Category: Culture

New York’s Top 5 Cocktail Bars

The Big Apple has more than appletinis to offer when it comes to cocktail bars. For years, Prohibition-themed speakeasy-lookalikes have cropped up all over New York and then luxury bars with swanky modern décor and brand name connections swaggered in. Others started out small but have built years of reputation, while yet others are known for the food that is paired so well with house creations. Nevertheless, as the years have rolled by, few cocktail bars have continued to be heaped praises by critics, locals and tourists alike like these five.

PDT

No mention of Please Don’t Tell (PDT) starts without some phone booth pop culture reference – after all, PDT is hidden behind one in East Village. Till now, PDT maintains its below-the-radar theme of exclusivity: you can only get in with a phone reservation. If you think the exclusivity means dining on fine cuisine while trying out cocktails, you’re mistaken. Bartender-mixologist Jim Meehan’s creations have been paired for years with the hot dogs of Crif Dogs, a burger joint that shares space with PDT. The classic wieners and deep-fried beef frankfurter that are served through slots in the door by Crif’s kitchen staff, are scarfed down with potent cocktails like the bacon-flavoured bourbon mixed with maple syrup, or the heady bourbon-absinthe union. PDT’s décor is cosy, from the low lights and ceilings to the animal skins adorning the walls and leather booths.

http://pdtnyc.com/

Booker and Dax

Momofuku chef David Chang and food science researcher Dave Arnold collaborated to launch this cocktail science lab. Walk in expecting gadgets galore, and a helpful staff to explain each and every piece of lab wizardry to you. Besides centrifuges and clarifiers, you can watch the bartender chill your glass with liquid nitrogen or heat up your cognac with a flaming poker. Why don’t your drinks need ice and how does the rotary evaporator infuse flavour in your liquid mad scientist creation? Booker and Dax maintains a seating only policy, so the place fills up quickly, as patrons watch as drinks are concocted while dining on delectable offerings by the adjoined Momoofuku Ssäm Michelin-approved restaurant.

http://momofuku.com/new-york/booker-and-dax/

Milk & Honey

Though it started in a nondescript lane in Chinatown with a reservations-only policy and a secret phone number in 2000, this bar has since then embraced its hot-ticket status, made the number public, and welcomed walk-ins. Nevertheless, Milk & Honey continues to take creativity to new levels by maintaining its no cocktail-menu rule. You tell the bartenders what you feel like having, what mood you’re in and what tastes you’re going for, and watch as they cook up something lip-smacking on the spot. Some house classics include the honey-bourbon Gold Rush or the ginger-and-Scotch Penicillin, created by legendary barman Sam Ross. Cocktails are called up using the freshest ingredients and top scotches like Famous Grouse and Islay-based dark whisky. Mil & Honey comfortably sits around 60, and the atmosphere makes it perfect for drinks with friends and allows for pleasant conversations. It 2014 they recently relocated to a bigger premises in the Flatiron district.

http://www.mlkhny.com/

Dead Rabbit

Al Capone would feel at home in the Depression-era themed Dead Rabbit, which is itself named after an Irish mob. Besides an extensive 70 cocktails in the menu, craft beer, whiskies and liqueurs abound at the taproom. It houses a grocery store too, Irish like the Belfast-born man behind the bar, Jack McGarry. McGarry has often been cited as the British import that has most revolutionised the taste buds of New York’s cocktail connoisseurs for his wide repertoire of creations. You can savour your punch in dainty teacups, or try the fruit-flavoured house Byrrh, which has hints of raspberry, orange, lemon, and rhubarb highlighted by Amaro CioCiaro.

http://www.deadrabbitnyc.com/

Clover Club

Who better to give a thumb up that award-winning barman McGarry at Dead Rabbit, who has called Brooklyn’s Clover Club. Patrons are put at ease, as Clover Club is dressed simply like a modern cocktail bar when you can drink a beer or a whisky – out of nine categories of drinks available – and yet feel right at home. Mixologist and multiple cocktail bar owner Julie Reiner leads her team in creating cocktails that have understated excellence. There are no gadgetry or strange ingredients involved, but all taste superb and are cheaper than the competition. The culinary delights range from cheap pub classics like pulled pork and steak and toast to pricey American caviar and an extensive cheese plate.

http://www.cloverclubny.com/

A hermit kingdom run by a totalitarian leader who wields absolute powers, North Korea is what Russia was under Stalin. It is a country where you cannot really know what it offers and even though the government paints a different picture of the country being open to tourists, North Korea has never been the same since Korean War ended 60 years back. Compared to her southern neighbor, South Korea the northern republic has often been isolated in the international stage only keeping close to her allies considered to be pro-Communism.

