Abandoned Toilet becomes Cozy Little Home for the Chinese Family

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Many people who aren’t satisfied with their living conditions have probably never heard about this remarkable man from China. For the past six years, the 32-year-old, Zeng Lingjun and his family live in the closet of one of the hotels in the city of Shenyang, Liaoning Province. 

Zeng Lingjun was born in a small village, in the Jilin Province of Northeastern China. As a boy, he dreamed of one day attending college, but because his family was too poor was unable to pay 5000 yuan ($ 794) for school, he had to abandon his dream and settle for becoming a cobbler and repair shoes for a living.

But he had bigger plans for himself, so one day, with just 50 yuan ($8) in his pocket, he left for Shenyang, the biggest city in northeast China. Six years ago, a friend arranged him an abandoned hotel toilet was available for rent at a very low price. He immediately borrowed the money he needed and rented the deserted toilet as his new home. He took down the old door and all the wooden cubicles, and laid down some planks to cover up the toilet bowls and make room for a bed. The dismantled cubicles were converted to storage space.

In 2008 Zeng Lingjun met his current wife, also a migrant worker. They married in 2010 and had a baby shortly after. Now the three of them live in the abandoned toilet. At one point, they saved enough money to move into a normal 80 square meter apartment, but they found themselves coming back to their old home just days after they had moved out, unable to afford all the expenses.

So they moved to the toilet. Their new home area of ​​20 square meters. Already fully adapted to their needs.

Two years back, they had a son, whom they named Zeng Dei (translated as “lucky”), with the hope that he proves lucky for their parents.

Their wedding pictures.

According to ancient tradition, many Chinese newlyweds wear red wedding dresses because it is believed that the color red brings wealth and prosperity.

Although the smell never lets them forget they live in a toilet, Zeng and his family just flush the toilets whenever the stench becomes unbearable, and just enjoy their life together.

He repairs shoes, cleans and makes key chains for the passers-by. His workplace is right outside of the hotel where his family lives. Zeng`s conscientious attitude to his work attracted many regular customers, who often pay him a little more for his services. In a month he earns 2,000 yuan ($ 317), which equals the average wage of Chinese workers in the factory.

Picture Credits: izismile.com

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6-Year-Old AIDS Orphan Lives Alone !!

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6-year-old AIDS orphan in Guangxi lives alone, eats rice and vegetables without oil or salt yet still eats with relish.

Missing your childhood fun, playing with your friends, fighting with your brother, making faces to your mom for your favorite toy?  When you couldn't get what you wanted, did you sigh like a little adult: “It sucks being a child!” However, A-Long wouldn't.  He washes his laundry and makes his meals by himself. Alone, he feeds the chickens and raises the dog. Alone, he studies and learns to read. Alone, he goes to sleep. 

This is 6-year-old A-Long’s home, a one person “home”.

Among them, one of the stand-alone small building has a “stove” made of piled up cement block and a ceramic bed pan installed as a “toilet”, the other building has dilapidated wooden doors with no locks. As it is understood, A-Long once lived in  these buildings, but because his father passed away there, no one has gone near those buildings since. A-Long himself has not entered them again, only often walking back and forth in front of the door. “Is it because you feel your dad is still inside sleeping?” A-Long did not reply, hesitating for a moment before running away.

In front of the small building is a very large open area. It is the main area A-Long spends most of his time normally, and the one thing that he does the most is embracing the dog he calls “Lao Hei” ["Old Black"]. After his father passed away, A-Long has yet to go down the mountain again.

A representative of Liuzhou City’s HIV prevention department told the reporters that with regards to A-Long’s medical condition, as long as it involves anti-HIV medication, it is free, but they cannot do anything for any medication outside of this. All the village committee does is to guarantee that he doesn’t have to worry about food and clothing at the moment. Although they have already helped him apply for social security/welfare benefits, 70 yuan a month.

The only person who is close with A-Long is his 84-year-old grandmother, it takes her about 15 minutes to walk here where A-Long lives. His grandmother often comes to see him, but it is not everyday that she comes. That afternoon, his grandmother happened to come by, and so A-Long did not have to feed the chickens, nor did he have to pick the vegetables himself, and could play a little more. His grandmother had planted two plots of vegetables in the open area beside the house, one plot of cabbage, one plot of leeks/chives. She says this is normally enough for A-Long to eat.

When asked if she was able to live here and raise A-Long until he is big, the grandmother hesitantly said that she herself is a little afraid of living here. Could she take A-Long to his uncle’s place to live? The grandmother did not answer.

A-Long has uncles and aunties who come to see him, they bring good things to eat and new clothes, every time they come. A while ago, the temperature had suddenly dropped sharply, and one auntie came on consecutive nights to deliver quilts/blankets and winter clothing. Apart from this, there are many kind-hearted anonymous city residents who will also come visit A-Long, but almost no one has brought up the problem of raising A-Long.

