WILD HOLIDAYS

10 Crazy Festivals From Around The World You Have To See To Believe

Image: Adam Whitlock

When it comes to something universally loved worldwide, coming together to celebrate things is undoubtedly one of them. Anniversaries, popular traditions, and historical and religious events are an important part of human culture. Some places, however, take festivities to new heights, pushing the boundaries of social norms with crazy festivals and dangerous traditions.

From ancient traditions to modern-day spectacles, these 10 festivals offer a glimpse into the wonderfully weird tapestry of human culture. Get ready to expand your horizons and maybe even add a few new destinations to your bucket list!

Image: Graham McLellan, CC BY 2.0

Location: Buñol, Spain

For one day in August, the small town of Buñol in Spain becomes ground zero for the world's largest tomato fight. Thousands of participants hurl overripe tomatoes at each other in a messy, yet strangely cathartic, display of pure fun. The tradition originated in the 40s after a spontaneous tomato fight erupted during an unrelated festivity, and after that, it became so popular that everyone in town started to join in.

Image: Jirka Matousek, CC BY 2.0

Location: Boryeong, South Korea

Every summer, the sleepy coastal town of Boryeong in South Korea transforms into a mud-soaked playground during the Boryeong Mud Festival. What started as a promotional event for the town's mineral-rich mud skincare products has evolved into a massive celebration featuring mud pools, mudslides, and even mud skiing competitions.

Image: Takeaway, CC BY-SA 3.0

Location: Thailand

During Songkran—known as the Thai New Year—all Thailand engages in a country-wide water fight. Locals and tourists take to the streets armed with hoses and buckets, ready to douse each other with water in a symbolic cleansing ritual. Originating as a celebration of harvest and springtime, people traditionally throw water on images of Buddha or statues in Buddhist temples.

Image: Tara Raye

Location: Castrillo de Murcia, Spain

In the village of Castrillo de Murcia in Spain, an unusual tradition takes place during the week-long festivities of Corpus Christi, a strange ritual known as El Colacho in Spanish, or "Baby Jumping". As part of the ritual, men dressed as devils jump over rows of babies born in the past year that lie on mattresses in the street. The tradition is believed to cleanse them of sin and protect them from evil spirits.

Image: Vfbia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Location: Ivrea, Italy

In a similar fashion to the Spanish Tomatina, the Carnival of Ivrea includes a traditional orange battle, where organized teams fight each other by throwing oranges. However, the festivity goes back to medieval times, as it commemorates the city’s successful rebellion against a local tyrant. The Carnival lasts three whole days, during which the orange battle rages on while various other minor traditions are held.

Image: Bry Ulrick

Location: Nevada, U.S.A.

Burning Man isn't just a festival—it's a temporary city built in the heart of the Nevada desert for one week each summer. This experimental community celebrates radical self-expression, art, and communal living, culminating in the ritual burning of a massive wooden effigy known as "The Man." Festival goers are encouraged to clean after themselves and embrace principles of inclusion and responsibility.

Image: San Fermin Pamplona - Navarra

Location: Pamplona, Spain

Each year in July, the Spanish city of Pamplona hosts the infamous Running of the Bulls during the Saint Fermin festival. Brave—or foolhardy—participants run alongside a herd of charging bulls through the narrow streets of the city in a thrilling display of adrenaline-fueled madness. Despite its inherent dangers (as one would expect, injuries are common), it's a tradition that dates back centuries and continues to attract thrill-seekers from around the world.

Image: Dave Farrance, CC BY-SA 3.0

Location: Gloucestershire, England

In the tiny English village of Brockworth, Gloucestershire, an age-old tradition known as the Cooper's Hill Cheese-Rolling and Wake takes place each spring. Participants launch themselves down a steep hill in pursuit of a wheel of Double Gloucester cheese, risking life and limb for the chance to be named the winner. Recently, the quirky event gained worldwide recognition, with participants coming from all over the world for a chance to catch the elusive cheese.

Image: Sime Basioli

Location: Looe Key Reef, United States

Ever dreamed of joining an underwater orchestra playing catchy old-time tunes? If that’s the case, then you definitely should go check out the Underwater Music Festival that takes place annually in the Florida Keys. This underwater spectacle features musicians playing specially designed instruments while submerged in the crystal-clear waters of Looe Key Reef, creating a one-of-a-kind sensory experience that blurs the line between art and nature.

