VOLUME ONE
CULTO
SPAIN
CHINA
UNITED STATES
INDIA
DISCOVER THE LIFESTYLE AND CULTURES FROM AROUND THE WORLD. THE FIRST ANNUAL EDITION WILL FEATURE COUNTRIES THAT PORTRAY THEIR OWN UNIQUE BELIEFS, TRADITIONS, AND WAY OF LIFE.
CONTENTS
10 EDITOR'S LETTER Our editor is one of the most passionate individuals on earth. She strives to be a world traveler and experience as much of the world as she possible.
13 AROUND THE WORLD Choosing where you go on vacation or visit might be hard sometimes. However, these must see destinations in America, Spain, China, and India can’t be missed.
15 GOOD EATS Staple foods and distinct portions are minimalized in different parts of the country. American food is similar yet different to food around the world.
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BEST FOOD
AFTER HOURS
LIFE STYLE
Food around the world comes in many different sizes, flavors, and porportions. Explore the variety of foods that these four countries have to offer.
Partying and going out is very popular among countries. Check out the night life an DJ's who were super stoked to be featured in our first edition magazine.
Ever wonder what it was like to grow up in a different country? Take a look at the lifestyle and culture that people from other countries live on a daily basis.
SPAIN
CHINA
UNITED STATES
INDIA
WELCOME TO CULTO Here, we devote ourselves to comparing and exposing aspects of daily lifestyles and cultures across the globe through imagery and type. This issue takes the reader on a journey through India, America, China, and Spain.
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ABOVE: SEAN HARRINGTON EXPLORING ROYALE PALACE OF MADRID
ABOVE: BIKERS TRAVEL THROUGH EL RETIRO
PHOTOGRAPHY BY: VIN MAZZARO
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR No matter how often I travel or how many trips I make in any given year, I look forward to each and every journey with a sense of anticipation and, yes, almost juvenile excitement. Even when returning to a familiar destination, I always find there’s something new to discover—a restaurant that wasn’t there before, a hidden cove with sandy beach that I’d overlooked, or perhaps a well-known attraction that I simply hadn’t had time to take in last time around. I can remember travelling enormous distances as a child in Africa, and I honestly don’t recall ever asking the proverbial “are we there yet?” that so many parents seem to dread. With family and friends spread fairly diversely throughout southern Africa, trips like a Cape Town to Johannesburg jaunt for a weekend wedding were fairly common practice. As you read through this issue of Culto, I hope we manage to awaken a tiny cluster of butterflies somewhere deep within you, and that you let them have full reign as you plan your next venture around our incredible part of the world.
RENEE SCHIAVONE
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AROUND THE WORLD "Send in pictures of country landmarks to be featured on the next issue of Culto."
EARTHS TOP DESTINATION SPOTS
Every issue, the editors select the best spots to visit out of the 4 countries compared in the text. There are so many parts of the world that people have yet to explore. Choosing where you go on vacation or visit might be hard sometimes. However, these must see destinations in America, Spain, China, and India can’t be missed. People can feel free to send in their favorite places to possibly be featured on the next issue of this magazine spread. If you need to plan your travel trip. Make sure to take into account air fares, the right hostiles, and beware of tolls and stuff. 2015’s best in the US list includes a mix of up an coming destinations, old favorites, with new high lights posed to shine. We hope you love to explore and see new things because the whole world seems to want to explore these days. No matter what their taste in travel is, they just want to get out and experience the world. Be safe on your travels and always make sure to consider safety precautions.
THE FORBIDDEN CITY OF BEIJING The Forbidden City was the Chinese imperial palace from the Ming dynasty to the end of the Qing dynasty—the years 1420 to 1912. It is located in the center of Beijing, China, and now houses the Palace Museum. It served as the home of emperors and their households as well as the ceremonial and political center of Chinese government for almost 500 years.
TOURISTS PER YEAR:
75
million
55
million
8
million
65
million
SEVILLE CATHED R A L The Cathedral of Saint Mary of the See (Spanish: Catedral de Santa María de la Sede), better known as Seville Cathedral, is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Seville (Andalusia, Spain). [1] It is the largest Gothic cathedral and the third-largest church in the world. It is also the largest cathedral in the world, as the two larger churches, the Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida and St.
NYC The City of New York, often called New York City or simply New York, is the most populous city in the United States. With an estimated 2015 population of distributed over a land area of about 302.6 square miles NYC is also the most densely populated major city in the United States.Located at the southern tip of the state of New York, the city is the center of the New York metropolitan area, one of the most populous urban agglomerations in the world.
THE TAJ MA HA L , A G R A Perhaps India’s most recognizable building, the Taj Mahal is also the world’s most famous testimony to the power of love. Named after Mumtaz Mahal, the favorite wife of Emperor Shah Jahan, this most beautiful of mausoleums was begun upon her death in 1631 and took 20,000 workmen 22 years to complete. the Taj Mahal is largely constructed of white marble decorated with delicate inlaid floral patterns.
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pictured are top desitination spots top to bottom, The Forbidden City, The Taj Mahal, Seville Cathedral, and NYC.
Some countries try to limit themselves to boiling, frying, roasting, and baking usually, while others use more traditional methods of cooking, like steaming, stewing, sautĂŠing, braising, and quick-fr,ying.
