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As the renowned playwright George Bernard Shaw once remarked, “We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” This belief is central to the work of the artists, designers, and architects featured within a new book by Emmy Watts.

Published by Hoxton Mini Press earlier this fall, The Art of Play catalogs more than 80 of the world’s most imaginative playspaces. This exhilarating volume journeys through a sculptural playground resembling a child’s scribble, a crocheted net snaking through the air, a cat with a maniacal grin, and even a Victorian slate mine.

These playspaces astound in their originality and offer a glimpse into how designers approach a child’s innate urge to play. For example, Rocks on Wheels in Melbourne, Australia, transforms locally sourced boulders into an inventive adventure playground by mounting slides, ropes, and other recycled objects upon them. Marmara Forum Cloud Playground in Istanbul, on the other hand, is composed of a kaleidoscopic cluster of bulbous, cloud-like structures, each bearing multicolored windows that change shade with the light.

The Art of Play proves how surprising and rewarding the collision between art and play can be. Yayoi Kusama’s Obliteration Room invited adults and children alike to plaster spot stickers across a white “apartment” installation. Over the course of several weeks, the space was overtaken by a colorful explosion of polka dots—a participatory project so successful that it traveled to more than 20 venues around the world during its two-decade run.

Other playgrounds in the book reinterpret significant art movements and forms. A vertical soft play in Czechia takes its inspiration from Piet Mondrian’s iconic minimalist and de Stijl compositions, creating an abstract playroom doused in a primary color palette. Archival photos of concrete play structures informed the contemporary Brutalist Playground in London, and Doha Modern Playground in Qatar celebrates the country’s stunning modernist architecture.

“In a world full of rules, such non-prescriptive playgrounds feel deliciously liberating, granting kids the space to act wholly on impulse,” Watts writes in her introductory essay.

From Bangkok to Beijing, Canberra to Copenhagen, The Art of Play beautifully captures the creative spirit of playgrounds around the world. To order your copy, visit Bookshop or the Hoxton Mini Press website.

Published earlier this fall, The Art of Play journeys to the world’s most imaginative, bizarre, and creative playgrounds.

Pixeland in Mianyang, China. 100architects, 2018 (Photo: Amey Kandalgaonkar).

Rocks on Wheels in Melbourne, Australia. Mike Hewson, 2022 (Photo: Mike Hewson).

This vast compendium showcases more than 80 playspaces that combine play and art for both children and adults to enjoy.

City Museum in St. Louis, Missouri. Bob Cassilly, 1997.

ForKids Club in Shenzhen, China. PANORAMA Design Group, 2023 (Photo: PoPo Vision).

Featured playgrounds range from a structure inspired by the tale of Gulliver's Travels to a cloud-like playspace with multi-colored windows.

Parque Gulliver in Valencia, Spain. Rafael Rivera and Manolo Martín, 1990.

Marmara Forum Cloud Playground in Istanbul, Türkiye. Carve, 2020 (Photo: Asli Dayioglu).

Many playgrounds in The Art of Play also riff on traditional art and cultural forms.

Doha Modern Playground in Doha, Qatar. Shezad Dawood and Fatma Al Sahlawi, 2022 (Photo: Sarjoun Faour).

Visual Playrooms, GASK in Kutná Hora, Czechia. Opened 2010 (Photo: David Christian Lichtag).

The Art of Play is an enriching and rewarding survey that captures the creative spirit of playspaces around the world.

ForKids Club in Shenzhen, China. PANORAMA Design Group, 2023 (Photo: PoPo Vision).

Hoxton Mini Press: Website | Instagram | Facebook

My Modern Met granted permission to feature images by Hoxton Mini Press.

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READ: Meet the World’s Most Imaginative, Bizarre, and Creative Playgrounds in This Coffee Table Book

Photo: steveheap/Depositphotos

Ever since the introduction of AirTags, Apple users have been placing them in their luggage in case a suitcase is lost. However, until now, this has only been helpful to the owner, letting them know where their bag was when the airlines didn't. Apple has announced a new feature that will allow you to share your AirTag's location with your airline. In turn, airlines are implementing changes to use this information to reunite you with your bags.

