is the only moon known to have itsĀ own magnetic fieldĀ ā€“ a discovery made by NASAā€™s Galileo spacecraft in 1996. The magnetic field causes auroras, which are ribbons of glowing, hot, electrified gas, in regions circling the north and south poles of the moon. Because Ganymede is close to Jupiter, its magnetic field is embedded in, or lies within, Jupiterā€™s magnetic field.

When Jupiterā€™s magnetic field changes, the auroras on Ganymede also change,Ā ā€œrockingā€ back and forth. It was by watching the rocking motion of the two auroras, that a team of scientists led by Joachim Saur of the University of Cologne in Germany came up with the idea of using the Hubble space telescope to learn more about the inside of the moon.

Discovery and Name

Ganymede was discovered by Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei on Jan. 7, 1610. The discovery, along with his discovery of three other large moons around Jupiter, was the first time a moon was discovered orbiting a planet other than Earth. The discovery eventually led to the understanding that planets in our solar system orbit the Sun, instead of our solar system revolving around Earth. (Jupiter now has 53 named moonsĀ and 26 provisional moons awaiting confirmation of discovery).

In mythology, Ganymede (“GAN uh meed”) was a beautiful young boy who was carried to Olympus by Zeus (the Greek equivalent of the Roman god Jupiter) disguised as an eagle. Ganymede became the cupbearer of the Olympian gods.

Potential for Life

A computer model of Ganymedeā€™s interior created in 2014 supported the idea that the development of primitive life might be possible there. The model indicated the icy moonā€™s rocky sea bottom might be in contact with salt water. Scientists think water and rock interacting are key for the development of life.

Size and Distance

Ganymede has a radius of 1,635 miles (2,631 kilometers) and is the largest moon in our solar system. Itā€™s bigger than Mercury and Pluto. Ganymede is aboutĀ 665,000 miles (1.07 million kilometers) from Jupiter, which orbits about 484 million miles (778 million kilometers) from the Sun. Jupiter is 5.2 astronomical units away from the Sun. One astronomical unit (abbreviated as AU) is the distance from the Sun to Earth. From this distance, it takes sunlight 43 minutes to travel from the Sun to the Jovian system.

Orbit and Rotation

Ganymede orbits Jupiter at a distance of 665,000 miles (1,070,000 kilometers), making it third in distance from Jupiter among the Galilean satellites. Ganymede completes an orbit around Jupiter aboutĀ every seven Earth days (7.155). Ganymede orbits the Sun along with Jupiter and its other satellites every 12 Earth years.

Formation

Ganymede and Jupiterā€™s other large moons (Io, Europa, and Callisto) likelyĀ formed from leftover materialĀ after Jupiter condensed out of the initial cloud of gas and dust surrounding the Sun, early in the history of our solar system. Ganymede is likely about the same age as the rest of the solar system ā€“ about 4.5 billion years old.

Atmosphere

Astronomers using the Hubble Space Telescope have found evidence of aĀ thin oxygen atmosphereĀ on Ganymede. The researchers think the oxygen is coming from Ganymedeā€™s icy surface. Ganymede is much colder than Earth, withĀ daytime surface temperatures ranging from -297 to -171 degrees Fahrenheit (90 to 160 Kelvin). Jupiter and its moons receive less than 1/30th the amount of sunlight that the Earth does, and Ganymede doesnā€™t have a dense atmosphere to trap heat.

Burnley 0 Arsenal 5

- Roshan

Kai Havertz said Arsenal are “all in this together” after the Gunners continued their blistering goalscoring form to thrash Burnley and close the gap at the top of the Premier League to two points. Following their 6-0 win at West Ham last week Arsenal were soon among the goals again, captain Martin Odegaard opening the scoring on four minutes with a crisp strike into the bottom corner after Gabriel Martinelli’s pass. Bukayo Saka converted from the spot to double the lead after Lorenz Assignon fouled Leandro Trossard in the box. England forward Saka got his second just after the restart as Arsenal kept up the pace, latching on to a clever Odegaard pass then cutting inside and rifling a shot into the roof of the net.

Havertz’s scuffed effort was blocked in the box but Trossard was alert to curl in for his third goal in as many league games. Jakub Kiwior’s long throw down the line then found an unmarked Havertz, who ghosted in behind the defence and drilled past home goalkeeper James Trafford to complete a comprehensive win for the Gunners. Arsenal, who have 21 goals in five straight wins, move two points behind leaders Liverpool, while Burnley remain in the relegation zone. The Gunners, following up last week’s comprehensive win at London Stadium, have started a calendar year with five consecutive league wins for the first time in their history, and blew Burnley away with their slick football.

