brightside--2020-08-29--I Live in Istanbul and Will Tell You How People Save Money in Turkey and Why You Won’t Need High Hee

I Live in Istanbul and Will Tell You How People Save Money in Turkey and Why You Won’t Need High Heels There

I hope I will be able to convey to Bright Side readers how strongly in love I am with this old city .
Also , I am going to tell you how to dress here and why every local woman has a bottle of lemon juice in her kitchen .
How my man was drafted His commander keeps playing jokes on him saying , “ Did you come here through a special promo ?
” The thing is Turkey has compulsory military service .
But from time to time the country issues an order , according to which a special @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only have to serve 21 days , instead of 5 months .
Here are some interesting facts : • You buy almost all the necessary uniforms yourself .
T-shirts , socks , underwear — everything should be of one set color and pattern .
We spent about €115 ( $ 135 ) buying all this stuff .
• Waking up is at 5 am , going to bed is at 11 pm .
They provide a lot of food — about 5,000 calories per day .
They do play some sports , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowed to use mobile phones without a camera or access to the internet .
Our Nokia 3310 , that had been uselessly lying at home for a long time , helped us greatly — we could call each other regularly .
The most important person in the faculty is not the dean or even the head of the department , but a chai-ji — the person responsible for tea .
When I first arrived at the university , I was instantly advised to go up the second floor , find Tarik-bey ( the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to find the people I need .
He knows everything about others : where their offices are and when they have consulting hours .
And , of course , he has the best spot in the university — he ’ s in the epicenter of all the events and has a bird ’ s eye view , so he can watch everyone .
My first lecture started with the question — who is going to drink tea .
Tarik-bey was called right away and after 5 minutes he appeared with a tray and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
( Please note : I am talking about postgraduate studies with 7-10 students in a group , not 200 like in undergraduate survey classes ) .
While waiting for Tarik-bey , the professor was discussing the latest news or asking everyone how their life was going .
He was torturing me with questions about what my name and surname mean .
How to dress in Istanbul Istanbul is famous for its love for modern art .
Istanbul is all about urban graffiti .
Districts like Beyoğlu , Cihangir , and Kadıköy all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neighborhood beats all the records .
While walking around here , you ’ ll come across huge murals , that are the size of the condo building walls , on various topics .
The best foreign street art artists in the world are invited to Istanbul every year .
Since 2012 , the Kadıköy municipality has been hosting an annual International Mural Festival .
Even the administration building here has 3 works from urban painters on it .
What do you do if you need a restroom in Istanbul ?
First of all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cafes and restaurants .
If you are not a visitor , but you need to use the restroom , you can politely ask for permission , usually , people won ’ t say , “ No.
” You can also use the amenities in shopping centers , large grocery stores , home improvement stores , and even gas stations for free ( they are usually very clean there ) .
My least favorite options are the toilets on ferries , they can be compared with a toilet on a long-haul train .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( about €0.1—0.2 or $ 0.1-0.25 ) .
These are city orange booths in parks , on embankments , and in any crowded public place .
You can pay for them with a transport card called Istanbul Kart .
What is the “ secret ingredient ” of Turkish cuisine It ’ s lemon juice .
It is added to almost every dish .
Need to season a salad ?
Use lemon juice .
Need to add sourness to soup ?
Lemon juice is there for you !
Need some refreshment in the summer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Turkish people even manage to pickle this citrus .
In Turkey , people will serve lemon cake and lemon cream for dessert .
They even have a special lemon soup .
And , of course , lemonade .
It ’ s an absolutely necessary thing in the summer .
Each Turkish housekeeper has a big bottle with lemon juice at home ( the juice is sold in stores , so they don ’ t need to hand squeeze it ) .
How people are thrifty in Turkey How the TV show The Lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 , I got a chance to help shoot this program that is hosted by Janna Badoyeva .
I like her concept — to show countries through the eyes of locals , not tourists .
That ’ s why when I was asked to take part in the project , I agreed instantly without thinking too much .
How to make a 1-hour-program ?
A lot of preparation is required : colorful locations , interesting characters , personal stories .
That ’ s what the producer and I were looking for .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some characters refused to participate , others got sick , others left for vacation ) .
Then the shooting started and we had crazy transfers from the Asian to the European part of Istanbul with a whole crew of cameramen .
One month later , the program was released .
I was watching this episode with a huge feeling of pride because the beautiful decor and the smiling characters were hiding our endless negotiations and meetings .
I had to involve all of my Istanbul contacts — my friends ’ husbands , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helped us with everything .
Yes , Istanbul is not what all of Turkey is all about .
But at the same time , it ’ s the concentration of everything Turkish , mixed with a huge desire to be a European capital .
It is a huge melting pot , where there are trendy coffee shops and chickens sold on the highway , Kadıköy ’ s hipsters and the conservative residents of Ümraniye , the dilapidated huts of Balat and the villas of the rich in Bebek are all mixed .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ universities , people from the provinces , and Europeans-expats , who wanted to add some oriental exoticism to their lives .
And even though it ’ s Ankara that has been the capital of Turkey for almost 100 years , we all know what the main focus is here .
Love you , Istanbul !

