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This is The First Country to Make All Public Transport Free

Tramway

Luxemburg has now become the first country to make all public transport free. Although it’s one of the smallest countries in Europe, it has a high concentration of traffic. In fact, it is due to this traffic congestion that the government decided to make all transport free of charge as of March 1st. This concerns trains, buses and trams, that allow to commute within Luxemburg, but also within neighboring countries.

Luxemburg City Has One of The Highest Traffic Rates in Europe

Furthermore, this beautiful country is one of the richest in the area. According to the EU, it has the highest GDP per capita. In addition, its geographical location was a significant reason behind this decision, as Belgium, Germany and France can be reached in so little time.

In fact, and due to the booming job market and economy of Luxemburg, many people have settled in this country. However, this caused a big raise in housing costs. According to CNN, in Luxemburg City, over 180,000 of its workforce commute from neighboring countries every day.

Free Transport For Everyone

For that reason and more, the government decided to make all means of transport around the country free. As an attempt to lower traffic jams and congestion, as well as to allow the people to benefit from the ”good economy” as declared by the country’s ministry.

It has been reported that the free transport plan will run through the whole country, and is supposed to come at a cost of €508 million per year. Ticket sales generate around $46 million per year, but they will be abolished with the new plan.

The New Government is Making Significant Changes

Moreover, Luxemburg is indeed the first country to make all public transport free. The new socialist government that will be formed under the re-elected PM Xavier Bettel has vowed to take environmental causes seriously. Actually, this country has  662 cars per 1,000 people, which one of the highest in the region.

Therefore, the new government is aiming to implement new changes that would significantly enhance habitants’ day-to-day lives, while raising awareness about climate change and the environmental crisis currently affecting the world.

Photos: Pixabay.

Japanese People Celebrate Love In The Most Curious Way

Japanese People Celebrate Love In The Most Curious Way

Love is such a unique feeling, and Japanese people celebrate it in their own way. Although in most places, Valentine’s Day is recognized as the ”official” love day, different cultures rely on different celebration methods. In Japan, they celebrate this special day in their traditional, yet curious way. Here is what we know about how Japanese people celebrate Valentine’s day!

Women MakeThe First Move

Flowers with the world I love you

Yes, you read that right. In Japan, women are the one to make the first move on the men they love. In fact, the tradition says that the roles are reversed, and women gift chocolate to the men in their lives.

On February 14th in Japan, and instead of gifting jewelry, flowers or expensive treats, women offer chocolate and candy as presents. The interesting part though, and unlike other parts of the world, it almost seems that Japanese people celebrate Valentine’s Day in a one-sided manner.

Men Take One Month To Respond

Actually, men take one month to return the gift to their women. On March 14th, men bear gifts to their loved ones. The White Day is generally known as the day men return their heart-felt sentiments to the girls they are interested in. Although the gifts can be other than chocolate, there is an unspoken pressure of gifting the same present to the women. Literally, it takes men one whole month to pick the right gift, and choose who they gift it to.

Different Types of Chocolate Are a Must

Box of chocolate

There is something undeniably sweet about expressing your love on this special day. In Japan, it’s a big celebration, even for single people. In fact, as love has different ways of manifesting itself, the Japanese can gift all the men they consider important in their lives. However, not all men get the same type of chocolate.

Moreover, girls pick a specific honmei-chocolates for the men they are romantically interested in. Other types of candy and sweets can be offered to coworkers, family members and friends. However, one should be quite careful of which type of chocolate they choose, since on March 14th, they will know the response of those men.

Photos: Pixabay.

Want To Marry Your Best Friend? It’s Possible In Amsterdam

How many of you joked about getting to marry your best friend at least once? Well, although it has always seemed like a dream, you can now do it in Amsterdam. At least, that’s the idea proposed by a big company in the Netherlands.

You want to marry your best friend? Head to Amsterdam, and get to enjoy doing so for one day. Here are all the details regarding this new exciting proposition.

Say Yes To Your Bestie For One Day

The concept behind making one our best dreams come true, is suggested by Wed and Talk company in Amsterdam. In fact, they offer all the single ladies out there a chance to lie their perfect ‘‘wedding day’‘ with their BFF.

Although it’s not an official marriage, nor will it be legalized, you can still get an experience similar to that of a real wedding.

You Get To Have a Real Wedding

Wedding setting

Moreover, this company has been promoting this idea for a few years now. Basically, they offer you everything you need in a wedding. Cake, white dress and a ceremony that feels just as real. Their program also includes exchanging rings and vows, in addition to a photoshoot session to immortalize the moment.

Furthermore, the company doesn’t discriminate against anybody. In fact, they allow man and woman, woman and woman, as well as man and man weddings. As long as they are your BFF, they can share this special moment with you.

Such a Fun Experience, According to Many Participants

According to many people who taken part in this experience, getting to marry their best friend for one day was ”so fun.” As many of us struggle to find ”the one”, we have always had a friend that we would share the rest of our lives with, even if we stay single forever. Let’s be real. we all have joked (and maybe really even thought) about marrying our besties. Well, even if it’s just for fun, it’s possible to do so for one day!