The North Korean society is not that open and in a state where even the top authority in the land has a grip on the lives of its ordinary citizens, things are different especially compared to a more westernized country. In recent years, the state of affairs in the country has improved with more tourists being encouraged to visit the country. Under the leadership of Kim Jong Un, Kim Jong Il’s son, the North Korean government is slowly offering a friendly hand to other nations. North Koreans are being encouraged to adopt things you would only associate with capitalism. Now you can find many computers in some buildings in the capital Pyong Yang and other cities. These are machines that were forbidden. Internet accessibility is however still limited. Centers like the North Hamgyong Provincial E-Library, offer North Korean students with an opportunity to use computers and other Microsoft features.

When it comes to technology, the North Koreans have made a significant steps in terms of mobile connectivity. They still lag behind to their South Korean counterparts where almost everyone owns a mobile phone but slowly more North Koreans are acquiring handsets. Sixty years after the war that divided the two countries in the Korean peninsula. Now many people can buy Smartphones and tablets and use them over a 3G network that covers the whole country. Smartpohones can be found in various upscale shops in North Korean cities. Android tablets are also available. Like other Smartphones, most of these android devices have internet browsers. There is however no Wi-Fi system. Most android handsets have Korean-English dictionaries and e-books that praise the ruling Kim family and the communist government. For international calls, most Network providers in North Korea offer 2G Network services. This is a good sign as the country looks to gain lost ground and keep up with the rest of the world.

Things have however remained dire especially when it comes to human rights matters. Nothing has changed much after the death of Kim Jung Il, the father of the current leader. Cases of wrongful detention, torture, arbitrary arrest and ill-treatment of political detainees are still common. Human rights leaders all over the world have remained hopeful but there is nothing positive in sight yet. The rights of many North Koreans have been and are being violated and with no international watch dog in the country it is not easy to know the facts. Such problems continue to haunt the People’s Democratic Republic of North Korea as the government is not keen on ending such atrocities.

Much has been said about the North Korean government but less information is given about the ordinary North Koreans. Even the tourists who are allowed in the country interact less with the people. According to the North Korean authorities, tourists cannot take pictures of the locals without their consent. The main reasoning behind this may be mere propaganda where the North Korean leadership only wants Western tourists to see exactly what they want them to see. A tourist can take photos of smiling locals gathered in neat homes but it is rare to see something negative about an ordinary North Korean put in picture form. This has not deterred tourists from visiting the country with increased numbers of westerners going to the socialist nation. This has increased the country’s revenue which the tourist officials attribute to its efforts in portraying the country as a safe and friendly tourist destination.

Food shortage has been common problem in North Korea and it seems that the revenue gained from tourism cannot stem this. This has further led to deterioration of the healthcare system. Despite all this, in some sections of the Pyong Yang the North Korean capital, people seem to enjoy high living standards. In a center like Rason where an economic zone modeled to the Chinese systems was established, North Koreans are economically empowered. This may however not be the case in other least developed parts on the country. Generally, much remain to be seen of the North Korean situation going into the future.

Population of country 24.76 million people (2012)

Area of North Korea 120,540 sq. kilometers

Located on the continent Asia (AS)

Capital of North Korea Pyongyang

Currency at North Korea Won (KPW)

Domain Zone .kp

Phone country code 850

FIPS code of North Korea KN

 

Indonesia is a country that has numerous temples. In fact, few countries in the world can rival Indonesia as far as the number of temples is concerned. Although it is impossible to include all of them in this article, we are going to look at some of the most famous in Indonesia. Emphasis has been put on the most famous of these religoius structures. As such, this piece offers a glimpse of temples in Indonesia.

1. Candi Asu

The Candi Asu is part of the Sengi Complex that was erected between the 8th and 9th centuries. It is a Hindu temple that is situated between Central Java and Yogyakarta. It has an external wall as the base and an internal wall as the foundation. Sandwiched between the two walls are about two meters of rocks and earth to the very top. The remaining space is dedicated to statutes. It is one of the most famous temples not only in Indonesia but also across the entire Hindu community around the world.

2. The Dieng temples

The Dieng Temples are a group of 7th century temples located in the Dieng plateau. The plateau has some eight Hindu temples. They are among the oldest temples that still exist in the entire Java. Attempts by historians to uncover the real name of these temples have been futile. Establishing the history of the temples and the king who oversaw their construction has not been possible. The temples are closely built in three groups. They are namely Gatotkaca, Dwarawati, and Arjuna clusters. The Bima temple was constructed as a separate single temple.

3. The Jawi temple

This temple stands on the eastern slopes of Mount Welirang. It is about thirty-one kilometers to the west of Pasuruan city. The temple was especially dedicated as a mortuary to king Kertanegara. It is also believed that the ashes of the same king are preserved in two other temples. The compound on which the temple is located measures about 40 by 60 square meters. Further, it is enclosed in brick walls that are about 2 meters high. The structure is a tall and narrow shape with a pinnacle at the very top. The total height of the monumental structure is about twenty four meters. With main stairs facing east, its doors are made of cella.