Hi! My name is Anna Fedorova. I was born in Saint-Petersburg, got my education in Germany, and then I worked as a German language teacher and as a translator. Now I live in Istanbul, and I’m doing my postgraduate studies to get my law degree.
I hope I will be able to convey to Bright Side readers how strongly in love I am with this old city. Also, I am going to tell you how to dress here and why every local woman has a bottle of lemon juice in her kitchen.
What surprises unexperienced travelers here
It is customary to kiss someone’s cheek 2 times in Turkey. Though it doesn’t sound very special, still, I am more used to giving one kiss. But I got so used to the Turkish variant that I sometimes get into confusing situations with my compatriots. When I start the second round of giving greeting kisses to them, they often move back.
Once, we were having dinner in a traditional Turkish restaurant. We finished the meal and asked for the bill, but first the waiter brought us a plate with cloves. “That’s quite strange!,” I thought, "We are about to leave and he has brought us some spices. Turns out, people chew cloves after meals here — it helps to get rid of the smell from the mouth. A Turkish mouth freshener!
People only drink freshly-brewed tea here and eat freshly-cooked dishes . Are you drinking yesterday’s tea? That’s poison!
. Are you drinking yesterday’s tea? That’s poison! Turkish people like their own things. For example, out of 30 TV channels, you can hear foreign songs on only 4-5 of them. Also, they wear pretty patriotic clothes here — dresses and shirts from local manufacturers. 80% of Turkish people prefer to take a vacation inside the country, while gastronomical tourism and visiting relatives are holy things for them.
How my man was drafted
His commander keeps playing jokes on him saying, “Did you come here through a special promo?” The thing is Turkey has compulsory military service. But from time to time the country issues an order, according to which a special fee can be paid in order to only have to serve 21 days, instead of 5 months. Here are some interesting facts: You buy almost all the necessary uniforms yourself. T-shirts, socks, underwear — everything should be of one set color and pattern. We spent about €115 ($135) buying all this stuff.
Waking up is at 5 am, going to bed is at 11 pm. They provide a lot of food — about 5,000 calories per day. They do play some sports, but not very regularly.
Rookies are allowed to use mobile phones without a camera or access to the internet. Our Nokia 3310, that had been uselessly lying at home for a long time, helped us greatly — we could call each other regularly.
About studying at a Turkish university
The most important person in the faculty is not the dean or even the head of the department, but a chai-ji — the person responsible for tea. When I first arrived at the university, I was instantly advised to go up the second floor, find Tarik-bey (the chai-ji), and ask him where to find the people I need. He knows everything about others: where their offices are and when they have consulting hours. And, of course, he has the best spot in the university — he’s in the epicenter of all the events and has a bird’s eye view, so he can watch everyone. My first lecture started with the question — who is going to drink tea. Tarik-bey was called right away and after 5 minutes he appeared with a tray and started to give out the ordered tea. (Please note: I am talking about postgraduate studies with 7-10 students in a group, not 200 like in undergraduate survey classes). While waiting for Tarik-bey, the professor was discussing the latest news or asking everyone how their life was going. He was torturing me with questions about what my name and surname mean.
How to dress in Istanbul
Do not dress the way I look in this photo! Especially if you are not used to the increased attention from those surrounding you. I am going to list several things that will be useful: A stole or long scarf is a universal thing. You can wrap it around your head when entering a mosque, wrap it around your neck to protect yourself from the Bosphorus winds, or put it on your shoulders to cover your open arms or neckline.
is a universal thing. You can wrap it around your head when entering a mosque, wrap it around your neck to protect yourself from the Bosphorus winds, or put it on your shoulders to cover your open arms or neckline. Comfortable flat footwear. Leave your high-heeled ankle boots at home — they will be useless in this hilly area.
Leave your high-heeled ankle boots at home — they will be useless in this hilly area. Maxi fly skirt. This also serves 2 purposes: first, it beautifully flutters in the wind (you can take some interesting photos!), second, it covers your legs and you won’t need to change clothes to enter a mosque.
This also serves 2 purposes: first, it beautifully flutters in the wind (you can take some interesting photos!), second, it covers your legs and you won’t need to change clothes to enter a mosque. Windbreaker, parka, or a hoodie jacket. Guys, it’s not hot here all year round. Even in the summer, the winds can be pretty strong. In fall and winter, the winds are complemented by rain.
Guys, it’s not hot here all year round. Even in the summer, the winds can be pretty strong. In fall and winter, the winds are complemented by rain. Sunglasses. So you don’t have to squint on sunny days and get wrinkles.
So you don’t have to squint on sunny days and get wrinkles. Undershirts. Do you remember how our mothers made us put on camisoles under blouses in our childhood? Well, Turkish people still do this, even adults. I support this idea: it prevents transparent blouses.
Istanbul is famous for its love for modern art.
Istanbul is all about urban graffiti. Districts like Beyoğlu, Cihangir, and Kadıköy all boast bright graffiti. But the Yeldeğirmeni neighborhood beats all the records. While walking around here, you’ll come across huge murals, that are the size of the condo building walls, on various topics. The best foreign street art artists in the world are invited to Istanbul every year. Since 2012, the Kadıköy municipality has been hosting an annual International Mural Festival. Even the administration building here has 3 works from urban painters on it.
Delicate topic: Urban toilets
What do you do if you need a restroom in Istanbul? First of all, you can use the toilets in cafes and restaurants. If you are not a visitor, but you need to use the restroom, you can politely ask for permission, usually, people won’t say, “No.” You can also use the amenities in shopping centers, large grocery stores, home improvement stores, and even gas stations for free (they are usually very clean there). My least favorite options are the toilets on ferries, they can be compared with a toilet on a long-haul train. There are also toilets that charge money here (about €0.1—0.2 or $0.1-0.25). These are city orange booths in parks, on embankments, and in any crowded public place. You can pay for them with a transport card called Istanbul Kart.
What is the “secret ingredient” of Turkish cuisine
It’s lemon juice. It is added to almost every dish. Need to season a salad? Use lemon juice. Need to add sourness to soup? Lemon juice is there for you! Need some refreshment in the summer? Well, you got me. Turkish people even manage to pickle this citrus. In Turkey, people will serve lemon cake and lemon cream for dessert. They even have a special lemon soup. And, of course, lemonade. It’s an absolutely necessary thing in the summer. Each Turkish housekeeper has a big bottle with lemon juice at home (the juice is sold in stores, so they don’t need to hand squeeze it).
How people are thrifty in Turkey
Here are some life hacks from a local miser like me: You can attend free state courses on any topic and specialization (ISMEK);
Istanbul has a wide range of free exhibitions, cinema shows, lectures, and concerts — all you need to do is watch the advertisements;
Make sure to take your own fabric bag when going to the supermarket — it’s both eco-friendly and helps you to save money on plastic bags;
It’s better to buy the clothes from local brands in ordinary stores, while it’s better to buy clothes in foreign brands from outlets;
Bargains! Everywhere: in a taxi, at counters and of course, in the market. Don’t boldly ask for a discount, but do it more delicately: talk to the seller, ask them some questions, get in their good graces. All of this will help them to have mercy on you and perhaps decrease the price.
How the TV show The Lives of Others: Istanbul was made
In 2019, I got a chance to help shoot this program that is hosted by Janna Badoyeva. I like her concept — to show countries through the eyes of locals, not tourists. That’s why when I was asked to take part in the project, I agreed instantly without thinking too much. How to make a 1-hour-program? A lot of preparation is required: colorful locations, interesting characters, personal stories. That’s what the producer and I were looking for. The shootings were constantly rescheduled or canceled (some characters refused to participate, others got sick, others left for vacation). Then the shooting started and we had crazy transfers from the Asian to the European part of Istanbul with a whole crew of cameramen. One month later, the program was released. I was watching this episode with a huge feeling of pride because the beautiful decor and the smiling characters were hiding our endless negotiations and meetings. I had to involve all of my Istanbul contacts — my friends’ husbands, the owners of cafes, and school headteachers helped us with everything.
And finally: Why Istanbul?
Yes, Istanbul is not what all of Turkey is all about. But at the same time, it’s the concentration of everything Turkish, mixed with a huge desire to be a European capital. It is a huge melting pot, where there are trendy coffee shops and chickens sold on the highway, Kadıköy’s hipsters and the conservative residents of Ümraniye, the dilapidated huts of Balat and the villas of the rich in Bebek are all mixed. It is home to wealthy students in private universities, people from the provinces, and Europeans-expats, who wanted to add some oriental exoticism to their lives. And even though it’s Ankara that has been the capital of Turkey for almost 100 years, we all know what the main focus is here. Love you, Istanbul!


brightside--2020-08-29--8 Facts That Can Help You Like a Life Jacket in a Critical Situation

Though humans are at the peak of evolution , their bodies are still quite fragile .
Forces of nature , other living organisms , and our own mistakes can all ruin our lives in an instant .
But the good news is that the most critical situations are solvable if you act correctly .
And today , we ’ re going to find out just what we need to do if an emergency occurs .
Saving yourself from a swarm of wasps In cases where the wasps or bees aren ’ t aggressive , you ’ re best off not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away slowly .
But if you suddenly disturb the wasps ’ nest or a beehive , don ’ t fight back — it will make them even angrier .
Run into a nearby building and close the doors .
If there is no building around , your best option will be to run away from them in a straight line , as far as possible .
They ’ re incredibly fast but can ’ t fly far from their home and it will make them stop chasing you .
Also , don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are not stupid and will wait until you come up to the surface .
Tornadoes ( or whirlwinds ) are always in motion .
If it looks like it ’ s not moving , it means it ’ s coming toward you .
If a tornado is moving away from you , it will gradually decrease in size .
It ’ s better to hide in a space without windows — a basement is your best option .
If there are no buildings nearby but you have a car , you can try @ @ @ @ @ @ @ car is faster than a whirlwind but using it should be the last option because the tornado can unexpectedly change its trajectory .
Whether you ’ re in a theatre , a club , or a concert , make sure to look around and find the nearest emergency exit when entering the building .
In the case of an emergency , the crowd will run to the main door , which will create a jam .
It will be much easier to go out of the emergency exit .
There are cases where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ someone else .
A drowning person instinctively will try to use your body in order to restore their breath , not thinking about the fact that they might deprive you of breathing .
A well-trained and well-equipped lifeguard is required to rescue such people .
If there ’ s no one else around who can help except for you , and you feel confident in your skills , make sure to take a stick or another object that you ’ ll be able to stretch out to the drowning person .
If you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no water , then the safest and cleanest option is to use the water squeezed out of Sphagnum moss .
Of course , this water will be dirty and it ’ s better to boil it , but this is much better than drinking water from a pond or a puddle .
If an attacker is making you go with him somewhere , don ’ t do it under any circumstances .
Act as loud as you can so that people will pay attention to you .
When you stop sweating in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be sweating heavily and will feel very thirsty .
If you have these symptoms but continue to stay in the sun , you ’ ll soon stop sweating .
If this happens , it means you ’ re having a heat stroke .
You should instantly seek help .
A heat stroke can lead to irreversible brain damage without proper treatment .
You need to try to cool down your body and drink more water before the ambulance arrives .
Things that come in handy while hiking Of course , we all know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knife , water , and more with us on a hike .
But there are other things that no one thinks about that come in handy , and they don ’ t take up much space .
• A whistle : If someone gets lost , it will be much easier and louder to give a signal with the help of a whistle .
The best option is to give the whistle to a kid .
• A Band-Aid or a patch : Calluses can ruin your hopes for surviving if you don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The pain that they give can exhaust even the most endurant , athletic person .
• Tampons : You might need them if you need to light a fire after the rain .
Tampons are highly flammable , burn well , and are usually sold in plastic bags that protect them from moisture .