And the in-form Gunners may even have scored more at Turf Moor, with Trossard going close on two occasions before he eventually found the net. Havertz continually caused problems by picking up pockets of space with his movement off the ball while Saka, Trossard and Martinelli interchanged in the box to regularly threaten. Odegaard led by example, scoring his first goal since December 2 and providing the assist for Saka’s second strike. Saka has scored in four consecutive league appearances for the first time in his career, netting six across those four games, more than in his previous 19 league games. When Mikel Arteta’s side are on song, they are hard to stop. Goalkeeper David Raya didn’t have a save to make as Arsenal kept consecutive top-flight clean sheets for just the second time this season.

Eight Refreshing Facts About Guinness Stout

- Roshan

Guinness is actually red.

If your typical setting for drinking Guinness is a dimly lit Irish bar, you may not have noticed that Guinness is actually a dark ruby red. The rich color comes from roasted malted barley (which is a similar way coffee beans are roasted).

That small ball in your Guinness can beat out the internet for a technology award.

If you’re an astute drinker, you may have wondered why there is a small, ping-pong-like ball in the bottom of your can of Guinness. No, the manufacturers weren’t playing beer pong when they sealed up your can. It’s actually a Guinness widget that’s working hard to replicate the draught experience in a can.When a Guinness can is popped open, a small amount of beer and nitrogen, which is trapped in the widget, is forced out to create the famous creamy head that you’d expect if your Guinness was poured for you from a tap. The invention is actually very noteworthy: The widget won the Queen’s Award for Technology in 1991ā€”beating out the internet!

Doctors used to prescribe Guinness to patients.

Back in the 1920s, ’30s, and ’40s, advertisers purported that “Guinness is good for you” when marketing this delectable stout. Although this slogan has changed over time and today Diageo, the beverage company that currently owns Guinness, does not make any health claims pertaining to the benefits of this beer, there was a point in history when medical professionals in the UK believed Guinness was a highly nutrient-dense beverage. In fact, doctors would advise pregnant women to imbibe Guinness based on the belief that this dark, heavy beer was an effective way to supply the body with iron, a mineral that expecting mothers require 50% more of than others who are not pregnant. The drink would also be prescribed to post-op patients based on the misconception that Guinness could help restore iron levels.

Guinness may benefit your gut and heart health.

While in actuality this creamy ale contains barely a trace of iron, research suggests that this beer contains large amounts of antioxidants that can help fend off free radicals, B vitamins, prebiotics, and even contains soluble fiber. One 2003 study, which was presented that year at the annual meeting of the American Heart Association even found that a single pint of Guinness could potentially reduce the risk of cardiovascular incidences. But it is not safe for pregnant women to drink.

Three of Guinness’ five breweries are in Africa.

It wouldn’t shock you to learn that Great Britain is where the most Guinness is consumed, but it might surprise you to know that two of the top five Guinness-consuming countries are Nigeria and Cameroon. That’s because Guinness owns five breweries around the world, and they are in Ireland, Malaysia, Nigeria, Ghana, and Cameroon.

Pouring a Guinness beer is a six-step art form that involves a one-minute-59.5-second break.

The proper Guinness pouring process begins with a cool, dry glass. You want to hold the glass at a 45-degree angle beneath the tap’s spout. Pull the handle forward and let the stout flow, filling it up until you reach .75 inches below the top of the glass. Let it settle for precisely 119.5 seconds. Bring the glass to a 45-degree angle again, but push the handle backwardĀ this time until the head is “just proud of the glass.” Don’t let it overflow, and “never use a spatula to level the head.” That’s just blasphemy!

‘The Guinness Book of World Records’ was inspired by an argument in a pub.

Yes, Guinness, the beer is connected to Guinness World Records: “the ultimate authority on record-breaking achievements.” In 1951, the managing director of Dublin’s Guinness brewery, Sir Hugh Beaver, had a pub argument about the fastest game bird in the U.K. The conversation prompted the idea of aĀ reference book about all the “superlatives” debated in pubs. A few years later, the first Guinness Book of World Records was published in 1954.

