Oddity Central

Oddity Central

Meet the Man Who Lived on His Bicycle for 382 Days

Posted: 10 Feb 2012 01:07 AM PST


It's difficult to imagine someone living, eating, sleeping and even washing clothes on a bicycle for over a year. But that's exactly what French artist and copyeditor Guillaume Blanchet from Montreal has done. He even cooked his own food and flirted with women, while perched on the narrow bicycle seat. And that's not all.

A three-minute film depicting Blanchet's life on the bicycle, starts off with a dedication to his 64-year-old father who rode his bike for over 120,000 km. Going by the film, Blanchet does everything on the go, and he never stops pedaling. As he rides hands-free, he is occupied with the various mundane activities of life. Numerous items make an appearance, such as frying pans, shaving kits, laptops, telephones, Rubik cubes, and even musical instruments. It's pretty amazing how he's able to handle all these things with ease, as though he were sitting on a couch.

What I found most amusing was the roll of toilet paper on the handle bar. I understand that he pedals even as he takes a nap, but I do wonder how it's possible to go to the loo on the bicycle. While several questions such as these arise, the film is still amazing and fun to watch. Take a look!

 

Meet the Man Who Lived on His Bicycle for 382 Days was originally posted at OddityCentral.com

El Diablo Restaurant – Cooking Food over an Active Volcano

Posted: 10 Feb 2012 12:52 AM PST


What could be more natural than having a barbecue party on a volcano? Apart from the obvious health and safety hazards, that is. But such things are not a concern at the El Diablo restaurant, where chefs actually cook food over the heat produced by an active volcano.

Located on a Spanish island called Lanzarote, northwest of Morocco, El Diablo is a unique restaurant where the chefs have access to a volcano of their own. Of course, it isn't like a lava-spewing mountain, because if that were the case there would be no question of leisurely eating. No, this volcano is more like a hole in the ground, through which volcanic heat erupts from the deeps of the Earth.

Photo by goforchris

And it is precisely this heat that the creators of El Diablo have taken advantage of. Prior to its existence, visitors to the volcanic area were served with a plate of sardines and wine. However, in 1970, Cesar Manrique decided to create a formal restaurant in the area. Thus, with the help of architects Eduardo Caceres and Jesus Soto, a giant grill was built on the ground that makes use of the immense heat below the Earth's surface. And that's how El Diablo was born. The grill is used to prepare several dishes of meat and fish that are served at the restaurant.

Photo by Kevglobal

The construction, of course, wasn't easy. All that heat just beneath the surface meant that digging foundation trenches was impossible. So instead they set down nine layers of basalt rock, in order to provide a foundation for the structure. Traditional Canarian food is now served at the restaurant, but food is only one of the attractions the place provides. Many people make it a point to visit the volcano-restaurant for the stunning surroundings and view that it provides. The landscape of the island, although barren, is breathtaking to look at. The best time to visit is during sunset, when the fading light creates spectacular effects over the sands of the volcanoes.

Photo by Sylviane Moss

The Volcan Grill Tour is operated in the area every Tuesday from 6.00 to 9.30pm. For 50 Euros, you can enjoy the surroundings, a three course meal and transportation to and from your hotel.

 

El Diablo Restaurant – Cooking Food over an Active Volcano was originally posted at OddityCentral.com

Quick and Cheap: Divorce Hotel Opens in the Netherlands

Posted: 10 Feb 2012 12:24 AM PST


Couples on romantic weekend getaways tend to make a spur-of-the-moment decision to get married. And it is for this reason that several hotels, especially in places like Vegas, provide wedding chapel services. If getting married could be that easy, then why the long-drawn out process for a divorce? Well apparently, not anymore. It is now possible to get divorced over a weekend getaway too, thanks to the Divorce Hotel.

The concept of Divorce Hotel was developed by entrepreneur Jim Halfens, in the Netherlands. In a country where the average divorce settlement could be very heavy on the pocket and take months to complete, Halfens spotted a great business opportunity that could make things easier for parting couples. So all they need to do is check in at the Divorce Hotel over a weekend and all the necessary legal documentation to end their marriage is arranged for them. The service includes a mediator and a series of lawyers who help the couple split assets, arrange visitation rights and agree on alimony payments, all at a fixed fee.

Photo by banjo d

So a couple that walks in married, can walk out two days later, completely divorced. Well, not all together completely. According to Dutch law, their agreement needs to be presented to a judge and the final approvals could take a couple of weeks to come through. Nevertheless, the concept certainly is great to be able to get decisions made and all the paperwork done in just two days. For now, Halfens uses high-end boutique hotels in various parts of the country, such as the Carlton Ambassador Hotel in The Hague. According to their sales manager, Ninke Bons, couples check in together, but they tend to stay in separate rooms. The staff do try to handle these customers with special care, keeping an eye on them to make sure they are okay. "We would normally enquire if a guest enjoyed their stay at the hotel. Well, obviously that's not very appropriate in the case of the Divorce Hotel," he says.

 

While a divorce hotel may not be suitable for squabbling couples who cannot even stand to be around each other, some do enjoy the hassle-free experience. Some of them even go out into the city and have a good time when they're not discussing the divorce. The innovative concept has garnered some interest among TV folks as well, for a reality show or a documentary series. Well, picture this – a couple checks in to Divorce Hotel, but ends up falling in love all over again during the weekend vacation. Now wouldn't that be a great story?

via Sky News

Quick and Cheap: Divorce Hotel Opens in the Netherlands was originally posted at OddityCentral.com

Comments system

Disqus Shortname