Though humans are at the peak of evolution, their bodies are still quite fragile. Forces of nature, other living organisms, and our own mistakes can all ruin our lives in an instant. But the good news is that the most critical situations are solvable if you act correctly. And today, we’re going to find out just what we need to do if an emergency occurs.
Bright Side hopes that you’ll never find yourself in a life-threatening situation, but if you do, we’ve collected a list of facts that could end up helping you one day.
Saving yourself from a swarm of wasps
In cases where the wasps or bees aren’t aggressive, you’re best off not making any sharp movements and should walk away slowly. But if you suddenly disturb the wasps’ nest or a beehive, don’t fight back — it will make them even angrier. Run into a nearby building and close the doors. If there is no building around, your best option will be to run away from them in a straight line, as far as possible. They’re incredibly fast but can’t fly far from their home and it will make them stop chasing you. Also, don’t run into any water: insects are not stupid and will wait until you come up to the surface.
Staying safe in a tornado
Tornadoes (or whirlwinds) are always in motion. If it looks like it’s not moving, it means it’s coming toward you. If a tornado is moving away from you, it will gradually decrease in size. It’s better to hide in a space without windows — a basement is your best option. If there are no buildings nearby but you have a car, you can try driving away from the tornado. A car is faster than a whirlwind but using it should be the last option because the tornado can unexpectedly change its trajectory.
An emergency in a crowded place
Whether you’re in a theatre, a club, or a concert, make sure to look around and find the nearest emergency exit when entering the building. In the case of an emergency, the crowd will run to the main door, which will create a jam. It will be much easier to go out of the emergency exit.
Trying to rescue a drowning person
There are cases where people have drowned while trying to save someone else. A drowning person instinctively will try to use your body in order to restore their breath, not thinking about the fact that they might deprive you of breathing. A well-trained and well-equipped lifeguard is required to rescue such people. If there’s no one else around who can help except for you, and you feel confident in your skills, make sure to take a stick or another object that you’ll be able to stretch out to the drowning person.
Water squeezed from moss
If you are lost in the forest and have no water, then the safest and cleanest option is to use the water squeezed out of Sphagnum moss. Of course, this water will be dirty and it’s better to boil it, but this is much better than drinking water from a pond or a puddle.
An attack from a criminal
If an attacker is making you go with him somewhere, don’t do it under any circumstances. Act as loud as you can so that people will pay attention to you.
When you stop sweating in the heat
At first, you’ll be sweating heavily and will feel very thirsty. If you have these symptoms but continue to stay in the sun, you’ll soon stop sweating. If this happens, it means you’re having a heat stroke. You should instantly seek help. A heat stroke can lead to irreversible brain damage without proper treatment. You need to try to cool down your body and drink more water before the ambulance arrives.
Things that come in handy while hiking
Of course, we all know that we should take matches, a knife, water, and more with us on a hike. But there are other things that no one thinks about that come in handy, and they don’t take up much space. A whistle: If someone gets lost, it will be much easier and louder to give a signal with the help of a whistle. The best option is to give the whistle to a kid.
If someone gets lost, it will be much easier and louder to give a signal with the help of a whistle. The best option is to give the whistle to a kid. A Band-Aid or a patch: Calluses can ruin your hopes for surviving if you don’t treat them on time. The pain that they give can exhaust even the most endurant, athletic person.
Calluses can ruin your hopes for surviving if you don’t treat them on time. The pain that they give can exhaust even the most endurant, athletic person. Tampons: You might need them if you need to light a fire after the rain. Tampons are highly flammable, burn well, and are usually sold in plastic bags that protect them from moisture.


brightside--2020-08-29--20+ Facts About the Mayan People That Your School Teachers Didn’t Tell You About

The Mayan civilization is one of the most amazing , mysterious , and at the same time one of the most attractive populations who have ever lived on our planet .
The peculiarities of this civilization attract scientists and ordinary people , as it left many questions that have been waiting for answers for centuries .
And the smartest people in the world are still racking their brains , trying to figure out their secrets .
They arrived from Siberia and founded more than 1,000 cities in South American jungles .
It ’ s not for nothing that the Mayan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Experts suppose that the roots of this civilization should be searched for in the history of migrants from Asia .
In fact , the Mayans made their way to the American continent from Siberia during the last Ice age .
Many years passed before their ancestors put down roots in the sultry jungles of Central America .
By the way , the native inhabitants of Chukotka , located in the far east of Russia , use the base-20 ( base-score ) numeral system instead of the decimal one .
The Mayan people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ development of civilization took place in the territory of the following modern states : Mexico , Guatemala , Belize , El Salvador , and Honduras ( western part ) .
Researchers have found hundreds of cities from the Mayan culture , but still , not all of them have been excavated and studied by archaeologists .
Strange things that impress modern humans , but were normal things for the Mayan people It ’ s probably not a big revelation to know that the ancient Mayan people performed sacrifices .
But few people know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people when it came to those places and times : they actually sacrificed humans much more seldom than the Aztecs .
Most of the rituals were the result of events like crop failures or wars , or they were connected with the consecration of new leaders or temples .
However , the Mayan people often sacrificed captives to the Gods .
These captives were usually from neighboring tribes who they were fighting with .
Though they have achieved a lot in many spheres of social life , the Mayans never mastered metallurgy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Age and were not aware of any more perfect tools than they were using .
But they had their own methods of fighting with opponents .
For example , Mayan warriors used hornets and wasps nests placed in jars made of gourds , as throwing weapons .
If they were thrown successfully , insects would create a panic in the ranks of the enemy .
The Mayans had a very specific and ( not very European ) understanding of beauty .
They considered strabismus ( when your eyes don ’ t line up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In order to develop it intentionally , a rubber ball was hung at the level of a child ’ s eyes .
In addition , the Maya deliberately deformed the frontal bone of the skull , giving it a flattened shape .
To get this , a wooden plank was tightly attached to a baby ’ s forehead 5 days after birth .
According to the Mayans , this elongated shape of the head made a person look noble .
Moreover , this forehead shape made it more convenient to attach straps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Also , noble people artificially changed the shape of their nose , creating the eagle-like look ( sometimes with the help of clay or wax pads ) .
What the Mayan understanding of beauty was all about and why they wanted to look like corn The ideal beauty of those times included approximately the following : a narrow face with prominent cheekbones , an extended backward and markedly flattened forehead , elongated and preferably slanting eyes , a large nose bent downward , a small mouth , and a protruding rounded chin .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it made the face look like an ear of corn — the main crop cultivated by the Mayans .
As for the physique , noble people ( both men and women ) were usually depicted in a rather plump way with a noticeable tummy .
Chubbiness was probably considered a sign of wealth and prosperity .
The Mayans had a widely spread custom of covering the face and body with geometrical tattoos , for which their pre-painted skin was slightly incised .
The more tattoos there were on the body , the braver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because applying the pattern with incisions was very painful and the person would be sick for several days after this procedure .
Interesting facts about the Mayans that you won ’ t be told in history lessons Why the Mayan civilization ceased to exist The lack of a single centralized state and intensified destructive wars , connected with a fight for the throne , were the main reasons for the weakening of their power .
Moreover , the drought that was the cause of hunger and the decrease of the population also contributed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Willing to change their situation , the rulers increased the number of sacrifices , but it didn ’ t help much .
Simple people , in their turn , started to doubt the all-mightiness of their rulers .
This is how the pendulum of the great civilization ’ s downfall started to move .
According to historical theory , when world empires disintegrate , their civilization often becomes a part of a stronger neighbor ’ s state or falls under this neighbor ’ s influence .
Mayan history still attracts the attention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ figures , while travelers from around the world literally dream of taking a trip to the homeland of these people .
The Mayans had a bunch of achievements that other ancient civilizations could only dream about .
And as surprising as it might sound , not all of their sites have been discovered and studied .
Many of them still remain lost in thick jungles , waiting for their time to shine .

