11 of Europe's most bizarre buildings As one of the only remaining symbols of the 1958 Brussels World Fair, this extraordinary structure, conceptualized by late engineer André Waterkeyn, represents an iron crystal magnified 165 billion times. It features nine spheres interconnected by 20 tubes. While three spheres contain either permanent or temporary exhibitions from around the world, it's the highest, at 92 meters (300 feet), that offers a spectacular panoramic view of the city. Capturing visitors' imaginations with its progressive vision of the future, Atomium receives an average of 600,000 visitors each year. (Image: Courtesy Atomium © www.atomium.be - SABAM 2012 - Frankinho) Inaugurated in 2008 with the inconspicuous job of housing offices (official name, Office Center 1000), this remarkable building features more than 4,000 tiles of enameled glass, all pieced together like a puzzle. Widely known as La Pedrera (The Quarry), this iconic building recently celebrated its centennial year. Atomium, Brussels 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
A Washing Machine That Fits in Your Pocket | Technology on GOOD Designed for travelers—whether they're backpacking in Yosemite or on a business trip—the Scrubba is a tiny bag that washes clothes with no electricity and little water. The idea was born when an Australian adventurer, Ash Newland, was planning a trip to Africa with a friend. Because of all of the equipment they had to carry, from tents and sleeping bags to cold-weather gear, they could only take a couple of changes of clothes along. They realized if they carried a plastic bag, they could soak the clothing overnight, and Newland suggested they could take it a step further, and build a flexible washboard into the bag itself. Yes, this is a tiny version of the washboard your great-grandmother might have used if she lived in the United States in the 1800s (similar tools are still in use in many parts of the world). Newland says the Scrubba can also serve other uses—keeping clothes dry while you're in wet conditions, for example, or, if it's filled with air, serving as a pillow.
100 little things that travel has taught me Travel has been one of my most valuable teachers. Rather than sit in a classroom and learn about the world through a someone else’s eyes, I did it through adventures and misadventures, tears and laughter. I know I still have so much to discover, but here are some lessons that sometimes I had to learn the hard way. Some of them I already kinda knew, some I are silly, some are serious, some are obvious, and some are embarrassing. 1. 21. 28. 43. 60. 80. 95. What are some lessons you have learned from travel? photo credits: katja hentschel: polaroid, laptop, insects, waterfall girl; mrsdkrebs: tattoo map, littlelakes: coconut, fmgbains: flowers, all others: author’s own * post written by Kyra Bramble. Tags: backpacking, beach, camping, clothes, food, fun, inspiration, lessons, links, party, people, personal experiences, shopping, tips, traveling