With the new Find My feature Share Item Location, launching with iOS 18.2, you can share a link to your AirTag's location with anyone you want, letting them visualize an interactive map with the item location. The location will update automatically, with the website showing the timestamp of the latest location. Regarding airlines, Apple announced that it will be partnering up with more than 15 companies, which will begin accepting Find My item locations as part of the customer service process for misplaced and delayed luggage.

To keep your data safe, the nature of the link only allows for it to be viewed by a small group of people, with each being verified via an Apple Account or partner airline email address. Additionally, links are only active for a week and are disabled once you're reunited with your item. “Apple has worked directly with partner airlines to put systems in place to privately and securely accept Share Item Location, leveraging the hundreds of thousands of Apple devices many airlines are already using,” the company said in a statement.

Among the first airlines to join this initiative are United and Delta Airlines, alongside international carriers such as Aer Lingus, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, Brussels Airlines,  Eurowings, Iberia, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Lufthansa, Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Swiss International Air Lines, Turkish Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, and Vueling, with more airlines being added over time.

“We’ve worked closely with Apple to incorporate Share Item Location into our baggage recovery process and are excited to make this feature available to our customers soon,” said David Kinzelman, United’s chief customer officer, the first airline to announce their support for the feature. “We plan to accept Find My item locations in select airports initially, with the goal of introducing the service systemwide in early 2025.”

Of course, only AirTag users will have access to these perks. So. if you're a frequent traveler and haven't looked into getting an AirTag for your luggage, this may be the time to do it. It's also important to note that AirTags can't connect online on their own, so they don't offer real-time tracking. In reality, they rely on nearby iPhones and other Find My devices to share their location, showing only the latest timestamp available. Still, the information they provide will surely be a blessing when looking for a missing bag.

Source: Apple’s Find My enables users to share the location of lost items with third parties

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READ: Apple Launches New Feature That Will Make Finding Lost Luggage Much Easier By Leveraging AirTags

How lunch is served during a large gathering of guests in Pashtun/Afghan
byu/Stunning-Pension7171 ininterestingasfuck

Every culture has its own traditions for sharing meals, and the Pashtun community in Afghanistan offers a particularly distinctive approach to serving food. In a now viral video circling online, a large gathering of men receive pieces of bread distributed on a long cloth, which unfurls smoothly, almost like a train, allowing everyone to reach their bread where they sit.

The men sit in long rows on carpets lining either side of the ‘table’ as one person walks down the center, carefully unrolling the cloth bit by bit. By the time the cloth is fully unfolded, each man has two pieces of bread neatly placed in front of him. Flatbread like naan and roti is a staple in Pastun cuisine, often served with meat or vegetable curries, such as korma; a rich meat stew, karahi; a spiced stir-fry, or lentil dishes like dal.

Many Reddit users pointed out the lack of women at the gathering, which ties back to Pashtun traditions where men and women usually eat apart. Men typically share meals in a hujra (guest house) or courtyard, while women dine and socialize in private. This practice is still common in rural areas but is less strict in modern households, where shared meals are becoming more common as traditions evolve.

It’s unknown whether this efficient method of serving bread is used in other parts of the world or if it’s unique to this particular community. However, it’s undeniably an effective way to serve meals to a large group.

Watch how this Pashtun community in Afghanistan cleverly distributes bread during mealtime.

The Reddit community quickly pointed out that the efficient solution might not work so well with other types of food, though.

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ininterestingasfuck

And others came up with some puns.

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All jokes aside, some also provided valuable insight into why the bread was served in this manner.

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byu/Stunning-Pension7171 from discussion
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Source: How lunch is served during a large gathering of guests in Pashtun/Afghan 

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READ: Fascinating Video Shows Elaborate Way Bread Is Served in Afghanistan’s Pashtun Community

2022/23 winners of the “Group 2+” category.

In Yukon, Canada’s westernmost territory, winters are long, cold, and dark. The subarctic climate lends itself to a fantastic assortment of winter sports and remarkable landscape, which features rugged mountains, scenic trails, and glacier-fed alpine lakes. It has also lent itself to an idiosyncratic annual event: the Hair Freezing Contest.