The Mayan civilization is one of the most amazing, mysterious, and at the same time one of the most attractive populations who have ever lived on our planet. The peculiarities of this civilization attract scientists and ordinary people, as it left many questions that have been waiting for answers for centuries. And the smartest people in the world are still racking their brains, trying to figure out their secrets.
Bright Side decided to dive into the mysterious world of the Mayan people in order to learn the interesting facts about the civilization that disappeared just as suddenly as it appeared.
They arrived from Siberia and founded more than 1,000 cities in South American jungles.
It’s not for nothing that the Mayan and the Siberian people look so alike. Experts suppose that the roots of this civilization should be searched for in the history of migrants from Asia. In fact, the Mayans made their way to the American continent from Siberia during the last Ice age. Many years passed before their ancestors put down roots in the sultry jungles of Central America. By the way, the native inhabitants of Chukotka, located in the far east of Russia, use the base-20 (base-score) numeral system instead of the decimal one. The Mayan people also used this same system. The development of civilization took place in the territory of the following modern states: Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, and Honduras (western part). Researchers have found hundreds of cities from the Mayan culture, but still, not all of them have been excavated and studied by archaeologists.
The Mayans built special temple complexes — or pyramids — with the temple of Kukulcan being the most famous one. The most ancient ones date back to the 4th century BCE. These constructions had such special features like: They were built from local limestone and then covered with paint. For this reason, during the Mayan times, buildings looked different and were red in color.
For this reason, during the Mayan times, buildings looked different and were red in color. If you stand in front of the pyramid’s main stairs and clap your hands, you can hear this chirping echo. It sounds like the quetzal bird that was honored by the Indians of Mesoamerica.
It sounds like the quetzal bird that was honored by the Indians of Mesoamerica. Each of the 4 staircases of the temple has 91 steps, and their total number is 364. Together with the base-platform that joins all the stairs on the top of the pyramid, the total number becomes 365 — the number of days in a year .
. The location and shape of the pyramids are designed in such a way that once a year the staircase casts a shadow in the shape of a snake, marking the day of the spring equinox.
Strange things that impress modern humans, but were normal things for the Mayan people
It’s probably not a big revelation to know that the ancient Mayan people performed sacrifices. But few people know that they were not actually very bloodthirsty people when it came to those places and times: they actually sacrificed humans much more seldom than the Aztecs. Most of the rituals were the result of events like crop failures or wars, or they were connected with the consecration of new leaders or temples. However, the Mayan people often sacrificed captives to the Gods. These captives were usually from neighboring tribes who they were fighting with. Though they have achieved a lot in many spheres of social life, the Mayans never mastered metallurgy. They were technically living in the Stone Age and were not aware of any more perfect tools than they were using. But they had their own methods of fighting with opponents. For example, Mayan warriors used hornets and wasps nests placed in jars made of gourds, as throwing weapons. If they were thrown successfully, insects would create a panic in the ranks of the enemy.
The Mayans had a very specific and (not very European) understanding of beauty. They considered strabismus (when your eyes don’t line up correctly) to be an attractive feature. In order to develop it intentionally, a rubber ball was hung at the level of a child’s eyes. In addition, the Maya deliberately deformed the frontal bone of the skull, giving it a flattened shape. To get this, a wooden plank was tightly attached to a baby’s forehead 5 days after birth. According to the Mayans, this elongated shape of the head made a person look noble. Moreover, this forehead shape made it more convenient to attach straps that helped people carry heavy things. Also, noble people artificially changed the shape of their nose, creating the eagle-like look (sometimes with the help of clay or wax pads).
What the Mayan understanding of beauty was all about and why they wanted to look like corn
The ideal beauty of those times included approximately the following: a narrow face with prominent cheekbones, an extended backward and markedly flattened forehead, elongated and preferably slanting eyes, a large nose bent downward, a small mouth, and a protruding rounded chin. According to one of the theories, it made the face look like an ear of corn — the main crop cultivated by the Mayans. As for the physique, noble people (both men and women) were usually depicted in a rather plump way with a noticeable tummy. Chubbiness was probably considered a sign of wealth and prosperity.
The Mayans had a widely spread custom of covering the face and body with geometrical tattoos, for which their pre-painted skin was slightly incised. The more tattoos there were on the body, the braver the man was believed to be, because applying the pattern with incisions was very painful and the person would be sick for several days after this procedure.
Interesting facts about the Mayans that you won’t be told in history lessons
Actually, the Mayans haven’t disappeared — there are about 7 million of these people’s descendants living in the world today. Some of them are still involved in producing textiles using technologies that are several thousand years old.
The Mayans were the only Native American civilization that mastered sea navigation. For that, they used dugout canoes of various sizes and could cover thousands of miles in them. There are pieces of evidence that the Mayans were even able to reach the waters of the Pacific Ocean.
The Mayan calendar didn’t predict the end of the world in 2012 . Authoritative astronomers and experts from other fields declared this point of view to be pseudoscientific because, in their opinion, the supporters of this theory only wanted to earn some good money. In reality, the Mayan calendar depicted the end of one era and the start of another one.
. Authoritative astronomers and experts from other fields declared this point of view to be pseudoscientific because, in their opinion, the supporters of this theory only wanted to earn some good money. In reality, the Mayan calendar depicted the end of one era and the start of another one. Thanks to their outstanding achievements, Mayan sacrificers could calculate the dates of solar and lunar eclipses and they presented this as the ability they had to control nature and as proof of their immense power, to simple people.
Why the Mayan civilization ceased to exist
The lack of a single centralized state and intensified destructive wars, connected with a fight for the throne, were the main reasons for the weakening of their power. Moreover, the drought that was the cause of hunger and the decrease of the population also contributed to the downfall of the Mayan civilization. Willing to change their situation, the rulers increased the number of sacrifices, but it didn’t help much. Simple people, in their turn, started to doubt the all-mightiness of their rulers. This is how the pendulum of the great civilization’s downfall started to move. According to historical theory, when world empires disintegrate, their civilization often becomes a part of a stronger neighbor’s state or falls under this neighbor’s influence. Mayan history still attracts the attention of scientists, archaeologists, and cultural figures, while travelers from around the world literally dream of taking a trip to the homeland of these people. The Mayans had a bunch of achievements that other ancient civilizations could only dream about. And as surprising as it might sound, not all of their sites have been discovered and studied. Many of them still remain lost in thick jungles, waiting for their time to shine.


brightside--2020-08-29--16 Photos That Will Answer the Question “What If?” in a Simple and Understandable Way

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Pinterest Each of us has asked our parents weird questions as kids .
Why is the sky blue ?
Why is the grass green ?
Why are stars big , but we see them small ?
What will happen if I swallow a watermelon seed ?
Will it grow inside me ?
Though we have grown quite a bit since then , there are still some similarly strange but curious questions that tease our mind .
And the answers to them seem almost mystical and unreal .
“ Ants gutted my almond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When lightning strikes asphalt you get this : That ’ s what a cantaloupe forgotten over a whole season in the refrigerator looks : Sometimes seeds start to grow inside a lemon and it looks like this : “ These perfectly intact candy cane wrappers with no candy inside courtesy of ants in our pantry.
” “ This chip bag is about to POP after traveling with us from low to high altitude.
” This is what a book that ’ s been completely ravaged by termites looks like .
This is what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of glass that has gotten into its waters .
“ The areas around the brown spots on bananas glow brightly when you shine a blacklight on them.
” Here ’ s what a camera that got dropped into the sea several years ago looks : “ This Dr. Pepper can has been baking in the sun , so half of it is grey.
” This is what happens when lightning hits beach sand .
This is what a hunting leopard looks like .
It does this so that its prey can ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put 1 million Earths in the volume of the Sun — here ’ s what that looks like .
”

Each of us has asked our parents weird questions as kids. Why is the sky blue? Why is the grass green? Why are stars big, but we see them small? What will happen if I swallow a watermelon seed? Will it grow inside me? Though we have grown quite a bit since then, there are still some similarly strange but curious questions that tease our mind. And the answers to them seem almost mystical and unreal.
In this compilation, Bright Side has put together photos that will anticipate some of your unusual “What if?” questions and show our world from a different angle.
“Ants gutted my almond to make their own almond flour.”
When lightning strikes asphalt you get this:
That’s what a cantaloupe forgotten over a whole season in the refrigerator looks:
Sometimes seeds start to grow inside a lemon and it looks like this:
“These perfectly intact candy cane wrappers with no candy inside courtesy of ants in our pantry.”
“This chip bag is about to POP after traveling with us from low to high altitude.”
This is what a book that’s been completely ravaged by termites looks like.
“My M&M candies sank, but the Ms stayed behind.”
This is what the sea can do to a piece of glass that has gotten into its waters.
“The areas around the brown spots on bananas glow brightly when you shine a blacklight on them.”
Time-lapse photo of a beehive
Here’s what a camera that got dropped into the sea several years ago looks:
“This Dr. Pepper can has been baking in the sun, so half of it is grey.”
This is what happens when lightning hits beach sand.
This is what a hunting leopard looks like. It does this so that its prey can’t hear its feet!
“You could put 1 million Earths in the volume of the Sun — here’s what that looks like.”


brightside--2020-08-30--20 People Who Lost a Heavy Load and Have Grown Wings Behind Their Backs

As the saying goes , if there is a will , there is a way !
There is no magical pill , nor a magical food that will automatically help you lose weight over a span of time .
Since it is a fight of wills between the mind and the body , there are enough obstacles out there that will try to encourage you to diverge — unless you are very inspired .
We at Bright Side are excited to share the stories of these people who initiated an inspiring change in their lives .
Hopefully , it will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just keep on going !
2 .
“ Crazy how much weight I carried in my face and everywhere else.
” 3 .
“ Forward momentum , no matter how small , is always movement in the right direction !
” 5 .
“ Joined the gym exactly one year ago today and committed to making a change.
” 6 .
“ From grandma ’ s tablecloth to much more fashionable choices.
” 7 .
“ Joined Slimming World UK in July 2017 to May 2020 ” 8 .
“ Junior to Senior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me.
” 10 .
“ Finally got under 150 !
Been struggling with my mental health lately and trying to keep motivated to avoid comfort foods.
” 11 .
“ Only took me 18 months , 335 to 194.
” 13 .
“ I always thought I had a naturally round face , but that ’ s apparently not the case .
It feels so nice to finally have a jawline !
” 18 .
“ Finally developed a good relationship and balance with food and exercise .
”