The original Guinness brewery’s lease runs out in the year 10,759.

In 1759, Guinness’ founding father, Arthur Guinness, agreed to rent an unused brewery at St. James’s Gate, signing aĀ 9,000-year lease for four acres. The annual rent was Ā£45, which is about $60 U.S. dollars. Unfortunately, the lease was nullified after Guinness bought the property outright and expanded to a 50-acre brewery. But “don’t worry, we’re not planning on going anywhere,” theĀ Guinness website jokes. The original lease is still in the archives at the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin.

Eight Weird Laws In Denmark

- Roshan

If the Ɩresund strait freezes and a Swede walks over to Denmark, Danes are allowed to him him with a stick.

It is illegal to make a restaurant customer pay for a glass of water. Itā€™s against the law for restaurants in Denmark to make the customers pay for a glass of water ā€“ unless it is served with something (A slice of lemon, ice cubes).

When driving, you must have someone in front of your car with a flag to warn horse drawn carriages that a motorcar is coming.

There is a fine of 20kr for not reporting when a person has died.

No man may say to his wife that she is ā€œuglier than her motherā€. The penalty is up to 1 year in prison.

No one may start a car while someone is underneath the vehicle.

If your vehicle breaks down and you leave it on the side of the road, you must mark the vehicle with a red, reflecting triangle.

If a person finds a lost child they can claim the child as their own is a parent does not turn up within 2 hours.

What A Mess Of A Day!

- Roshan

Today was a mess.

1. I was running late already and even though I managed to get a cab very quickly, there was a big traffic jam enroute from my home to the office. Hence we had to take a longer route to reach there. But because of the traffic block caused by construction, the smaller roads on the other routes were all very busy and we had minor jams on there as well, making me even more late.

2. Due to a new version or something being released, I and several others could not login to Webex, which is very important for multiple tasks at the office. I struggled the entire day until the last 2 hours when, after I sat with our tech team for more than an hour, it finally got fixed.

3. I had to postpone one 3 hour session I was to conduct after trying in vain to get things setup. The other was delayed a lot.

4. In the end I was about to leave when one of my colleagues said he had bought biryanis for our team in lieu of it being his daughter’s 4th birthday the last week. He wanted to treat us. So I stayed for dinner with the team and then left for home.

Seven Canned Food That Are Pretty Healthy & Good For You

- Roshan

1. Beans : Canned beans include garbanzo beans, pinto beans, black beans, red kidney beans, and lima beans. Theyā€™re not only a staple for vegan and vegetarian diets but also save you a lot of time, as dried beans require hours of soaking before you can cook them.

2. Canned meat and fish : Canned meat and fish are excellent, inexpensive sources of protein. Be sure to buy proteins canned in water or brine, not oil or sauces, for their lower calorie and fat content.

3. Diced tomatoes : Canned diced tomatoes are not only nutritious but also crucial in a number of recipes.

4. Coconut milk : This dairy-free milk substitute is a great, lightly sweet choice for numerous recipes.

5. Baby corn : Corn sometimes gets a bad rap since starchy vegetables like corn, potatoes, and winter squash have more carbs than non-starchy veggies like broccoli, mushrooms, and peppers.

6. Mandarin oranges : Thereā€™s no need to deal with a peel with canned mandarin oranges. This naturally sweet, tangy fruit is bursting with nutrients. Still, to cut down on your intake of added sugar, itā€™s best to buy mandarin oranges canned in juice rather than syrup.

7. Olives : With their distinct flavors and nutrients, olives do more than garnish your martini glass.

Nine Valentine’s Day Traditions From Around The World

- Roshan

1. Argentina ā€“ For A Week Of Sweetness

Argentinians donā€™t celebrate Valentineā€™s Day in Feb, but ā€œthe week of sweetnessā€ in July. Itā€™s the day when lovers exchange kisses and receive chocolates and other sweets. In the country, the day actually started as a commercial invention but later becameĀ Valentineā€™s traditions.

Best Places For A Romantic Dinner:Ā Puerto Madero, Rosedal
Places To Visit:Ā Iguaza Falls, Tierra Del Feugo National Park, Ushuaia
How To Reach:Ā you can fly in and out of Argentina from all the major countries of the world.