Held each winter season at the Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs in Whitehorse, the Hair Freezing Contest began in 2011. At first, the contest only attracted a few dozen participants, with a modest sum doled out as prize money. Now, over 10 years later, the contest awards $2,000 to winners across six categories and it even set a Guinness World Record for “Largest Frozen Hair Competition” in 2020 with 288 participants.

As the name suggests, the Hair Freezing Contest revolves around freezing hair into intricate, bizarre, and frosty sculptural styles. Steam naturally rises from the surrounding hot springs, which clock in at a toasty 42°C (about 107°F). Once the steam makes contact with the cold air, a superficial layer of frost forms around the hair.

“Hair freezing occurs naturally in hot springs,” Andrew Umbrich, the general manager of Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs, tells My Modern Met. “The hair itself is not frozen solid, and no one has ever damaged their hair in this contest.”

The contest, however, can only occur once air temperatures hit 20°C (about -4°F) or below. Anything warmer than this will prevent hair from successfully freezing.

“If we could all predict the weather accurately, life would be much simpler,” Umbrich continues. “There will always be a contest for hair freezing, but it may be affected by the number of available days to run it.”

Other than the inherent unpredictability of weather, climate change has drastically impacted temperature patterns across Canada. This fall, a Canadian climate change conference found that the country is warming two times quicker when measured against the global rate. Yukon is particularly vulnerable given its position in northwestern Canada. In fact, the territory is also warming two times faster compared to the rest of the country.

“Climate change is certainly affecting Yukon,” Umbrich says. “It seems like our cold spells aren't lasting as long as when I was younger.”

These fluctuations result in scheduling challenges, Umbrich notes. The contest is typically held in February, when temperatures are at their coldest. “Since the weather is less predictable, we decided to hold it any day that it's -20°C or colder.”

The show will go on, then, and it does so with incredible flair and humor. Participants mold their hair into tangled nests, elegant waves, and rigid spikes. Eyelashes are coated white with frost. Beards and eyebrows are speckled with fluff. With so much incredible, sculptural hair, how do judges determine the winners?

“Winners are usually very obvious,” Umbrich explains. “They’ll have put a lot of effort into making something unique, photogenic, and gravity-defying. Some use small props. Often, winners get the winning photo from multiple attempts or a bit of planning.”

Since its humble beginnings, the Hair Freezing Contest has soared to new heights, in large part due to its unrivaled conceit and its potential for comedic, artistic, and altogether whimsical entries.

“The best part is seeing people’s reactions,” Umbrich says. “It’s a unique contest, all ages can appreciate it, it’s pure fun, and all creativity.”

Though the contest for 2023/24 was canceled due to warm weather, the Eclipse team is hopeful for the 2024/25 season, which is now starting. To stay updated on this year’s Hair Freezing Contest, you can follow Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs on Instagram and visit their website.

Did you know that there's a Hair Freezing Contest held annually at the Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs in Yukon, Canada?

2022/23 winner of the “Best Male” category.

The contest involves dipping your hair in a hot spring and allowing cold air to naturally freeze it.

2022/23 winner of the “People's Choice” category.

The Hair Freezing Contest can only be held when air temperatures reach -20°C (about -4°F) or colder.

2022/23 winner of the “Best Facial Hair” category.

Before freezing, hair can be shaped into frosty and creative sculptures.

2022/23 winner of the “Best Female” category.

Climate change in Canada makes it difficult to predict when the contest can be held given the prevalence of warmer weather.

But participants are clearly ready once the right temperatures are finally met.

2022/23 winner of the “Most Creative” category.

Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs: Website | Instagram | Facebook

My Modern Met received permission to feature photos from Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs.

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READ: People Are Taking a Dip and Resurfacing With Frosty Hairdos in Canada’s Hair Freezing Contest

Imagine receiving a letter from your past self, one written a year before in a quaint Parisian bistro. Nestled in the heart of Paris’ charming Saint-Germain neighborhood, Bistro des Lettres encourages just that, accompanying each meal with a blank letter to commemorate a guest’s experiences.

“We believe in the magic of memorable moments,” the bistro writes. “This is why we offer our guests a unique experience: the possibility of immortalizing their thoughts, their dreams, and their emotions through a letter.”