Image: U.S. Air Force photo/Cortney Paxton

Location: Sonkajärvi, Finland

First introduced at Sonkajärvi, Finland, the Wife-Carrying Contest is exactly what you would expect from its name: male contestants race through an obstacle course while carrying their female partners on their backs. While the precise origin of this weird practice is not clear, today it’s considered sort of a joke sport—though competitors tend to take it very seriously—with the winners taking home the wife’s weight in beer.

YOU CAN ALWAYS STAY ON THE GAME

10 Healthy Activities Senior Adults Can Enjoy At Any Age

Image: Ravi Patel

Being a senior adult in this day and age is not the same as it was just a couple of decades ago. The advancements in modern medicine have allowed everyone to live a longer, healthier, and more fulfilling life than ever before. And, as long as we take care of ourselves, staying active is possible at any age. We have compiled a short list of 10 things that can be done by almost anyone and can provide endless benefits to the body and mind.

Image: Nikolay Tchaouchev

It is no secret that pets bring life and joy to any house, making it a home. Older adults can enjoy the company a dog or a cat can provide, as long as the breed is not too attention-demanding. Also, a pet provides a wonderful excuse to get outside and stay connected to others.

And, thanks to most senior living communities now being pet-friendly, residents can bring their companions with them.

Image: Jacek Dylag

Like reading, music provides a welcome break from everyday life to anyone who attempts it, whether by playing it or simply enjoying it. Today’s seniors are part of a generation that revolutionized music and many have decidedly specific tastes.

Learning to play a musical instrument, any instrument, is a highly stimulating activity for the brain, at any age. And if playing isn't an option, listening to both old, familiar tunes and new music can be a delightful mental pastime.

Image: Sarah Brown

Anyone who has ever attempted an artistic endeavor knows how immersive and rewarding it can be to spend time on your own, creating something for the pleasure of it. Many artistic expressions like painting or drawing require almost no physical effort and can be done either indoors or outdoors.

Watercolor and acrylic painting as well as drawing and sketching are all high on the list of avenues for artistic expression and, also, making art in a group can be an enjoyable way to engage with others.

Image: rivage

Online games are not only for children and young people. At least not anymore. Connecting with others doesn’t always mean participating in an in-person event and chatting with friends and family online can be very convenient for people with reduced mobility.

Playing online games can help maintain social connections while training basic hand-to-eye coordination skills, which is especially important for senior adults.

Image: Alexandre Pellaes

An excellent way of staying mentally alert and engaged is achieved by expanding one’s knowledge. Attending lectures in nearby locations is an activity that combines physical and mental exercise. But watching and even participating online is very rewarding as well.

Also, enrolling in classes of any subject that might be of interest is a great way of stimulating one’s mind at any age.

Image: Christin Hume

Readingis one of the most fulfilling activities that require almost zero physical effort and almost anyone can perform and thoroughly enjoy. And, while traveling with the mind through a book’s pages can be done anywhere, it is especially suited for the indoors.

Book clubs are a great way to socialize and bond over a thing all the participants love: books and reading. This kind of groups can be found almost anywhere and many are especially suited for senior adults.

Image: Markus Spiske

Getting your hands dirty while cultivating the soil is one of the most noble activities a human being can perform. And, nobility aside, is also fun, rewarding, and cheap.

Gardening is an enjoyable activity that requires almost no physical effort (unless you plan on cultivating really big plants) and it can be adapted to whatever space is available. Watching life develop, harvesting fruits and vegetables, pulling weeds, and nurturing plants is an endeavor that is well within most senior adults’ reach and provides enormous amounts of joy.

Image: Anupam Mahapatra

Group exercises, like yoga, tai chi, or aqua gym, are fun and social ways to improve flexibility and balance, which are key to preventing falls in older adults.

Almost every neighborhood has a center or location where at least one group exercise class well suited for senior adults can be found.

Image: Jon Flobrant

A good walk can provide a breath of fresh air and a boost to natural "feel good" endorphins. Walking around the community is an easy way for a senior adult to keep active, and can also be a good way of making friends.

Hiking and walking are low-impact activities that provide valuable exercise while stimulating the mind by discovering new places and creating memories.

Image: Alyson McPhee

Last but not least, an activity that is rewarding for both the part that does the cooking and the one that does the eating. Cooking is really fun and therapeutic even for someone who has never done it before (as long as she or he stays away from overtly complicated recipes at first).

There are infinite websites and books available that teach how to cook anything and everything, tailored for each individual group of people, including senior adults. Just pick a recipe you enjoy and give it a try.