Thursday, February 17, 2011

Are These the World's Smallest Restaurants?

Solo per Due—"Just for Two"—in Vacone, Italy, bills itself as being the world's smallest restaurant, as it takes only one dinner reservation for one couple per evening. But despite being only for two, that restaurant sits on an expansive estate that once belonged to an Italian poet. In our estimation, these eateries in Korea have to be some of the world's smallest restaurants, if not the smallest.

Situated under staircases in shopping centers, these tiny food bars highlight two important things: 1. The space issues cramped Asian nations face and 2. A remarkable resilience and ingenuity in the face of challenging environments. Many Americans store their old sweaters under their stairs. Koreans sometimes prepare and consume meals there.
Petite bon appetit.
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Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Why is today a bank holiday in Mumbai


Id-E-Milad
The Prophet was born on the twelfth day of Rabi-ul-Awwal, the third month of  the Muslim year. His death anniversary also falls on the same day. The word ' barah ' stands for the twelve days of the Prophet's sickness. During these days, sermons are delivered in mosques by learned men, focusing on the life and noble deeds of the Prophet.
In some parts of the country, a ceremony known as 'sandal' rite is performed over the symbolic footprints of the Prophet engraved in stone. A representation of 'buraq', a horse on which the Prophet is believed to have ascended to heaven, is kept near the footprints and anointed with sandal paste or scented powder, and the house and casket containing these are elaborately decorated. Elegies or 'marsiyas' are sung in memory of the last days of the Prophet. The twelfth day or the Urs proper is observed quietly, in prayers and alms-giving.