Following a delicious meal of French classics such as beef Rossini and soupe à l’oignon, a card is served to each guest alongside a fountain pen. Guests are then invited to compose a letter to themselves, which the bistro mails a year later.

“[The letter is] a sweet reminder of this moment spent among us, like a journey through time where memories come to life,” the bistro says.

The bistro encompasses more than this creative conceit. Its menu beautifully combines traditional French cuisine with contemporary innovation, incorporating unexpected yet carefully curated flavors within each dish. Entrées range from a savory profiterole with goat cheese and crunchy vegetables to a leek vinaigrette, highlighting local ingredients and France’s culinary culture.

To make your own reservation at this unforgettable food destination, visit the Bistro des Lettres website.

Bistro des Lettres in Paris invites guests to write letters to their future selves after each meal.

Letters are then mailed to guests by the bistro a year later, creating an unforgettable dining experience.

The bistro also boasts a menu that combines traditional French cuisine with contemporary flavors.

 

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Bistro des Lettres: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Tripadvisor

All images via Bistro des Lettres.

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Photo: Jessica Stewart/My Modern Met

With its temples, shrines, and landmarks, Nara is one of the most historically and culturally significant areas of Japan. However, the city is perhaps most famous for its free-roaming deer, especially around Nara Park, who are considered protected messengers of the gods, according to Shinto beliefs.

The sacred deer of Nara symbolize a unique spiritual harmony between humans, animals, and nature, and for many visitors, they’re a highlight of their trip to Japan. While most deer are known for being shy, the ones in Nara Park have no problem coming right up to visitors. In fact, they’re so used to humans, they’ve even learned to bow their heads to politely ask for treats.

A recent viral video by content creator Divya shows how the deer in Nara have learned to nod on cue, knowing they’ll get a snack in return. Some believe this behavior has been passed down through generations, tracing back to the Heian Period (9th century), when noble clans would bow respectfully to the deer upon meeting them. It’s possible that these nobles also hand-fed the deer, which may be why the animals began associating bowing with a food reward.

“While people say it’s in the DNA of the Nara deer to bow, I see the science of why,” Divya writes in the video caption. “They bow because they know the simple old trick that they will be fed,” She adds that the endearing quirk is totally unique to deer in Nara.

She says, “I saw the deer in Miyajima, and this behavior wasn’t spotted!”

Check out the video below and find more videos from Divya’s Japan trip on Instagram.

Nara is known for its free-roaming deer who, according to Shinto beliefs, are considered protected messengers of the gods.

Photo: Jessica Stewart/My Modern Met

A recent video by content creator Divya shows how the deer in Nara Park have learned to bow their heads to politely ask for food.

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A post shared by Divya (@divsglam)

Source: Nara Park World Heritage treasures and charming deer

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Located in the Coachella Valley, Palm Springs is a desert resort town known for its mid-century modern architecture, cultural offerings, and music festivals. A fashionable vacation destination for the Hollywood elite from the 1930s onward, it has continued to capture visitors' imaginations. Millions flock to the city each year to enjoy everything it has to offer, from vintage architecture and fine dining to poolside festivals and stunning scenery.

My Modern Met recently spent time in Palm Springs and had a chance to experience what makes this desert oasis so special. With the help of Visit Greater Palm Springs, we've put together our guide on where to eat, sleep, and drink, as well as what to visit. Read on to learn more about all that Palm Springs offers, and start packing your bags today.

Where to Stay in Palm Springs

Parker Palm Springs

Parker Palm Springs is a luxurious desert oasis. Spread across 13 acres, the resort boasts decor by renowned designer Jonathan Adler. Featuring a spa, two restaurants, tennis and croquet courts, this resort has plenty to enjoy and explore. Additionally, guests can take advantage of three pools, including one for families and one for adults only. The resort is also centrally located; it's just two miles from downtown Palm Springs and a four-minute drive to the airport.

Ace Hotel & Swim Club Palm Springs

The mid-century modern Ace Hotel & Swim Club has a wide range of rooms, some of which feature patios or fireplaces, that accommodate couples and families. Guests can take advantage of two outdoor pools, an organic spa, and on-site dining at the King's Highway diner. Located in the shadows of the San Jacinto Mountains, the boutique hotel offers an experience immersed in nature.