Even though there is no oil or salt, for A-Long, being able to have dinner is a very blessed thing. Recently, A-Long had just received 20kg of rice and 5kg of noodles from a kind-hearted person, which is enough for him for quite some time. 

As the sky turns dark, A-Long starts to prepare dinner.

“You know how to cook by yourself?” A-Long nodded his head, and even raised his left hand to show the reporter. On his left hand between the thumb and index finger was a very large scab, shocking on such a small hand. A-Long however was nonchalant, saying that he had accidentally burned himself a few days ago when cooking, but now it is almost healed.

Source: 1

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Hans Rey and Steve Peat: On the Most Terrifying Mountain Bike Trail On Earth [VIDEO]

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Dawn was about to break. Conditions were inclement, damp and misty, more like the hangover of a storm. There was no margin for error. You need nerves of steel to ride over a narrow rocky ledge hanging over a sheer 600 foot dropping down to the waiting rocks and pounding waves of the Atlantic.

  

Photo: Victor Lucas via Hans Rey

When Hans Rey ventured on a road trip with fellow mountain biking star Steve Peat, the plan was “to ride all the cool biking trails and spots in Ireland and to visit a few pubs along the way.” Yet the Swiss trials rider and multiple World Champion had long had his sights on the Emerald Isle’s legendary Cliffs of Moher.

The problem was that they hadn’t foreseen the Cliffs being quite such a tourist trap by day, nor that the weather would be as adverse as it was. So they postponed their plans until early the next morning, though not without misgivings. “We were well aware of stories of the dangerous upward drafts, strong winds that would sweep the cliffs, and as stories have it, pulled several people down over the years,” said Hans.

Photo: Victor Lucas via Hans Rey

 “Even though it was a stormy day, the winds were calm right on the edge of the cliffs. We got more and more daring. We rode ledges that were only about 4 inches wide and even jumped over 4 foot gaps.” !!!

 Photo: Victor Lucas via Hans Rey

 “The dangerous part riding the ledge was not to ride too close to the hillside, since we didn't want to catch a pedal on the rocks and high-side down the cliff.” Obviously it takes superlative skill to pull off a stunt like this, and the riders completed their spectacular trail without mishap.

Photo: Victor Lucas via Hans Rey

Of course, the local authorities knew nothing about what was going down on the Cliffs of Moher that cold Irish winter morning. Just for the record, there were no parachutes in their backpacks. Hans concludes. "Mind over matter and the mercy of Mother Nature.”

  Surprisigly the Highlands were once covered with trees. Now only about 1% of the forest remains.

 Scotland trip around Torridon and Skye with Scotland’s mountain bike holiday experts, Highlands and Islands Adventures.

  

Hans Rey riding a tight bend at the Quiraing, Skye.

Source: Environmentalgraffiti and more info with pics at 1, 2, 3

A documentary style VIDEO showing the state of mountain biking and the people that are helping to define the sport. Watch it.

VIDEO: Danny MacAskill discovers Livigno with bike trial legend Hans Rey, in the heart of the Alps.

Well, after seeing and reading about them, I can surely ask myself, Do the helmets make sense ??!!

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Niue: the Pacific Island paradise

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Niue is a South Pacific Ocean Island country, 2,400 kilometres (1,500 mi) northeast of New Zealand and within the triangle formed by Tonga (to the southwest), the Samoas (to the northwest) and the Cook Islands (to the southeast). Its one of the smallest countries on earth and the largest raised coral atoll in the world.

Its land area is 260 square kilometres (100 sq mi) and its population is around 1,400. They commonly refer to the island as "the Rock", a reference to the traditional moniker "Rock of Polynesia". Niue is in free association with New Zealand, and most of its diplomatic relations are conducted by New Zealand on Niue's behalf. All Niueans are New Zealand citizens.

With world class diving, fishing, walking, caving and whale interactions set in a relaxing tropical environment, Niue is a place for soft adventure and ecotourism paradise. It’s a place where nature hasn’t been broken and things are the way ‘they used to be’. Swim with whales and dolphins, dive within underwater caverns in crystal clear water, discover your own secluded sandy cove teeming with coloured fish, snorkel over bright coral in warm waters and explore breathtaking caves with ease.

Niue is also one of the world’s safest destinations and one of the few countries in the world where crime is almost unheard of. It’s also free of any harmful animals or insects !

In 2003, Niue became the world's first "wi-fi nation", in which free wireless Internet access is provided throughout the country by The Internet Users Society-Niue.

Coral chasm in Niue

Credits: www.niueisland.com  and more at: Wikipedia

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Guinness World Records 2013: Some bizarre and Interesting Records - Compilation II

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One our previous post [Click Here] we read about some weird records. Here are a few more interesting ones:

The heaviest rideable bicycle weighs 750 kg (1650 lb) and was built by Wouter van den Bosch (Netherlands) and ridden in Arnhem, Netherlands.

