Do you know that there’s a Bubblegum Alley in California?
The world is filled with many fascinating and unique destinations that offer a chance to escape the mundane and experience something truly unusual. However, some of these are a little different. In fact, they are weird, to be precise. Would you believe it if we told you there is a house in Massachusetts that is built entirely of paper, or a spa in Japan where you can swim in a bowl of ramen? These peculiar places amuse us to the hilt. Here, get ready to explore some of the world’s most unusual and weird attractions!
Toilet-themed park in South Korea
In Suwon, South Korea, you can visit a toilet-themed park. Known as the Restroom Cultural Park, it is home to scatological sculptures and various toilet styles. These include European chamber pots, traditional Korean squat toilets, and historical urinals shaped like four-legged creatures with a round hole in place of a face. There are also photographs of public restrooms and information about the importance of sanitation. Don’t worry, the park also has modern and functional restrooms for its visitors. Unlike traditional theme parks, the toilet-themed park does not have any rides. Instead, tourists often take photographs of the exhibition. However, it was not designed for entertainment but for education. The toilet park, known as Mr. Toilet House, which opened in 2012, was inspired by Sim Jae-duck, the mayor of Suwon, who spent his life trying to improve the city’s toilets. During his time as the mayor, he also founded the World Toilet Association in 2007, which is improving sanitation worldwide to date! In 2007, he built the world’s first toilet-shaped house in Suwon City to raise awareness about the importance of sanitation around the world. After his death in 2009, his home was turned into a museum that was further expanded to become The Restroom Cultural Park.
Bubblegum Alley in California
In San Luis Obispo, California, a well-known landmark called Bubblegum Alley draws tourists from all over the world. This 15-foot high, 70-foot-long alley is covered from top to bottom with chewed gum left behind by adventurous visitors. But where did this sticky tradition start from? The alley’s history is shrouded in mystery. Some believe the tradition began after World War II as a graduating class event of the San Luis Obispo High School. A few others believe it began in the 1950s as a rivalry between San Luis Obispo High School students and California Polytechnic State University. Either way, the alley survived two cleaning attempts in the 1970s because it was deemed unsanitary by local businesses. In 1996, the Business Improvement Association attempted another cleaning, but it was rejected, and the gum walls remained. Today, the alley is a sight to behold, with gum stretching up to 10 feet high and visitors leaving their marks with notes, art and pictures! As a bonus, you can even see pop culture references written in gum!
Rajasthan’s rat-infested Karni Mata temple
The Karni Mata temple in Deshnoke, Rajasthan, is a popular tourist destination. The temple has a beautiful Mughal-style marble facade and silver doors built by Maharaja Ganga Singh in the 20th century. But instead of the goddess Karni Mata, the temple is famous for rats! Yes, the temple is home to 20,000 black rats known as ‘kabbas’, who are believed to bring good luck to those who pay their homage. According to local legend, the rats were once soldiers who deserted a battle and were saved by the goddess. Another legend claims that the rats are reincarnated versions of Karni Mata’s step son and her male children.