Royal Sun Palm Springs

This modernist hotel blends the beauty of Coachella Valley with Old Hollywood glamour for an unforgettable stay. Royal Sun Palm Springs is a quaint desert hideaway located close to the Moorten Botanical Garden. Each room has minimalist decor inspired by the natural environment, making for a calm, relaxing stay. At this dog-friendly hotel, you can enjoy a dip in the outdoor pool or sip a cocktail and grab a bite to eat at the lush garden patio.

Things to Do While in Palm Springs

Taking of the Waters at The Spa at Séc-he

The hot spring water that feeds 22 mineral baths at The Spa at Séc-he is sacred to the Agua Caliente Band of the Cahuilla tribe. In fact, in Cahuilla language, Séc-he translates to “the sound of boiling water.” These healing springs, which the tribe has stewarded for thousands of  years and shared for more than 130, are open to the public and can be enjoyed in an experience called “Taking of the Waters.” The Spa offers day passes, which include the Taking of the Waters as well as all other spa amenities.

Palm Springs Mod Squad Architecture Tour

If you love architecture and want to explore all that Palm Springs offers, you can partake in an architecture tour with Palm Springs Mod Squad. Led by designer and mid-century modern expert Kurt Cyr, the group offers a variety of tours that show off the modern architecture that makes Palm Springs special. Select from interior or exterior tours, or create your own custom itinerary.

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway offers an unforgettable way to view the pristine wilderness of the Mt. San Jacinto State Park. Nature lovers will not want to miss the opportunity to travel over two and a half miles along the breathtaking cliffs of Chino Canyon in the rotating tram car. The tramway also provides a starting point for other adventures, with two restaurants, observation decks, a natural history museum, two documentary theaters, a gift shop, and over 50 miles of hiking trails available once it reaches Mountain Station.

Where to Enjoy Culture and History in Palm Springs

Palm Springs Art Museum

Founded in 1938, the Palm Springs Art Museum has a Modern & Contemporary collection of approximately 3,000 sculptures, paintings, and prints, and 2,000 fine art photographs. Particularly rich in Native American Art, the collection includes basketry, textiles, pottery, Kachinas, jewelry, and utilitarian objects. Visitors can enjoy 28 galleries and two sculpture gardens, as well as a rich calendar of events. The museum also has several architectural assets, including the Albert Frey House II and the Architecture and Design Center, Edwards Harris Pavilion. The Architecture and Design Center, which opened in 2014, is located inside a classic mid-century international-style building designed by E. Stewart Williams in 1961.

Palm Springs Air Museum

History buffs will want to make a stop at the Palm Springs Air Museum, which is home to one of the world’s largest collections of static & flyable aircrafts from WWII through the War on Terror. Spread through five enormous hangars, visitors can get up close and personal with these planes and even head into the skies on Warbird Rides. With over 75 planes and helicopters on display, the museum is a fascinating way to get new perspective on American military history.

Signature Events

Modernism Week

For the past 20 years, Modernism Week has celebrated the heritage of Palm Springs' mid-century modern architecture. Through their signature bus tours, exclusive home tours, films, presentations, experiences, and events, Modernism Week helps promote vintage culture and supports local preservation efforts. In 2025, the 11-day event takes place from February 13 to 23, and with events already selling out, we suggest booking your tickets now.

Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival

The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival has become synonymous with the area. Since it began in 1999, it has been held at the Empire Polo Club in Indio and is a draw for celebrities and music lovers for its incredible lineup that ranges from electronic and rock to indie and hip-hop. Currently held over consecutive three-day weeks in April, festival-goers take in enormous art installations as they select from live acts across different stages. In 2025, the festival will take place from April 11 to 13 and from April 18 to 20. Camping is allowed on the grounds, and the musical line-up remains unvaried over the two weekends. Though the 2025 line-up has yet to be revealed, the festival is open for pre-registration. As tickets sell out quickly, organizers advise pre-registering to get the best chance of getting passes.