2. France ā€“ Epicentre Of Romance

It is believed that the first-ever Valentineā€™s Day card was originated in France, when Charles, the Duke of Orleans, sent love letters to his wife from the prison in 1415. And the French village called ā€œValentineā€ turns into the epicenter of romance between 12th and 14th February. One can see the beautiful yards, trees, and homes decorated with love cards, roses, and proposals for marriage flakes. It probably is the most beautiful Valentineā€™s Day traditions in the world.

Best Places For A Romantic Dinner:Ā NoLita, Benoit
Places To Visit:Ā Paris, Eiffel Tower, Bordeaux, Marseille
How To Reach:Ā Direct & indirect flights both fly from here to all other major international airports of the world.

3. Philippines ā€“ A Gala Event

In the Philippines, Valentineā€™s Day is the time when many young couples marry in an event sponsored by the government as a form of public service. Among the most amazing Valentineā€™s Day celebrations around the world, this one is a gala event in the country and a special day for young people.

Best Places For A Romantic Dinner:Ā The Snack Shack, Hanamaruken Ramen
Places To Visit:Ā Manila, Cebu City, Boracay
How To Reach:Ā One can reach here by air easily.

4. Spain ā€“ Feast Of Saint Dionysus

The day of love in Valencia of Spain falls on 9th Oct. This is known as the feast of Saint Dionysus. The festival is celebrated in most of the parts ofĀ SpainĀ by making ā€˜macadoraā€™, a marzipan figurine. The figurines are made by men to gift to their female companions. One can also witness colorful parades on the streets of the villages of Spain.

Best Places For A Romantic Dinner:Ā Jardin Secreto, Bar Galleta
Places To Visit:Ā Barcelona, Granada, Madrid
How To Reach:Ā A lot of international and domestic flights fly from here, thus commuting through air is a good way to reach Spain.

5. Denmark ā€“ A Celebration Of Love

Although Valentineā€™s Day is one of the newĀ Denmark festivals, the country also celebrates the day of love and romance on 14th Feb with a twist. In Denmark, Valentineā€™s Day is not limited to roses and chocolates. Friends and lovers exchange handmade cards with pressed white flowers that are called snowdrops.

Best Places For A Romantic Dinner:Ā Restaurant GrĆønnegade, Chez Bruno
Places To Visit:Ā Copenhagen, Bornholm, Aarhus
How To Reach:Ā Regular flights fly in and out of Denmark, thus it is convenient for travelers to reach here through air.

6. Japan ā€“ Exchange Of Unique Gifts

Japan does it quite differently. It is celebrated on 14th Feb and women buy gifts and chocolates for their male companions or lovers. Men canā€™t return gifts until March 14, which is called the ā€œwhite dayā€.

Best Places For A Romantic Dinner:Ā Sakura, En ā€“ Japanese restaurant
Places To Visit:Ā Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara
How To Reach:Ā Direct flights fly in and out of Japan. Thus one can reach here via flight easily.

7. Czech Republic ā€“ Celebrate Romance

In the Czech Republic, Valentineā€™s Day has gradually become quite popular among young people. The festival is celebrated on 1st May in the country. On the day, young couples go on a pilgrimage to the statue of the poet Karol Hynek Macha, and kiss under the cherry trees for good luck.

Best Places For A Romantic Dinner:Ā Coda, Le Grill
Places To Visit:Ā Prague, Kutna Hora, Karlovy Vary
How To Reach:Ā One can reach here easily without much hassle, as the airport is connected to majorly all other international airports of the world.

8. Italy ā€“ Popular Day For Couples

Originally Italians celebrated Valentineā€™s day as their spring festival. Another Italian valentineā€™s day tradition was for young, unmarried couples to wake up before dawn to spot their future husband. Today, Italians celebrate by exchanging gifts between lovers and romantic dinners.

Best Places For A Romantic Dinner:Ā Prego, Tonino
Places To Visit:Ā Rome, Venice, Florence
How To Reach:Ā One can reach here via flight, the airport is connected to other major airports of the world.

9. Slovenia ā€“ Show Your Affection

In Slovenia, St Valentine is one of the patron saints of spring. It is believed that on February 14, plants start to regenerate as this day marks the first day of working in the fields for the New Year. There is another popular belief that birds ā€˜proposeā€™ to each other on this day. In order to witness this occasion, one must walk barefoot through fields that are often still frozen.

Best Places For A Romantic Dinner:Ā Restavracija Most, Å pajza Restaurant
Places To Visit:Ā Bled, Istria, Ljublijana
How To Reach:Ā Direct flights fly in and out of this place, one can reach easily here via flights.

