Winner: Pluto, followed by Almond Joy, NOLA Girl, Rosebud and Tall Paul
A small turnout tonight and almost half the players ended up on the podium. Even so, no Judge Judy and Carol St. Martin. Come on ladies, you have to step up your game.
Tonight we learned that the fastest snake on land, whose untreated bite is almost 100% fatal, is the black mamba. Be careful out there.
The Smithsonian has a nice video of the Black Mamba, so you will know what to look out for:
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Good Question!: What country’s current capital city is an anagram of its former capital city?
Choices: a. Japan b. Iran c. Egypt d. Mongolia
Answer: Japan
Current capital, Tokyo and former capital, Kyoto.
Kyoto is Japan’s third largest city and also one its oldest. It was originally founded as Heian in 794, and had its golden age during the court’s heyday from 794 to 1185. Home to many cultural landmarks and historical sites, Kyoto is thought of as the heart of Japan. The city still bears the name Kyoto, or “Capital City,” even though the emperor and the National Diet are located in Tokyo. For most of Japan’s history, Heian was the center not only of government but of learning and the arts.
It’s famous for its numerous classical Buddhist temples, as well as gardens, imperial palaces, Shinto shrines and traditional wooden houses. It’s also known for formal traditions such as kaiseki dining, consisting of multiple courses of precise dishes, and geisha, female entertainers often found in the Gion district.
If you want to learn a bit more about Kyoto, try this video from PeachPress:
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If you are thinking of visiting Kyoto, a fascinating city, try to go in October so that you can experience the Kurama Fire Festival: