VIDEOS

America 250 block party at National Gallery of Art. Celebrating 250 years of American art & creativity. Events will be held indoors and outdoors across the East and West Buildongs and 4th St plaza. There will be food, music, art making, video screenings, curator talks and more. 🗓️Saturday, June 6 ⏰10 am - 4 pm Rain or shine.
America 250 Block Party
Definitely my most intense corpse flower experience to date. With my last few corpse flower encounters, I thought it smelled like funky feet or gym socks. But this corpse flower is an overachiever by comparison. And over the course of about 30 minutes, the funk really intensified.
Does it really smell like a corpse?
Last chance to catch a corpse flower in action at the U.S. Botanic Garden in Washington, DC. Well, at least until the next round of blooms. The USBG conservatory is staying open late until 9 pm tonight to give visitors a chance to catch one of the corpse flowers at peak bloom and full stink. There have been 4 corpse flowers active over the past 2 weeks. This is the final in that group to bloom. Corpse flowers typically bloom only once every 7 - 10 years. So if you want to catch one in action, this is a great chance to do so if you’re in DC. Top things to do in DC Unusual things to do in DC DC gardens
Last chance for corpse flower at USBG in DC
FOUR corpse flowers in action at the U.S. Botanic Garden in Washington, DC. Why are they called corpse flowers? Because for a brief period during blooming, often for only a day, give or take, the plants emit a very pungent odor, which has been likened to rotting flesh. Do they really smell that awful? I didn’t think so. I thought more like stinky gym socks. But it seems to be a highly individualized experience. I overheard someone say burnt cabbage. But another person was practically gagging. Why do corpse flowers stink? To attract pollinators like flies and beetles that might otherwise be drawn to decomposing meat or garbage. Two of the plants at USBG are past peak bloom. The other two are expected to hit their peak in 7 - 10 days. Given that corpse flowers typically bloom only once every 7 - 10 years, it’s worth a trek to USBG if you’re in DC. Especially if you’re already sightseeing at the Capitol nearby. For bloom updates you can check in-person with conservatory staff. Or call 202-225-8333. 📍100 Maryland Ave., SW Washington, DC ⏰10 am - 5 pm daily. Unlike in years past where the conservatory was open for extended hours during corpse flower shenanigans, this time around they’re keeping normal business hours.
RARE chance to see multiple corpse flowers blooming
Little Baby Tough Stuff, flexing his chops. So. Dang. Cute. He mock charged our game vehicle. Then quickly chilled out for a dirt bath with mom to cool down. This was one of my favorite encounters during our 4 night safari with Simbambili Game Lodge in South Africa (part of the @Thornybush family). I was in a constant state of disbelief regarding how close we got to all the wildlife on our game drives. This is one of the huge perks to picking a safari location like Sabi Sand, where you can go off trail for wildlife spotting. And. . .Simbambili’s private concession meant that we didn’t have to jockey with queues of other game vehicles for prime wildlife sightings.
Adorable Baby Elephant’s Tough Guy Act
The Notre Dame apple at A. Lacroix Pâtisserie while sitting across from Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. A sweet tart confection with Granny Smith apple confit, apple mousse, and almond biscuit base, encased in a thin white chocolate shell. Tasty pastries, friendly staff, and indoor/outdoor seating options make this worth a stop when visiting Notre Dame Cathedral. 📍LOCATION A. LACROIX Pâtisserie 11 Quai de Montebello 75005 Paris, France ⏰HOURS Monday - Sunday 10 am - 7 pm
The Viral Notre Dame Apple
We saw the Big 5 and so much more during our game drives with Simbambili Game Lodge in South Africa. I’d go back again without hesitation. Best safaris in Africa. Top game lodges in South Africa.
Hippos Sound Like THIS?
British Airways is hiking the cash part of award tickets starting May 27. Because $1000+ between US & UK in biz class isn’t already enough?? I’ve never been a fan of booking award tix thru BA. You can often get the same BA flight for fewer miles through American or Alaska (yes, you still have to pay the hideous taxes/fees). But if I now have to pay not only the inflated Avios rate, but also an even more hideous cash amount on BA award tix, I won’t be looking to boost my Avios balance anytime soon. From their outdated business class seats (seriously, WHAT is with the 2-4-2 configuration on certain routes) and soon-to-be even more outrageous pricing, is BA becoming the least desirable way to cross the Atlantic. . .
British Airways Price Hike on Award Tix
Own a piece of Parisian opera fashion! May 29 - 31, the Paris Opera will conduct a RARE sale of select costumes and accessories from assorted operas and ballets. Productions include Eugene Onegin, The Capulets and the Montagues, Eliogabalo, Les Indes Galantes, The Merry Widow, Samson and Delilah, AIR, Coppélia, Psyche, and Siddharta. Prices will range from €2 to €800. Entry is only per advance reservation (€10 entry fee). So if you want to shop, be online May 21 when ticket sales open. Registration site: https://www.operadeparis.fr/en/info/exceptional-sale-of-stage-costumes 🗓️Sale Dates: May 29 - 31, 2026 🎟️Admission by reservation only, €10 entry. ‼️Reservations open May 21 at 2:30 pm (Paris time). 📍Modular Hall of the Opéra Bastille, 110 rue de Lyon, Paris 12
RARE Chance to Buy Piece of Paris Opera
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