5 Budget-friendly Date Ideas For Valentineā€™s Day

- Roshan

1. Enjoy dinner and a movie at home.

Dinner and a movie is a total date night classicā€”but it can get real pricey real quick. Dinner at a nice restaurant means leaving a tip (always tip, especially on holidays!). And movie ticket prices are so high it feels like you ought to at least get a high five from the actors in real life for what you just spent to watch them on the big screen. Hereā€™s how you can take this classic date and give it a thrifty twist. Set up a candlelit dinner at home and watch a romantic movie on whateverĀ streaming serviceĀ you already have. While everyone else is scrambling to find a reservation and a babysitter, you can relax at home.

2. Go on a picnic.

If the weather is nice, get outside. Pack a couple sandwiches or visitĀ Aldi for a bottle of wine and everything you need to make a delicious and budget-friendly charcuterie boardā€“complete with cheese, crackers and fruit. Yum! Then find a quiet spot together to kick back, relax and enjoy each otherā€™s company. You donā€™t have to splurge at a four-star restaurant to connect with your special someone.Ā  And if the weather outside is too cold for a picnic (you know, winter and all), then lay out a blanket, turn on a YouTube fireplace, and have a cozy picnic right there on the living room floor.

3. Have a game night.

This is an ultimateĀ cheap date night. Who doesnā€™t love a good board game and a little friendly competition? Dust off a few classics from your closet or buy (or borrow) a new game. Are video games more your thing? Then you can go that route too. All that gaming will probably make you hungry, so have some Valentineā€™s-themed snacks on hand. Pick up some red velvet cupcakes, candy conversation hearts or the gold standardā€”a heart-shaped box of chocolates.

4. Visit a museum.

Tickets to a local museum usually arenā€™t too crazy expensive. And sometimes you can even find coupons or free culture passes through your local library. Learn a little about art or historyā€”and each otherā€”as you wander through the marble halls. Point out your favorite (and least favorite) pieces. Or, if you want to give the date a fun new twist, make up new names for the artwork or pretend to be stuffy art critics. Combine this idea with your home-cooked dinner and a movie or game night, and youā€™ll have a packed day full of fun.

5. Take a hike or enjoy an easy nature walk.

Pack a lunch, grab a fewĀ water bottlesĀ (or kombucha, for you super healthy people), and hit the trail. Thereā€™s nothing like getting away from the hustle and bustle of daily life and getting into natureĀ to help you connect. Youā€™ll be amazed at the quality of conversation you can have with someone while youā€™re hoofing it up a mountain or moseying along a quiet trail in the woods. And bonus points for all the fresh air and exercise youā€™ll get in. Itā€™s Valentineā€™s Day, after all, so why not get your heart in shape while youā€™re at it? (And if the great outdoors is so not your thingā€”ahem, guiltyā€”a long walk through the neighborhood works too.)

Prompt from 150+ Best Blog Post Ideas for February at HappilyDwell.com

Some Fun Facts About Leap Years

- Roshan
  • The first traces of a 365 day calendar with a leap year was in the Egyptian Empire. The goal of the Egyptians was to create a calendar that mimicked the Solar Calendar allowing them to keep their seasons on track
  • Fast forward about 3,000 years and Julius Caesar, Ruler of the Roman Empire became the modern dayĀ Father of Leap Year
  • Caesar felt it was time to recognize that winter truly existed and created a 12 month 365 day calendar based off that of the Egyptians
  • This new calendar was fabulous for a few years but it was slowly realized that the earth actually has 365.24 days per year as opposed to 365. To correct this, Caesar instituted a Leap Year once every four years to ensure the man-made and solar calendars stayed aligned
  • Some cultures didn’t have leap year on Feb 29thĀ — instead February 24thĀ occurred twice
  • 4 million people in the world are leap day babies
  • Leap day babies are called leapers or leaplings
  • There is a one in 1,461 chance of being a leap day baby
  • Quite a few famous people were born on February 29th
  • Every year divisible by 4 is a leap year
  • But every year divisible by 100 is NOT a leap year
  • Unless the year is also divisible by 400, then it is still a leap year.
  • There will be 8 years between leap years 2096 and 2104
  • Women often choose this day to propose marriage to men
  • Getting married in a leap year is considered bad luck in Greece, so one in five engaged couples try to avoid it