PS: They also offer the possibility of marrying a local for one day as well. Amsterdam, anyone?

Photos: Unsplash, Giphy.

Have You Heard About This Ghost Metro Station?

This is not a movie plot, although it could inspire one. Actually, the ghost metro station has become a historical spot in the capital city of Spain. The Chamberí’s underground station, holds so much history that it has become a main attraction in Madrid.

The story of this metro station dates back to October 17th, 1919. Chamberí became one of the eight stops of the first line of metro ever created in Spain.

Andén 0, The Ghost Metro Station

Andén 0 is the current name of the Chamberí’s platform. It was designed by Spanish known architect, Antonio Palacios. The legend says that during the Spanish civil war, many people took refuge in the station.

The walls of the station show evidence of how the bombings affected the infrastructure. Sometimes at night, people have claimed hearing voices and screams of people who probably died there, as a consequence of the war.

It Remains Closed Since 1966

Following the Spanish post-war reforms, the metro of Madrid was a primary concern. Chamberí metro station is situated on line 1, between the stops of Bilbao and Iglesia.

In 1960 the Madrid Metro Community decided to renovate all metro stations, and expand the lines. The platforms were lengthened from 60 metres (197 feet) to 90 metres (295 feet). However, Chamberí’s closeness to neighborring stations didn’t allow for its expansion. Therefore, it was officially shut down in 1966, and hasn’t been used since.

Free ”Ghost Station” Experience

Due to the rising interest in the story of this metro station, it was decided to convert it into a museum. In 2008, it was opened to allow its visitors a free of charge experience.

Andén 0 still represents the 60s in Spain. All billboards inside were preserved, and once you get in, you feel that you have reached a different era, and a different world. Chamberís’s ghost station is definitely worth a visit!

Photos: Pixabay, Metro de Madrid.

The Best And Worst European Countries For Job Prospects

After years of studying to get a degree, you have to face the job market. Actually, job hunting is one of most stressful things you have to do. Nevertheless, certain countries offer better conditions for job prospects, and are relatively easier to settle in, than others. If you are a recent grad, check out the new revealed list of the best and worst European Countries to get a job.

Glassdoor’s Research Report Revealed

Glassdoor teamed up with Llewellyn Consulting to produce the report. This analysis included 17 countries in Europe, and was based on several factors. First, the change in the employment rate (employment gap) since global crisis. Also, it took a look at the unemployment rate, including for the young, as well as temporary employment rates. The report used the United states as their benchmark.

UK and Estonia Lead The Chart

Brexit and the crisis of 2008 didn’t seem to do much harm to the United Kingdom. Research show that the gradual recovery from the crisis enabled the UK to stay on top, in terms of job prospects.

On the other hand, Estonia also ranked high in strong job offers. In fact, both Estonia and Norway have ranked first and second, followed by the UK and Austria.

Spain, Greece and Portugal Rank The Worst

However, the poor labor market performance have placed Spain, Greece and Portugal as the hardest countries for job prospects. While Germany‘s complicated paper work has improved, the Spanish and Portuguese ones have gone to worst. The report also disclosed that the tough economic crisis that hit Spain and Greece is to blame for this result. Both countries have at least 25 per cent of the population suffering from unemployment.

In conclusion, Nordic countries offer stronger and better employment possibilities. On the contrary, Mediterranean countries have the worst economic dynamism in general. Although the reasons for this employment gap between European countries is yet to be explained, it may have something to do with the quality of life in general in the different areas of the continent.

Photos: Pixabay

Would You Sleep In This Hotel In Japan For One Dollar?

Traveling is one of the best pleasures of life. However, being able to afford the trip is the hardest part. Housing, food, and transportation often make traveling a luxury. But what about if we tell you that, you can actually stay a night in a hotel in Japan for just 1$?

The One Dollar Hotel In Fukuoka

Tetsuya Inoue, a 27 years old man inherited the hotel Asahi Ryokan from his grand-mother. However, his search for more clients and business, led him to come up with a strange plan.

The One Dollar hotel in the Japanese city of Fukuoka, offers you the possibility to spend a night in for just ¥100, which is about 1$.

Wait, There Is A Counterpart

If while reading this you thought that it’s impossible to find a room this cheap, well, you are right. This hotel allows to stay in Room number 8 for cheap, if you are willing to accept being live streamed the whole night.

The idea behind this service, is to market the hotel through a youtube channel. However, there are few restrictions regarding the video streaming. According to the owner, the livestream has no sound, and the bathroom area is camera free, so guests can have some ”privacy.” Furthermore, the hotel only offers one room with this service, so you can still rent a regular room within the property.

The Owner Claims That Young People Don’t Care About Privacy

To many people out there, this might sound like a nightmare. Yet, since the owner resorted to this ”business model” he had received 4 visitors in just one month. He claims that young people nowadays just want to travel and spend less money, that they don’t care that much about their privacy.

The Room Number 8 youtube channel has over 1,000 subscribers, and recorded over 4,000 view hours. When this particular hotel room doesn’t receive guests, the owner streams himself working in both Japanese and English.

Photos: Asahi Ryokan Hotel