Desert Air

Photo: Eugene Kim/My Modern Met

This two-day electronic and dance music festival takes place at the Palm Springs Air Museum each November. Drawing in an international lineup, Desert Air blends some well-known names from the Los Angeles electronic scene with eclectic underground selections in order to provide an unexpected listening experience. By day, festival-goers can partake in experiences like a poolside party at the Palm Springs Surf Club or indulge in a group yoga session under the backdrop of the San Jacinto Mountains.

Splash House

Photo: Splash House

Over two consecutive weekends in August, Splash House provides music lovers a way to cool off while enjoying DJ sets and live electronic music artists. The poolside music festival has been a draw for 11 years across multiple Palm Springs resorts. The 2024 edition was held poolside at The Renaissance, Margaritaville, and Saguaro Hotels, with sets by artists like AC Slater, Alesso, HUGEL, and Chris Lorenzo.

Desert X

Desert X is a contemporary art exhibition that activates the desert through site-specific installations. Each year, a rotating roster of international artists is invited to create work inspired by the Coachella Valley, with the public being invited to view the pieces from March to May. Desert X rotates between its home in the Coachella Valley and AlUla, a globally significant ancient desert region in Saudi Arabia. In 2025, Desert X returns to Coachella from March 8 to May 11 with a line-up co-curated by the festival's Artistic Director, Neville Wakefield, and Kaitlin Garcia-Maestas, curator and director of exhibitions at Socrates Sculpture Park in Queens, NY.

Where to Eat and Drink in Palm Springs

Lulu California Bistro

With a relaxed retro vibe and plenty of seating, Lulu California Bistro is the perfect spot for larger groups. Serving classic American fare all day, they offer indoor dining and outdoor terrace seating. Lulu has something for everyone and offers separate gluten-free and vegan/vegetarian menus, as well as an extensive kids menu. Whether you want to take advantage of the daily Happy Hour or go for brunch during the weekend, there are plenty of reasons to pop into this bistro.

Clandestino

If you are looking for a place to eat lunch or dinner while enjoying a great view of the San Jacinto Mountains, try Clandestino. Offering a menu of elevated Latin cuisine, from short rib empanadas to gourmet tacos with seared ahi tuna, the restaurant offers indoor and outdoor dining experiences. The interior, with dark ceilings and walls, and a floor accented by lush, colorful seating areas, all works together to create a mood.

Rooster and the Pig

Photo: Rooster and the Pig

This popular eatery, located close to the Palm Springs Art Museum Architecture and Design Center, is known for its delicious Vietnamese cuisine. Serving everything from Vietnamese crispy rolls with pork to spicy chili okra and red curry duck, Rooster and the Pig also has a delicious cocktail menu. Time your meal wisely, however, as they are only open for dinner and don't accept reservations.

All images courtesy of Visit Greater Palm Springs, except where noted.

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Photo: Visit Greater Palm Springs @visitgreaterps

Nestled in the heart of sunny Southern California, the Palm Springs Air Museum is a haven for aviation enthusiasts and history buffs alike. The world-renowned museum is home to over 75 aircraft and helicopters, making it one of the largest collections of World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War-era aircrafts.

Set against the backdrop of the San Jacinto Mountains, the huge museum spans over 86,000 square feet across five themed hangars and outdoor displays. Unlike many other museums where exhibits are behind glass, the Palm Springs Air Museum lets you get up close to the historical planes to marvel at all their details. You can even book a flight on one of the museum’s operational aircrafts, such as the North American Aviation P-51 MUSTANG, a premier fighter aircraft for the U.S. during WWII, or the Boeing-Stearman, which served as a primary training aircraft for American fighter pilots during the war.

This extraordinary feature of the museum, known as Warbird Rides, allows visitors to book flights that last about 20-30 minutes in the air. Depending on the aircraft of your choice, you could be seated on a plane with five to 10 passengers (like on the Douglas C-47 Skytrain, a WWII cargo plane) or you could be the only passenger on the flight (like on the Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star, a subsonic jet trainer first flown in 1948). The Warbird Rides range in price from $195 to $4,995, but they all offer an unforgettable experience in a real historic aircraft.

In addition to its impressive fleet of aircrafts, the museum also features exhibitions and activities that share the stories of the men and women who have safeguarded American skies over the past century. Highlights include a Women in Aviation exhibit and aviation-inspired artwork by Stan Stokes and Robert Taylor.