4. The Kimpulan Temple

This Hindu temple belongs to the 9th and 10th century. The temple was buried about five meters beneath the ground. Of recent, parts of the temple have been excavated, unmasking the real shape and architectural design. This temple remained unknown until 2009 when during an excavation work it was accidentally discovered. Its unmasking drew a lot of excitement and curiosity not only in Indonesia but also across the whole world. It was during the construction of a university library that it was discovered. The news of its discovery spread like wild fire across the world and sightseers trooped to the spot to marvel at the forgotten structure. It was also a juicy headline for many a global newspaper.

5. The Mother Temple of Besakih

The exact origins of this temple are not clear. Scholars however concur that it belongs to the prehistoric times. It is believed that the temple has been existence for well over 2000 years. The structure is erected on the southern slopes of mount Agung, the main volcano of Bali. The Mother Temple is actually a great complex that consists of twenty-two temples that stand on parallel terraces. The Pura Penataran Agung ios the central complex in the chain of temples. Seventy festivals are held at the temple every year. This is because almost every shrine has an annual anniversary to be observed. Anyone visiting this great temple should very careful since it is noted for various syndicates. The syndicate imposes exorbitant fees in the guise of hiring tour guides. Some sly cons also offer special prayers and ask to be paid for them. You should simply ignore them.

6. The Sukuh temple

The Sukuh temple is famous for its scholastic themes. It offers education on sexuality and life before birth. The main monument there is a pyramid with statues and reliefs in front of it. Unlike other temples that boast a lot of yeas, the Sukuh temple is much younger as it was constructed in the fifteenth century. It is located on the slopes of Mount Lawi.

Although psychopaths have existed among us since the beginning of mankind, the cases of psychopathy seem to be on the rise. Close family, friends, and relatives are becoming victims of this personality disorder. Psychopathy is basically an antisocial behavior where an individual has little guilt, shame, or remorse on something he/she has done. The individual lacks the mental capacity or personal character to fully appreciate his actions. Other than lacking remorse, a person will also portray poor behavioral control as well as having fearless dominance.

Causes of Psychopathy

Although a lot of research has been done and is still ongoing, a conclusive paper is yet to be drafted on what actually causes this personal trait. Scientists and counselors always place a number of reasons as the main contributors. This will depend on the extent and also the symptoms portrayed. But generally the causes are categorized under the following groups:

• Social aspects: – The nature of society will influence a person to becoming a psychopath. A community which is highly unstable or disorderly usually has a higher number of psychos compared to an orderly society.
• Environmental factors: – The environment surrounding a person may also determine if a person will become a psycho. Regions affected by wars, political instability, or civil unrest can influence psychopathy.
• Biological or genetic contributors: – The personal disorder is also believed to be hereditary or passed through genes. This explains the reason why some families are known to be full of psychos.

Negative Aspects of the Disorder

Psychopaths will always leave a trail of destruction in their path. This will range from emotional, social, as well as financial. A psychopath will always get into relationships and get out without prior warning. This will not only hurt the immediate person, but also other people close to the victim. For instance, a person having intimate relationship with a psychopath is more likely to suffer a broken heart as compared to a person going out with a normal person. The lack of sympathy or empathy also makes the person feel unaccountable for any wrongdoing. Hence may go ahead and inflict physical pain in the spur of the moment and will never apologize. He may also affect you financially without feeling any remorse.

Dealing with Psychopathy

As nature would have it, these individuals’ needs to coexist with us for the society to function. It is just like wet and dry, day or night, or good and bad. Coping with psychos entails observing an individual for a considerable period of time. This is usually carried out by people close to him. It is not very easy to monitor since just like any other behavior it will keep on changing based on the environment as well as other triggers. Treating this condition is like feeding a lion hoping to turn it into a vegetarian. Helping the victims contain the situations is the best way-out. However, when the mannerism is too severe, detachment is also used to bring back order. Medical psychology is also becoming a popular way of addressing this personal character.

Do Psychopaths Offer Any Benefits?

Don’t laugh…Although psychopathy is generally regarded as a negative mannerism, there are some instances that it may come in handy. Situations that involve a lot of emotions and danger will be better addressed by a psychopath. Take the case of military engagement, a psycho will go out to war and perform his duty with little remorse or fear. An ordinary person may hold back despite the training hence failing in his duty. Due to their lack of fear, psychopaths are better suited to carry out certain tasks that seem too perilous or emotional for an ordinary person.

The term sociopath is always being used alongside or instead of psychopathy. This is due to the close relationship between the personal character and the social order. Although the disorder is personal, it will always have negative impacts on the people around the psychopath. More often than not, he will be contravening the social norms or order hence causing anomie or social disorder. This has been one of the main reasons that have lead to medics and therapists to seeking a solution to the negative impacts that crop up from the behavior portrayed by psychopaths. A positive outcome will ensure there is orderliness in the environment or society.

Banksy Brilliance

If you’ve taken the time to feast your eyes upon the street art of Banksy, then consider yourself privileged. Of course there must be a difference of opinion, it defines the purpose of art, but there is no disputing this man is good. Hearing his name is now associated with Banksy the modern Picasso.

Style

Picasso’s style can definitely be seen in Banksy’s work, as with all great artists, inspiration usually starts with what you see beforehand. If you look closely then you will see some Dali mixed in there as well, but it screams original on so many levels just like blind piano players. His vision is captivating and engaging. The chance of somebody not noticing while walking by is very slim compared to most street graffiti that can be seen. It’s in your face but not forced. The big difference between the legends and this modern style is communication. Banksy is social, making people look without demanding attention; whereas the greats were more introverted and less aggressive.

Creativity

Da Vinci, Picasso, Dali were amongst the most creative artist in their time. What can be said about Banksy? Better yet, have you seen it before? The modern mediums for this artist are by no means easy to work with. Given the time limit he has to finish his work and the material he is using, he never stops astounding or entertaining the media. Even though his graffiti is illegal, some of his pieces have been sold by the owners of the walls they are painted on.

Message

Another big difference comes to light. Banksy likes to use the written word for a variety of pieces, which you won’t find with the legends. He is an activist although not all his work is political. There is a great measure of personal mood and emotion, fired by passion to grab some attention and actually get the viewer to think. The brilliant irony and truths are short and powerful. A true artist has all the freedom in the world according to this anonymous villain.

It would seem like Banksy’s faceless persona play’s a big part. Many people would agree that the temptation to become world famous usually outweighs the initial intent to create. Thus far he has stood strong at staying infamous instead. Apart from adding mystery to his work, he gains respect for his attempt to keep the focus on the pieces. If there is any hope for sparking new life into art then this is it.

Is Banksy the modern Picasso? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. It would be best to not make the comparison at all, seeing as Banksy is in a league of his own, just like Picasso. The main result and objective for any artist is to stand out from the crowd and not be related back to someone else. It might seem like a compliment, but it’s not. Banksy is an original. Street graffiti and art will never be the same thanks to this man. Maybe there could be a self-portrait someday, no-one will know.

Jajangmyeon, also known as the “korean spaghetti” is a very popular dish in Korea as well as all around the world. It’s best known for its easy to prepare and delicious meal. Jajangmyeon is a noodle dish topped with a thick sauce made of chunjang (a salty black soybean paste), diced pork and vegetables. Koreans love to eat this especially when they are busy at work because of its “easy to prepare ingredients” and deliciously yummy experience. Jajangmyeon is indeed one of the best dishes in Korea.

Everybody loves Korean food. Jajangmyeon is not only popular in Korea. All around the world this dish is everyone’s favorite. The dish is really yummy and delicious. The pork in jajanmyeon goes well with the sauce as well as the vegetables. You’ll get all the nutrients here. Jajangmyeon has a unique taste as well. It’s safe to say that children of all ages love the taste of Jajangmyeon.

Here are the ingredients:

• 7 TBSP oil (I used olive to be healthier)
• 7 TBSP Black Bean Paste AKA Chunjang 춘장
• 2 medium sized onions
• 250 g of ground pork (but we’re using 300g of pork because booyaa)
• 1/4 TSP ground black pepper (or add more to taste)
• 1/2 TBSP Sugar
• 1 TBSP Oyster Sauce (I used chili oyster sine I like spice)
• 2 Cups of Water or low sodium Broth
• Fresh noodles, preferably kalguksu 칼국수 noodles (4 servings)
• For The Thickener:
• 1 TBSP Potato starch
• 2 TBSP cold water

 

Here’s some instructions on how to do it. First, bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the potatoes until just easily pierced with a knife, being careful not to overcook them, about 10 minutes. Add the zucchini and cook for 1 minute. With a slotted spoon, transfer the vegetables to a sieve or colander and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking. Add the noodles to the boiling water and cook according to the package directions. Drain and set aside. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over high heat. Add the pork belly, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring now and then, until browned and crispy and all the fat is rendered, about 7 minutes. Remove the pork with a slotted spoon to a paper towel–lined plate and discard all but 2 tablespoons of the fat from the skillet.

Then add the onion to the skillet and cook until beginning to soften and brown around the edges, about 2 minutes. Add the potatoes and zucchini, a pinch of salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, the black bean paste, 3/4 cup water, and the reserved cooked pork and stir to combine. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for 10 minutes.Divide the cooked noodles evenly among 4 serving bowls and evenly ladle the black bean sauce over the noodles. Garnish each bowl with the cucumber and a pinch of red pepper powder.