As the saying goes, if there is a will, there is a way! There is no magical pill, nor a magical food that will automatically help you lose weight over a span of time. Since it is a fight of wills between the mind and the body, there are enough obstacles out there that will try to encourage you to diverge — unless you are very inspired.
We at Bright Side are excited to share the stories of these people who initiated an inspiring change in their lives. Hopefully, it will serve you well to stay motivated and just keep on going!
1. “Same spot, 5 years & 252 lbs apart!”
2. “Crazy how much weight I carried in my face and everywhere else.”
3. “Forward momentum, no matter how small, is always movement in the right direction!”
4. “A complete 360° transformation is possible!”
5. “Joined the gym exactly one year ago today and committed to making a change.”
6. “From grandma’s tablecloth to much more fashionable choices.”
7. “Joined Slimming World UK in July 2017 to May 2020”
8. “Junior to Senior Prom. The same man, new me.”
9. “Hey look Ma, I made it.”
10. “Finally got under 150! Been struggling with my mental health lately and trying to keep motivated to avoid comfort foods.”
11. “Only took me 18 months, 335 to 194.”
12. “72 kg of weight loss in 9 months”
13. “I always thought I had a naturally round face, but that’s apparently not the case. It feels so nice to finally have a jawline!”
14. “Weight loss progress”
15. “Dropped nearly 3 stone since New Year’s Day.”
16. “Same patio, much happier person sitting there!”
17. Another huge weight loss progress win!
18. “Finally developed a good relationship and balance with food and exercise.”
19. “Never give up on yourself!”
20. “2 years on & off”


brightside--2020-08-30--20 Real-Life Situations Where Expectations Burst Like a Bubble

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Pinterest Buying things online , ordering food delivery , or just going shopping may discourage you when expectations don ’ t meet reality .
Sometimes a product , a service , or something you made yourself looks so absurdly different from your expectations , that you may want to laugh and cry at the same time .
2 .
“ My coworker bought a gift for her daughter .
Another example from the ‘ Expectation vs Reality ’ compilation ” 3 .
“ I chose a blueberry muffin .
Got one blueberry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ description to be so accurate.
” 5 .
“ Come on , why buy one if we can make it ourselves.
” 6 .
“ I planted corn and was pretty excited to harvest it .
Then I saw this.
” 8 .
This was done in a really nice nail salon .
10 .
“ My girlfriend ordered a jacket and got this instead .
They don ’ t even have this item in their inventory.
” 12 .
If this is a perm , it ’ s better to shave your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a dog shirt that I bought for Oscar .
I think they sent me an adult one.
” 14 .
“ My friend texted me saying that he got robbed today.
” 15 .
Pay attention to the pen to estimate the size .
18 .
When fortune wasn ’ t on your side when you ordered pizza : 19 .
“ I know I can ’ t dance , but I don ’ t literally have 2 left feet .
”

Buying things online, ordering food delivery, or just going shopping may discourage you when expectations don’t meet reality. Sometimes a product, a service, or something you made yourself looks so absurdly different from your expectations, that you may want to laugh and cry at the same time.
We at Bright Side often experience comical failures, and we like to keep an eye on what happens with others too.
1. Rice Krispies with M&M’s
2. “My coworker bought a gift for her daughter. Another example from the ‘Expectation vs Reality’ compilation”
3. “I chose a blueberry muffin. Got one blueberry. I didn’t expect the description to be so accurate.”
4. “I ordered double pepperoni.”
5. “Come on, why buy one if we can make it ourselves.”
6. “I planted corn and was pretty excited to harvest it. Then I saw this.”
7. Bad luck with fortune cookies
8. This was done in a really nice nail salon.
9. Don’t trust Instagram ads.
10. “My girlfriend ordered a jacket and got this instead. They don’t even have this item in their inventory.”
Did she at least try it on? © DidNoOneNoticeThis / imgur
11. “That’s not what I wanted.”
12. If this is a perm, it’s better to shave your head.
13. “This is a dog shirt that I bought for Oscar. I think they sent me an adult one.”
14. “My friend texted me saying that he got robbed today.”
15. Pay attention to the pen to estimate the size.
16. “Well, I got 2 water bottles.”
17. “I ordered an inflatable fishing boat.”
18. When fortune wasn’t on your side when you ordered pizza:
19. “I know I can’t dance, but I don’t literally have 2 left feet.”
20. “A little bigger than I expected.”


brightside--2020-08-30--25+ Times German Shepherds Proved That No Other Dog Breed Can Take Their Place in Our Hearts

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Pinterest The German Shepherd is one of the most popular and beloved dog breeds in the world .
And the reason for this is not only our sincere love for the TV series Kommissar Rex .
German Shepherds are very well-rounded dogs — they are excellent companions , hard workers , reliable protectors , and caring nannies for children .
And they also have a special secret weapon — when you see a German Shepherd puppy with its little ears and its inquisitive gaze that screams “ intelligence , ” you give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Draw me like one of your German girls.
” When you suddenly realize that you can literally splash everything with water and nobody will punish you : She ’ s ready to go through fire and water with her mom .
When you ’ re so cute that even squirrels don ’ t run away from you : This good girl knows a lot about basketball .
Would anyone argue that this is a true King ?
2 German Shepherds are better than one German Shepherd .
Someone chewed your slippers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Look into these honest eyes , my master , they don ’ t lie .
This big boy is only 10 months old .
When mom brings you a treat , but you weren ’ t a good boy , you have to use your puppy eyes .
When you ask her to strike a pose : All stray cats know — when you ’ re around , they ’ re safe .
Ears at 8 weeks and at 20 weeks “ She ’ s not very fond of the basement , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while I do the laundry.
” Look , I sit just like you .
When you weigh 50 lbs at 5 months , but still love it when your mom carries you in her arms : When you stayed late at work and then came home to this : Ears that ’ ve stolen more than one heart When you don ’ t have the strength to fight laziness , but you want to eat : “ For 6 years , I successfully convinced my better half to wait for us to settle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The waiting is over .
Meet Kenya.
” This big boy is 7 months old !
German Shepherds are excellent working dogs and this includes camera work .
A best friend , caring nanny , and reliable protector in one dog

The German Shepherd is one of the most popular and beloved dog breeds in the world. And the reason for this is not only our sincere love for the TV series Kommissar Rex. German Shepherds are very well-rounded dogs — they are excellent companions, hard workers, reliable protectors, and caring nannies for children. And they also have a special secret weapon — when you see a German Shepherd puppy with its little ears and its inquisitive gaze that screams “intelligence,” you give your heart to this dog breed forever.
Even if a German Shepherd already lives in your house, Bright Side can’t guarantee that after reading this compilation, you won’t want to get at least one more.
“Draw me like one of your German girls.”
When you suddenly realize that you can literally splash everything with water and nobody will punish you:
She’s ready to go through fire and water with her mom.
When you’re so cute that even squirrels don’t run away from you:
“We finally brought our girl home last night! Meet Juno.”
This good girl knows a lot about basketball.
Would anyone argue that this is a true King?
2 German Shepherds are better than one German Shepherd.
Someone chewed your slippers and you think it’s me? Look into these honest eyes, my master, they don’t lie.
This big boy is only 10 months old.
Sweet dreams under this mother’s thoughtful eyes
When mom brings you a treat, but you weren’t a good boy, you have to use your puppy eyes.
When you ask her to strike a pose:
“Just 5 more minutes, please.”
All stray cats know — when you’re around, they’re safe.
Ears at 8 weeks and at 20 weeks
“She’s not very fond of the basement, but she’ll watch over me while I do the laundry.”
Look, I sit just like you.
When you weigh 50 lbs at 5 months, but still love it when your mom carries you in her arms:
When you stayed late at work and then came home to this:
Ears that’ve stolen more than one heart
When you don’t have the strength to fight laziness, but you want to eat:
“For 6 years, I successfully convinced my better half to wait for us to settle down before we got a dog. The waiting is over. Meet Kenya.”
This big boy is 7 months old!
Isn’t she adorable?
German Shepherds are excellent working dogs and this includes camera work.
A best friend, caring nanny, and reliable protector in one dog


brightside--2020-08-30--15+ People Who Realized That Life Is Too Short to Be Spent on a Job They Don’t Like

There are so many people who think about changing their profession , but who at the same time keep doing a job they don ’ t like day after day .
The fear of starting everything from the beginning or making a mistake , and the pressure from those around us , discourage even those who have a high chance of becoming successful in a new field .
Luckily , there are brave ones who find enough strength to leave the work they are tired of despite everything and start doing what they really like .
We at Bright Side @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change themselves and master a new profession at any time .
That ’ s why we want to tell you several inspiring stories that prove : everything is possible — all you need to do is put your mind to it .
“ I served in the army for 15 years , now I ’ m a nail master.
” My ex-girlfriend taught courses in nail service .
Once , I became interested and thought why can ’ t I learn to do these things too .
That ’ s how it all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now I do nails in a beauty salon and it ’ s worked out quite well .
“ Both my mom and I are graduating today.
” “ My mom graduated with her Ph.D. in social work .
Her goal was to graduate by 60 and she did it with a year to spare.
” “ Before becoming a hairdresser , my father worked as an economist for 14 years .
Today , his schedule is filled one month in advance.
” “ What started as a hobby selling refurbished PCs out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ side-business , selling at least 5 computers a week.
” Do you know people who were not afraid to change their profession , even though they ’ d been doing it for a while ?
Or maybe you yourself have had this kind of experience ?

There are so many people who think about changing their profession, but who at the same time keep doing a job they don’t like day after day. The fear of starting everything from the beginning or making a mistake, and the pressure from those around us, discourage even those who have a high chance of becoming successful in a new field. Luckily, there are brave ones who find enough strength to leave the work they are tired of despite everything and start doing what they really like.
We at Bright Side admire people who are not afraid to change themselves and master a new profession at any time. That’s why we want to tell you several inspiring stories that prove: everything is possible — all you need to do is put your mind to it.
My stepfather was a normal man, he worked tailoring hats and driving for a taxi service. One day he found paint in his house and started to make modernist paintings. Do you still think it’s too late to start doing what you like? © mementomorrigan / Twitter
My mom used to work as a programmer in a state institution, but they stopped paying her salary in the ’90s and she and my father had to start selling stuff at the market. They started and ran a household chemicals store for almost 20 years. When it was closed (because they couldn’t compete with big chain stores), my mom became a masseuse at 60 years old. Turns out, she has always wanted to work with her hands. And she likes to learn new things about the anatomy of the human body. She feels happy when people feel better after her work. She has become extremely sought-after in just 4 years. I am very, very proud of her. © OlgaBeshley / Twitter
“I served in the army for 15 years, now I’m a nail master.”
My ex-girlfriend taught courses in nail service. Once, I became interested and thought why can’t I learn to do these things too. That’s how it all started. I got a certificate and now I do nails in a beauty salon and it’s worked out quite well. Anton Kuzmin
I was born and raised in a small village. After I somehow got my education, I started to work as a cashier-seller. As funny as it might sound, it was the pension reform that pushed me to change my life. I realized that I would have to work for a long more time, so why not start doing what I really liked — programming. I started to do online exercises, read books, and watched videos. I spent all my free time on it, which I was extremely short of because I had to work and I also had a little girl.
When I started to look for a new job, I kept getting refusals — one after another. I almost gave up and started to think, “Who needs a 30-year-old woman — as a beginner programmer?” At some point, I found out that my resume was incorrectly composed. When I fixed it, companies started calling me for interviews themselves. Now it’s been 3 months since I started to work as a programmer and I am enjoying my new job immensely. The main thing is, when I go to work in the morning, I don’t think about how tired of it I am. I am happy! © Poxynik / Pikabu
“Both my mom and I are graduating today.”
Once I was working as both the head of a warehouse and as a wholesale seller in a market. I used to work 7 days a week — even when I had an official day-off, I still had to come to work to accept the goods. My salary was small, but I had a lot of responsibility. Once my friend asked me if I wanted to become a masseur (I was already able to do classic massage, because I had finished special courses when I was younger). So I thought, “Why not?” Now I am working as a massage therapist and helping people to recover after a stroke. It’s such a wonderful feeling when something, like an arm or a leg, that was not functioning properly for a long time, starts to resurrect. I can’t convey it in words! © GAARA90 / Pikabu
I worked as the chief accountant until I was 40. Over this time, I realized that my life was passing by and that I completely belonged to my work. Numbers, reports, and other stuff were always there, whirling in my head. I couldn’t relax morally for about 5 years. I decided to quit cold turkey, bought tools, and started to repair apartments. I make the same money, but I have much more free time. © Overheard / VK
This is Sergei Gilev in the photo below. He is 40 years old. He had been working as the content manager on Sports.ru for 9 years. When he was 32, he decided to take classes to be an actor. First, he was getting random roles here and there, but in the summer of 2020, Sergei played a very important villain role in the most discussed TV series of the summer — Chiki. © yurydud / Instagram
My aunt graduated with a Geography degree and had always been working in engineering geology, but when she was 40, she decided to change something in her life. She learned Spanish and worked in Mexico for 6 months. Now she is finishing her master’s degree in Philology as a teacher of Russian for foreigners, and is raising her daughter at the same time. © blackthorn_g / Twitter
A friend of mine graduated with a degree in finance in 2003. He was working at a bank and was successfully moving along the career ladder. But then he realized that medicine was his true mission in life, he got a scholarship to study at a medical university, and studied there for 7 years. Now he works as a “robotics” surgeon — he replaces worn joints with titanium ones and brings back the joy of living a full life to people. © Dobriak81 / Pikabu
“My mom graduated with her Ph.D. in social work. Her goal was to graduate by 60 and she did it with a year to spare.”
I’d never dreamt about a big wedding, but this was this event that changed my life. I used to work in the financial sphere for 8 years before my wedding and I hated my work. Then I met my future husband, he proposed to me, and we started to organize the wedding (most of the organizational work was on me). I liked the process so much that I decided to go back to school and then changed my job and shifted to a wedding agency. Now I am a wedding planner! And I am extremely happy that I wasn’t afraid to make changes. © Overheard / VK
I started to paint after having migrated to another country and losing the opportunity to work in my profession. I was 33 at that moment. I am a self-taught artist. Over the span of 4 years, I became a full-time commercial painter. That’s my only source of income and I do quite well for myself. © ThistleArts / Twitter
“Before becoming a hairdresser, my father worked as an economist for 14 years. Today, his schedule is filled one month in advance.”
At 31, I quit my sales job and started to design interfaces. I attended some courses, did an internship, and continued to work where I did the internship. It’s been 2 years since I started to feel like a happy person. © antonstvo / Twitter
“What started as a hobby selling refurbished PCs out of my garage has grown into a successful side-business, selling at least 5 computers a week.”
I had been working in sales for a long time — from selling disks and mobile phones to water-powered equipment. At the last place I worked, I got into a period of neurosis and depression, I wasn’t sleeping well, and my health was getting worse and worse. I felt pukey about my work, both literally and figuratively. The thought that I would have to be in the office again brought me to an abyss of sadness. So I quit.
After staying at home for 2 weeks, I came across a vacancy for a blacksmith apprentice at one plant. And soon afterward, my life has changed greatly. Yes, this work is hard and dangerous, but it’s thanks to it that I managed to regain my inner peace and self-confidence. I got interested in computer numerical control and started to study this “dark” art. And now I realize that I am happy to go to work and that I am waiting to start it, even if it’s hard. My sleep has become wonderful, my protruding tummy and skinny arms disappeared, my newly-grown muscles replaced the fat I used to have, and my overall well-being has greatly improved. The main thing is that I saw myself from a new perspective. I was initially afraid to change my line of work, but I have never regretted making this decision. © Abadonna88 / Pikabu


brightside--2020-08-30--A German Teenager Creates Mesmerizing Hairstyles That Look Like Crocheted Patterns

Milena Diekmann is a 17-year-old self-taught hairstylist .
She got a huge blast of inspiration , and hair , whether it ’ s blond or brunette , ginger or unicorn-colored , is the wonderful canvas where she creates bewitching patterns .
The hairstyles that she does , resemble macramé , basket weaving styles , and even crocheted and knit patterns .
We at Bright Side truly believe that the beauty of human hair can shine and sparkle when in the nimble hands of a gifted stylist , and we invite you to take a look at how Milena revives ordinary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ started with easier hairstyles and soon grew into a real passion .
As Milena said in her interview with Bright Side , she ’ s always enjoyed long hair , and one day she started doing simple braiding .
But suddenly , she ran out of ideas and this was the push for her to start experimenting with complex and unusual styles .
The techniques she ’ s using are super-intricate .
The braiding styles that Milena loves practicing are called “ scissor waterfall braids ” and “ basket weave braids.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the magic of the stylist ’ s hands is finished , our hair can turn into a woven composition with many stitches , that resemble the way people make baskets from bamboo or honeysuckle .
Currently , Milena is the hairstylist and she ’ s her own model .
Milena uses wigs to demonstrate her braiding skills , and after a hairstyle is ready , she tries the wig on herself .
Her dream is to become very famous one day and to do the hair of celebrities or work as a wedding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ special day into a fabulous and stylish event .
Her hard work and talent have not gone unnoticed .
This young stylist is getting a lot of praise and attention on Instagram .
She ’ s been noticed by popular influencers and some famous people and iconic beauty trademark representatives have even admired her lovely hairstyles .
She admits that it ’ s hard work , that demands a ton of daily inspiration , good time management , vigor , and a lot of practice — but at the end of the day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Among all of the hairstyles that she has done , she has certain ones that have become her talismans .
She started doing complex hairstyles in 2019 , and after just one year , in 2020 , her Instagram account already has over 30,000 subscribers .
She never forgets to say , “ Thank you ” to those who come to her page and admire her work in the comments .
Her favorite hairstyle so far is one called “ crisscross basket weave braid , ” this is also one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , because it has over 20,000 likes so far and many reposts .
Just like a true artist , she likes to teach others how to do these lovely hairstyles .
Milena works from home and her studio is her bedroom .
But this hasn ’ t been an obstacle for her in making video tutorials for those who get inspired by her styling talent and would like to try the techniques on their own .
Some of her videos collect over 200,000 views , which proves that real art and talent will @ @ @ @

Milena Diekmann is a 17-year-old self-taught hairstylist. She got a huge blast of inspiration, and hair, whether it’s blond or brunette, ginger or unicorn-colored, is the wonderful canvas where she creates bewitching patterns. The hairstyles that she does, resemble macramé, basket weaving styles, and even crocheted and knit patterns.
We at Bright Side truly believe that the beauty of human hair can shine and sparkle when in the nimble hands of a gifted stylist, and we invite you to take a look at how Milena revives ordinary haircuts with dazzling patterns.
It all started with easier hairstyles and soon grew into a real passion.
As Milena said in her interview with Bright Side, she’s always enjoyed long hair, and one day she started doing simple braiding. But suddenly, she ran out of ideas and this was the push for her to start experimenting with complex and unusual styles.
The techniques she’s using are super-intricate.
The braiding styles that Milena loves practicing are called “scissor waterfall braids” and “basket weave braids.” The names already suggest to us that after the magic of the stylist’s hands is finished, our hair can turn into a woven composition with many stitches, that resemble the way people make baskets from bamboo or honeysuckle.
Currently, Milena is the hairstylist and she’s her own model.
Milena uses wigs to demonstrate her braiding skills, and after a hairstyle is ready, she tries the wig on herself. Her dream is to become very famous one day and to do the hair of celebrities or work as a wedding stylist, turning every girl’s special day into a fabulous and stylish event.
Her hard work and talent have not gone unnoticed.
This young stylist is getting a lot of praise and attention on Instagram. She’s been noticed by popular influencers and some famous people and iconic beauty trademark representatives have even admired her lovely hairstyles. She admits that it’s hard work, that demands a ton of daily inspiration, good time management, vigor, and a lot of practice — but at the end of the day, it’s all worth it.
Among all of the hairstyles that she has done, she has certain ones that have become her talismans.
She started doing complex hairstyles in 2019, and after just one year, in 2020, her Instagram account already has over 30,000 subscribers. She never forgets to say, “Thank you” to those who come to her page and admire her work in the comments.
Her favorite hairstyle so far is one called “crisscross basket weave braid,” this is also one of the most demanded hairstyles on her Instagram page, because it has over 20,000 likes so far and many reposts.
Just like a true artist, she likes to teach others how to do these lovely hairstyles.
Milena works from home and her studio is her bedroom. But this hasn’t been an obstacle for her in making video tutorials for those who get inspired by her styling talent and would like to try the techniques on their own. Some of her videos collect over 200,000 views, which proves that real art and talent will never go unnoticed.


brightside--2020-08-30--15 Hollywood Stars Who Can Easily Outsmart Graduates From Harvard

Shakira wrote her first poem when she was 4 years old , however , Einstein did not learn to speak until he was 4 .
Even if an IQ test above 130 does not reveal how successful a person will be , this is the case just for only 2.5 % of the population .
Among them , some are renowned artists who have not succeeded academically , but who ’ ve totally won on the stage or the catwalk .
Here at Bright Side , we love smart people who share their wit with the world , so we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of brilliant celebrities , regardless of whether they ’ ve been to Harvard or not .
She wrote her first poem when she was 4 years old , and she recorded her first album when she was 13 years old .
With a 140 IQ , instead of going to college , Shakira learned from life on tour after tour around the world .
And this was not in vain , the singer knows how to speak 5 languages .
She was always an A student , and she even graduated from high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ science , so she received a scholarship to study chemical engineering .
But one fine day a camera caught sight of her , and the world lost a great engineer , but won a supermodel .
According to reports , Matt Damon ’ s IQ is as high as 160 .
He started to write the Good Will Hunting script while attending Harvard University .
Even if he never graduated , he would later win an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay with his bro soulmate Ben Affleck .
He studied at University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ancient World Studies and graduated with first-class honors in Greek and Latin .
It was at college where Martin met his future Coldplay bandmates , so we can very well say that intelligence and study skills are what have allowed us to listen to their songs today .
At 14 years old , he wrote one of his earliest works , and he was already thinking about his next screenplay .
He never went to college , but he didn ’ t need it .
His 160 IQ score probably helped him to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appear on television when she was 3 years old and she was only 12 when she got a role in Taxi Driver .
At 18 , she decided to take a break from her stellar acting career and become a full-time student at Yale , where she graduated magna cum laude .
Hollywood was waiting for her regardless .
She wanted to earn her own money from a very young age , because her greatest wish was to help care for her sister with special needs .
During high school , she studied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s restaurant , and after her university studies , Master degree included , she worked hard as a headhunter , until it was her talent that was hunted .
He had an impeccable academic career and after finishing his Master ’ s degree in English literature at Yale , he embarked on a PhD .
By then , acting ( and The X-Files ) had crossed his path and he left everything to follow his passion .
The Academy-Award winning actress graduated from Boston University , knows how to play the piano and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She has a 140 IQ score and is a public member of the Mensa Organization , a VIP club to which only 2 % of the population can belong — only those who have an IQ that is greater than 135 .
Her intelligence did not go unnoticed by her teachers , so she entered the second grade when she was only 5 years old .
Even more , she was only 15 years old when she was accepted , with a scholarship , to college .
Her IQ is 154 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of the population in the world .
This is a case in which it is also understood that college is not always a good place for geniuses .
He began to study philosophy , but the life of a teacher did not seem like it was for him .
However , the fact that he did not finish his studies , did not prevent him from joining the Mensa Organization , a club for smart people that have an above-average IQ .
She has said that she grew up a “ straight-up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with floppy disks and a dial-up modem before it was cool.
” Jones displayed a musical ability from an early age and can play classical piano .
She was voted “ Most Likely To Succeed ” by her classmates at school .
She studied religion and philosophy at Harvard University and graduated when she was 21 years old .
His IQ is reported to be 178 .
Quite the opposite of the character who made him famous , the giddy Mr. Bean , he was a brilliant student who received top-notch grades at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acting , he studied engineering at Newcastle University , went on to Oxford University to do a Master of Science , and even embarked on a PhD .
Success doesn ’ t come suddenly , not even for geniuses like Einstein with an estimated 160 IQ .
When he graduated , he spent 2 difficult years looking for work as a teacher .
Physics weren ’ t the most important thing in his life , and his great passion was music .
Playing the piano and the violin helped him to think , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ music was inconceivable .

Shakira wrote her first poem when she was 4 years old, however, Einstein did not learn to speak until he was 4. Even if an IQ test above 130 does not reveal how successful a person will be, this is the case just for only 2.5% of the population. Among them, some are renowned artists who have not succeeded academically, but who’ve totally won on the stage or the catwalk.
Here at Bright Side, we love smart people who share their wit with the world, so we want to show you this VIP group of brilliant celebrities, regardless of whether they’ve been to Harvard or not.
1. Shakira
She wrote her first poem when she was 4 years old, and she recorded her first album when she was 13 years old. With a 140 IQ, instead of going to college, Shakira learned from life on tour after tour around the world. And this was not in vain, the singer knows how to speak 5 languages.
2. Cindy Crawford
She was always an A student, and she even graduated from high school as the valedictorian. She liked science, so she received a scholarship to study chemical engineering. But one fine day a camera caught sight of her, and the world lost a great engineer, but won a supermodel.
3. Matt Damon
According to reports, Matt Damon’s IQ is as high as 160. He started to write the Good Will Hunting script while attending Harvard University. Even if he never graduated, he would later win an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay with his bro soulmate Ben Affleck.
4. Natalie Portman
She holds a Psychology degree from Harvard University, where she contributed to a paper entitled Frontal Lobe Activation During Object Permanence. She can speak 5 languages and her IQ is estimated to be 140.
5. Chris Martin
He studied at University College London, where he majored in Ancient World Studies and graduated with first-class honors in Greek and Latin. It was at college where Martin met his future Coldplay bandmates, so we can very well say that intelligence and study skills are what have allowed us to listen to their songs today.
6. Quentin Tarantino
At 14 years old, he wrote one of his earliest works, and he was already thinking about his next screenplay. He never went to college, but he didn’t need it. His 160 IQ score probably helped him to win 2 Oscars.
7. Jodie Foster
She started to appear on television when she was 3 years old and she was only 12 when she got a role in Taxi Driver. At 18, she decided to take a break from her stellar acting career and become a full-time student at Yale, where she graduated magna cum laude. Hollywood was waiting for her regardless.
8. Eva Longoria
She wanted to earn her own money from a very young age, because her greatest wish was to help care for her sister with special needs. During high school, she studied hard while she worked at Wendy’s restaurant, and after her university studies, Master degree included, she worked hard as a headhunter, until it was her talent that was hunted.
9. David Duchovny
He had an impeccable academic career and after finishing his Master’s degree in English literature at Yale, he embarked on a PhD. By then, acting (and The X-Files) had crossed his path and he left everything to follow his passion.
10. Geena Davis
The Academy-Award winning actress graduated from Boston University, knows how to play the piano and flute, and is fluent in Swedish. She has a 140 IQ score and is a public member of the Mensa Organization, a VIP club to which only 2% of the population can belong — only those who have an IQ that is greater than 135.
11. Sharon Stone
Her intelligence did not go unnoticed by her teachers, so she entered the second grade when she was only 5 years old. Even more, she was only 15 years old when she was accepted, with a scholarship, to college. Her IQ is 154, which places her in the top 0.1% of the population in the world.
12. Steve Martin
This is a case in which it is also understood that college is not always a good place for geniuses. He began to study philosophy, but the life of a teacher did not seem like it was for him. However, the fact that he did not finish his studies, did not prevent him from joining the Mensa Organization, a club for smart people that have an above-average IQ.
13. Rashida Jones
She has said that she grew up a “straight-up nerd” and “had a computer with floppy disks and a dial-up modem before it was cool.” Jones displayed a musical ability from an early age and can play classical piano. She was voted “Most Likely To Succeed” by her classmates at school. She studied religion and philosophy at Harvard University and graduated when she was 21 years old.
14. Rowan Atkinson
His IQ is reported to be 178. Quite the opposite of the character who made him famous, the giddy Mr. Bean, he was a brilliant student who received top-notch grades at school. Before changing his career to acting, he studied engineering at Newcastle University, went on to Oxford University to do a Master of Science, and even embarked on a PhD.
Bonus: Albert Einstein
Success doesn’t come suddenly, not even for geniuses like Einstein with an estimated 160 IQ. When he graduated, he spent 2 difficult years looking for work as a teacher. Physics weren’t the most important thing in his life, and his great passion was music. Playing the piano and the violin helped him to think, and for him a life without playing music was inconceivable.