This aviation museum is also about more than simply preserving history—it’s also a space to celebrate the present. Most recently, the museum hosted the Desert Air Festival over the weekend of November 15, 2024. Its terminals and hangars were transformed into a one-of-a-kind festival venue, with stages featuring headline performances by artists like Shygirl and Jamie xx. Throughout the space and amid the spectrum of lights were various warbirds, including a North American F-86 Sabre, a transonic jet fighter aircraft.

My Modern Met’s editor-in-chief, Eugene Kim, was lucky enough to attend the festival. Check out some of his images below, as well as some snapshots from the museum itself.

Palm Springs Air Museum is home to an impressive fleet of 75 aircraft and helicopters from the past century.

Photo: Visit Greater Palm Springs @visitgreaterps

Visitors can get up close to many of the aircrafts and learn the history of these warbirds.

Photo: Visit Greater Palm Springs @visitgreaterps

The Palm Springs Air Museum even allows guests book a flight on select historical planes.

Photo: Eugene Kim / My Modern Met

Photo: Eugene Kim / My Modern Met

These “Warbird Rides” range in price, often depending on the size and passenger capacity of the aircraft.

Photo: Eugene Kim / My Modern Met

Photo: Eugene Kim / My Modern Met

Several of these flights can only carry one passenger at a time.

Photo: Eugene Kim / My Modern Met

Though they range in size and price, all Warbird Rides offer an unforgettable experience aboard a historical aircraft.

Photo: Visit Greater Palm Springs @visitgreaterps

Discover more about the history of the museum.

Palm Springs Air Museum: Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

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READ: Palm Springs Air Museum Celebrates History of Old War Planes and Lets You Take One for a Ride Today

The “Mouth of Hell.” (Photo: Daderot via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Tucked away in the forests and hills of Bomarzo, Italy, you’ll find Sacro Bosco, or as it’s famously known, Park of the Monsters. This 16th-century garden got its nickname due to the dozens of sculptures scattered throughout its seven acres, each depicting mythical creatures that seem to emerge from the earth itself.

Sacro Bosco is thought to be the oldest sculpture park in the modern world, commissioned by Pier Francesco Orsini (1523-1585), the Duke of Bomarzo at the time and an avid art lover. Some historians believe that after the passing of his wife, Orsini created this garden as a way to cope with his grief, filling it with mysterious sculptures that perhaps reflected his own emotions.

Dedicating gardens to loved ones was a common gesture among 16th-century aristocrats, but the Sacro Bosco is far from an ordinary Renaissance garden. Its winding, maze-like paths invite visitors to wander among surreal statues representing figures from the underworld and Greek mythology.

Along the way, visitors meet a statue of Cerberus, the three-headed guardian of the underworld’s gates. The enchanting landscape also features towering statues of Glaucus, the Greek sea god; Neptune, the Roman god of the sea and freshwater; and Echidna, a half-woman, half-snake creature from Greek mythology.

One of the park’s most famous sculptures is Mouth of Hell, a frightening stone face with an open mouth, inviting visitors inside. Orsini reportedly held dinner parties inside the sculpture. “[Its] mouth makes the door, and the windows are the eyes; and inside the tongue is used as the table, and the teeth as the seats,” a 16th-century visitor recalled. “And when one lays dinner with candles lit among the drinks, from a distance it appears as the most frightful visage.”

The mystery of the park remains unsolved, since no written records exist to explain Orsini’s vision. “No receipts, account books, or commission documents survive to tell us about the Sacro Bosco’s creation,” says John Garton, an art historian at Clark University and the co-author of an upcoming book about the garden.

Garton describes Sacro Bosco as “rambling woods filled with surprises, frightful beasts, and ancient ruins.” And while not all the sculptures are terrifying, the art historian believes “some features in the garden are meant to haunt the visitor’s memory.”

Following Orsini’s death in the mid-1580s, Sacro Bosco remained largely untouched for centuries. It wasn’t until after World War II that the garden was rediscovered, attracting the attention of famous figures like Italian critic Mario Praz, Spanish surrealist Salvador Dalí, and French poet Jean Cocteau, who celebrated the garden’s mystique in their works.