Picture: Ranald Mackechnie/Guinness World Records 

Largest collection of Barbie dolls : Bettina Dorfmann (Germany) has 15,000 different Barbie dolls. She has been collecting Barbies since 1993.
Picture: Ranald Mackechnie/Guinness World Records.

Largest collection of Hello Kitty memorabilia: Asako Kanda (Japan) has 4,519 different Hello Kitty items. Her house is filled with Hello Kitty items, such as a Hello Kitty frying pan, a Hello Kitty electric fan and a Hello Kitty toilet seat.

Picture: Shinsuke Kamioka/Guinness World Records

The youngest professional drummer is Julian Pavone (USA) (b. 14 May 2004). As of 21 March 2010, he was five years, 10 months, three days old.

Picture: Kevin Scott Ramos/Guinness World Records

The largest drum set is comprised of 340 pieces, is owned by Dr Mark Temperato (USA) and was counted in Lakeville, New York, USA. Dr Mark Temperato is a member of the band called Jesus the Soul Solution. He transports the drum set in a custom-built trailer.

Picture: James Ellerker/Guinness World Records

The most balls juggled is 11 and was achieved by Alex Barron (UK), who managed 23 consecutive catches in what is known as a qualifying” juggling run. This feat was achieved at Roehampton Squash Club, London, UK.

Picture: Sam Christmas/Guinness World Records

The largest mining truck body by volume is the Westech T282C Flow Control Body which has a volume of 470.4 cubic metres at a coal density of 0.86 tons/m3. It was designed and manufactured by WESTECH (USA) an Austin Engineering LTD company and was presented and measured at the North Antelope Rochelle Mine, Wyoming, USA.
Picture: Guinness World Records.

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Guinness World Records 2013: Some bizarre and Interesting Records..

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The latest edition of the Guinness Book of World Records has already hit the bookshelves by September 13 2012. It’s the 57th edition of the world's best selling reference book.

And this year the book has some new entries such as the world shortest bull, the oldest gymnast, Largest Biceps, Shortest Woman and the lowest car. One record holder this year is for the world's tallest mohawk.

The book, of course,has many more interesting records to offer, but it's pretty impressive itself. The book is published in 22 languages in more than 100 countries and it's expected to sell around 2.7 million copies. 

Lets have a look at a few interesting records:

The world's largest biceps belong to Mostafa Ismail (Egypt) and were measured for left arm flexed at 64.77 cm (25.5 in) and non-flexed 62.23 cm (24.5 in) and for right arm flexed at 63.5 cm (25 in) and non-flexed 60.96 cm (24 in). The measurements were taken in Franklin, Massachusetts, USA which is where Mostafa now resides.

Picture: Guinness World Records/PA

More about him: Check here [Man with the World’s Largest Biceps]

The heaviest competing sportswoman living is sumo wrestler Sharran Alexander (UK) of London, UK, who weighs 203.21 kg (448 lbs).

Picture: Guinness World Records/PA

 The oldest gymnast is Johanna Quaas (born: 20 November 1925, Germany) who, at the age of 86 years, is a regular competitor in the amateur competition Landes-Seniorenspiele, staged in Saxony, Germany. She performed a floor-and-beam routine on the set of 'Lo Show dei Record' in Rome, Italy.

Picture: Guinness World Records/PA

The tallest living dog is ‘Zeus’ (USA) a Great Dane, who measured 1.118 m (44 in) tall and is owned by Denise Doorlag and her family, of Otsego, Michigan, USA.Zeus also takes over the 'Tallest dog ever' title from previous holder 'Giant George'.

Picture: Guinness World Records/PA

The tallest living horse is Big Jake, a nine-year-old Belgian Gelding horse, who measured 20 hands 2.75 in (210.19 cm, 82.75 in), without shoes, at Smokey Hollow Farms in Poynette, Wisconsin, USA.

Picture: Kevin Scott Ramos/Guinness World Records

The shortest bull is Archie, a 16-month-old Dexter Bull, fully registered in the Northern Ireland livestock inventory, in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, who measured 76.2 cm (30 in) from the hoof to the withers.

Picture: Guinness World Records/PA

The tallest donkey living is Oklahoma Sam, a four-year-old American Mammoth Jackstock, who measured 15.3 hands (155.45 cm; 5 ft 1 in) tall on 10 December 2011, and is owned by Linda Davis of Watsonville, California, USA.

Picture: Guinness World Records / Rex Features

The tallest mohican measures 113.5 cm (44.68 in) and belongs to Kazuhiro Watanabe (Japan). The length was verified at Bloc de l'art hair salon, Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan.
Picture: Shinsuke Kamioka/Guinness World Records.

Source: Guinness World Records

Check out the next list of Amazing World records: [Click here]

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