brightside--2020-08-30--20 Pics That Completely Blow Your Mind Until You Look a Little Closer

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Pinterest Sometimes our eyes can trick us .
We may think we ’ re seeing one thing but when we take another look , we realize that what we saw was completely different from reality .
Smiley faces on objects , optical illusions , and misleading designs are some everyday examples of this visual trickery .
1 .
“ Everyone says I look like him , took this pic for a laugh.
” 2 .
“ This mug of coffee kind of looks like it ’ s empty.
” 3 .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4 .
“ My boyfriend ’ s scoop of chocolate chip ice cream looks like it ’ s smiling.
” 5 .
“ This bottle of honey looks like a bottle of shampoo.
” 6 .
“ This circular piece of confetti that looks like a hole in the hardwood ” 7 .
They didn ’ t use a different font on this sign , the letters are just peeling off .
8 .
“ The snow on my husband ’ s car looks like a blanket !
” 9 .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ massive spaceship landing.
” 10 .
“ After a little snowfall , my tree looks like a cotton plant.
” 11 .
Don ’ t break a tooth trying to eat this rock disguised as a potato !
12 .
“ Apple-filled buns ?
They look more like mandarins.
” 17 .
This mop looks like a blue-haired person who ’ s not impressed .
18 .
If this popcorn tastes like a mushroom , it ’ s because it is one .
19 .
This black tile flooring looks good , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leak at a movie theater .
20 .
This cat armor is actually a vacuum cleaner !

Sometimes our eyes can trick us. We may think we’re seeing one thing but when we take another look, we realize that what we saw was completely different from reality. Smiley faces on objects, optical illusions, and misleading designs are some everyday examples of this visual trickery.
Bright Side prepared a list of the most curious pictures that will leave you in doubt and amazed.
1. “Everyone says I look like him, took this pic for a laugh.”
2. “This mug of coffee kind of looks like it’s empty.”
3. This fried bubbly bacon that looks like teeth
4. “My boyfriend’s scoop of chocolate chip ice cream looks like it’s smiling.”
5. “This bottle of honey looks like a bottle of shampoo.”
6. “This circular piece of confetti that looks like a hole in the hardwood”
7. They didn’t use a different font on this sign, the letters are just peeling off.
8. “The snow on my husband’s car looks like a blanket!”
9. “The reflection on the window looks like a massive spaceship landing.”
10. “After a little snowfall, my tree looks like a cotton plant.”
11. Don’t break a tooth trying to eat this rock disguised as a potato!
12. “Apple-filled buns? They look more like mandarins.”
13. When the mirror reflection fits perfectly:
14. “I saw an ’empty’ building.”
15. “That’s a cute fi — oh, nevermind.”
17. This mop looks like a blue-haired person who’s not impressed.
18. If this popcorn tastes like a mushroom, it’s because it is one.
19. This black tile flooring looks good, but sadly, it’s a sewage leak at a movie theater.
20. This cat armor is actually a vacuum cleaner!


brightside--2020-08-30--Why We Should Never Chase Away House Geckos and Lizards

There are some animals that have superpowers — and geckos have several !
Starting with their sticky toe pads and their ability to cling to walls and ceilings , ending with their exceptional nocturnal color vision .
When people see this animal in their garden , many want to get rid of it as soon as possible .
Here are 5 reasons you shouldn ’ t do this .
Here at Bright Side we like breaking down myths , especially when it comes to helpful animals that are perceived as dangerous and often exterminated .
Some people believe that all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reptiles that are not dangerous to humans , and some species can even be beneficial — just like common house geckos .
They feed on insects that can often be harmful — cockroaches , moths , flies , spiders , termites , and wasps .
If geckos live in your garden , it probably means it ’ s an ecologically clean area .
There are many chemicals around that are toxic for geckos , so if these reptiles come to your place — it ’ s a good sign .
It means that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insects can evolve to resist insecticides , they might either never leave your garden at all or come back to it as soon as the insecticides evaporate .
Therefore , a more natural way to get rid of these pests in the garden is to let the geckos do their job .
Geckos won ’ t eat anything from your garden , unlike birds .
These nimble tailed creatures won ’ t eat any berries , fruits or vegetables in your garden .
That ’ s where they differ from birds which also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like the berries or edible fruits you might be growing .
Birds may seem sweeter and more harmless , but in reality , they can simply peck up your entire crop , while lizards , on the contrary , can protect it .
Even though it might seem like geckos have superpowers because they can crawl up the ceilings and make weird noises during the night , they ’ re actually not that scary at all .
Common house geckos are not venomous and pose no threat to humans ( though they can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actually provide a service by feeding on pests around and outside your house .
Geckos can carry salmonella , which is easy to avoid .
Geckos can transmit salmonella , just like many other reptiles .
And it ’ s not through biting , but through their feces .
So if you find gecko excrement on something , you should wash it off well and , of course , you shouldn ’ t kiss them ( or cats , dogs , and other animals ) .
Do you know of any other helpful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ d be happy to see your comments in the section below !

There are some animals that have superpowers — and geckos have several! Starting with their sticky toe pads and their ability to cling to walls and ceilings, ending with their exceptional nocturnal color vision. When people see this animal in their garden, many want to get rid of it as soon as possible. Here are 5 reasons you shouldn’t do this.
Here at Bright Side we like breaking down myths, especially when it comes to helpful animals that are perceived as dangerous and often exterminated.
Geckos can feed on dangerous insects.
Some people believe that all reptiles are dangerous. There are many reptiles that are not dangerous to humans, and some species can even be beneficial — just like common house geckos. They feed on insects that can often be harmful — cockroaches, moths, flies, spiders, termites, and wasps.
If geckos live in your garden, it probably means it’s an ecologically clean area.
There are many chemicals around that are toxic for geckos, so if these reptiles come to your place — it’s a good sign. It means that your garden is ecologically-friendly. And since insects can evolve to resist insecticides, they might either never leave your garden at all or come back to it as soon as the insecticides evaporate. Therefore, a more natural way to get rid of these pests in the garden is to let the geckos do their job.
Geckos won’t eat anything from your garden, unlike birds.
These nimble tailed creatures won’t eat any berries, fruits or vegetables in your garden. That’s where they differ from birds which also feed on pests, but who also like the berries or edible fruits you might be growing. Birds may seem sweeter and more harmless, but in reality, they can simply peck up your entire crop, while lizards, on the contrary, can protect it.
They aren’t dangerous to humans.
Even though it might seem like geckos have superpowers because they can crawl up the ceilings and make weird noises during the night, they’re actually not that scary at all. Common house geckos are not venomous and pose no threat to humans (though they can bite when distressed), and they actually provide a service by feeding on pests around and outside your house.
Geckos can carry salmonella, which is easy to avoid.
Geckos can transmit salmonella, just like many other reptiles. And it’s not through biting, but through their feces. So if you find gecko excrement on something, you should wash it off well and, of course, you shouldn’t kiss them (or cats, dogs, and other animals).