Today, anyone with a ticket can visit Sacro Bosco and immerse themselves in the fantastical landscape. If you want to experience its haunting beauty firsthand, check out the Sacro Bosco webiste for more information.

Sacro Bosco in Italy is a 16th-century sculpture garden filled with surreal statues of mythical creatures.

A statue of Glaucus, the Greek sea god. (Photo: Albarubescens via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)

A statue of Cerberus, the three-headed guard of the gates of the underworld. (Photo: Albarubescens via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)

It was commissioned by Pier Francesco Orsini, the Duke of Bomarzo at the time and an avid art lover.

 

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Art historians believe he created the garden as a way to cope with his grief after the death of his wife.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Sacro Bosco di Bomarzo (@parco.dei.mostri)

The park's winding, maze-like paths invite visitors to wander among surreal statues representing figures from the underworld and Greek mythology.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Sacro Bosco di Bomarzo (@parco.dei.mostri)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Sacro Bosco di Bomarzo (@parco.dei.mostri)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Sacro Bosco di Bomarzo (@parco.dei.mostri)

Watch surrealist artist Salvador Dalí explore the park in 1948.

Sacro Bosco: Website | Facebook | Instagram
h/t: [Smithsonian Magazine]

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READ: Explore a 16th-Century Italian Sculpture Garden Known as the “Park of the Monsters”

 

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Una publicación compartida por CTV News Vancouver (@ctvvancouver)

Public transportation is meant to be a city's circulatory system. Not only does it get people around without the need for a private vehicle, but it also cuts emissions by reducing the number of cars on the road. This has earned public transit many fans, including William Hui. The Canadian engineer set a challenge for himself and traveled from his hometown of Vancouver to Tijuana, Mexico, using only public buses and trains.

Hui has worked for TransLink, Vancouver's transit agency, for over a decade. However, his fascination with public transit began before that. Curious about the “behind-the-scenes” logistics of designing routes and getting places on time, Hui set out to test the many transit systems around the Pacific Coast area, particularly those that serve rural communities.

To complete his challenge, he had a set of rules, the most important of which was that all transport be freely available to the public—so, no Amtrak, Greyhound, Flixbus, or Ubers. He also tried to keep walking at a minimum, with the limit being 15 to 30 minutes on foot. Still, Hui reported that there were no situations where he had to walk significant distances between bus stops.

In total, it took Hui nine days to complete his journey. He spent a total of about $200 on bus tickets alone, plus the nine nights of accommodation. But to him, the views were priceless. “I was absolutely amazed by the Oregon coastline when I passed through central Oregon,” he shares with BBC. He also noted being “awestruck by the redwoods” as he traveled through northern California.

This wasn't Hui's first attempt at traveling south using only public transit. He first gave it a go in 2013; however, he wasn't able to make it south of Salem, Oregon. This time, the game changer was a new bus route by the Humboldt Transit Authority in Northern California that brought him to a city just two hours north of San Francisco.

“Once I knew I could get to San Francisco, I knew I could make it to Mexico,” he tells Thrillist. Hui also noticed that more public transit buses are now equipped with WiFi and accept card payments.

While Hui knows this kind of adventure is not for everyone, he hopes this endeavor improves the public perception of transit, especially given how many people depend on it.

“It was just remarkable to see how the different services connected, especially in rural areas,” Hui added. “And I’ve been saying this to folks who have asked: I was really there for the journey, not so much the destination.”

Canadian engineer William Hui traveled from his hometown of Vancouver to Tijuana, Mexico, using only public buses and trains.

Photo: vkyryl/Depositphotos

To complete his challenge, he had a set of rules, the most important of which was that all transport be freely available to the public—so, no Amtrak, Greyhound, Flixbus, or Ubers.

Photo: MichaelVi/Depositphotos

It took Hui nine days to complete his journey. He spent about $200 on bus tickets alone, plus nine nights of accommodation. But to him, the views were priceless.

Photo: abadesign/Depositphotos

h/t: [BBC]

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READ: Man Successfully Travels From Canada to Mexico Using Only Public Transit