GOOD EATS Staple foods and portions are minimalized in different parts of the world. American food is meat, vegetables and bread. Ham, beacon and tuna are most consumed meat. Rice is minimal. Fast food like Burger, pasta salads, Italian food pizzas, subs and raps are fly by food like are Samosa, dosa, wada pav and chats in India. I have also seen many eat meat chucks in large bowl of fresh vegetables with various sauses and oils  In India over 60% people consume vegetarian diet. Even people who consume meat eat more of rice and roti along with vegetables. Chapati is not in American diet. Rice and curry is totally not on their daily plate. Indians mostly eat home made food. Where as in US it is either processed food or quick to make food at home.  The experience of dining in China is far different than eating at restaurants in America. Manners and menus are almost entirely opposite Menus in China are usually illustrated hardback books, in which almost every single dish has a picture. That means a menu typically has around 20 pages, lined with beautiful photos. Chinese people order food according to the written in description in menus.
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T
he China food culture is typically only given one menu, and when the menu is placed before them, the waiter stands next to the table ready to write down the order. You do not sit at the table and talk for several minutes before ordering; you order when you sit almost immediately. And cold water? It doesn’t exist at the dinner table in China. Hot water is almost always served, even in the middle of summer and even while eating the spiciest food imaginable. And if you order a beer or a bottle of water, better ask for it cold, as their inclination is to serve it room temperature. Of course, alcohol is a totally different culture in China. Without going into detail, you simply won’t find a cocktail menu or really any mixed drinks at a Chinese restaurant. You’ll be lucky to find wine that isn’t made from rice. Alternatively, many Chinese drink “Baijiu,” a common Chinese liquor that is also known as “the whisky of China.” Many Westerners can’t stand the taste. Generally speaking, authentic Chinese food puts more attention on vegetables, bean products, and cooked wheaten food. Most Chinese dishes in the U.S. focus on a kind of meat, beef, pork or chicken, with vegetables just as sides or fillers. In China, however, vegetables and bean products (like Tofu and soybean) are as important as, or even more important than, meat for a dish. Sometimes, meat is just one of the ten or more different ingredients used in a dish. Many authentic Chinese dishes contain several ingredients, which often take a long time to prepare before cooking. Indian people like to use several different spices, a little of each kind, in one single dish. Besides salt and sugar, there are many other common spices in China, including dried chili, wild pepper, star anise, Chinese cinnamon, soybean source, water chestnut powder, etc. Someone once told me that they could never live in Europe because you have to pay for the water. Although you do sometimes have to pay for water in Spain, I think it all evens out in the end given that you have to leave a bigger tip in the U.S. When in Spain: Don’t expect free water at a restaurant. If you ask for water, the server will bring you bottled water, which you will have to pay for. You can always ask for tap water in Spain, but they might look annoyed if you do or refuse to serve it. It’s sometimes even cheaper to order beer or wine than it is to order water. When in the U.S.: Tap water is free. Waiters often refill your water glass without you even noticing.
What a luxury! Vegetarian restaurants do exist on Spain. However, you might not have much luck at a traditional Spanish restaurant. The pig legs hanging on the wall or from the ceiling should be the first sign that Spanish restaurants aren’t very vegetarian-friendly. Ordering vegetable dishes may seem like a safe bet, but they might come with some ham mixed in. Not only do Spaniards eat their meals later than Americans, but they also eat for a longer period of time. Spanish meals aren’t usually rushed and can last over an hour… or two… or three. If you go to a sit down restaurant, don’t expect to get in and out quickly. Dining in Spain isn’t just a way of combating hunger, it’s a time for socializing. Dining is an experience to be enjoyed at a relaxed pace. After all, tapas represent the preferred eating style in many Spanish restaurants. When in Spain: Try to be more open to sharing.
"Spicy, rich, flavourful and diverse are terms that are frequently used to describe Indian cuisine."
pictured top to bottom, Spanish jamon salad, Indian Jhalari, Chinese Tom Yum.
BEST FOOD Top 4 foods from around the world. Not only do Spaniards eat their meals later than Americans, but they also eat for a longer period of time. Spanish meals aren’t usually rushed and can last over an hour… or two… or three. When in Spain: If you go to a sit down restaurant, don’t expect to get in and out quickly. Dining in Spain isn’t just a way of combating hunger, it’s a time for socializing. Dining is an experience to be enjoyed at a relaxed pace. When in the U.S.: It might seem strange if you willingly stick around at the table for more than an hour or so. If you are dining with an American, they might become anxious if the meal goes on for too long. enough.
Indian Food Indian food is more spicy Varieties of Indian food are usually made up from meat and fish to about a hundred different kinds of vegetables, wheat, pulses, rice and abundant spices. Chinese usually eat communally and share their dishes with others. Westerners usually enjoy individual servings. Chinese traditionally eat at round tables, particularly family meals, as it’s convenient to share dishes with others, especially with a lazy Suzy. Roundness symbolizes unity in China. Westerners eat at square tables, which is more convenient for individual meals, with long tables for bigger groups. When in the U.S.: It might seem strange if you willingly stick around at the table for more than an hour or so. If you are dining with an American, they might become anxious if the meal goes on for too long. enough. Indian Food Indian food is more spicy Varieties of Indian food are usually made up from meat and fish to about a hundred different kinds of vegetables, wheat, pulses, rice and abundant spices. Chinese usually eat communally and share their dishes with others. Westerners usually enjoy individual
servings. Chinese traditionally eat at round tables, particularly family meals, as it’s convenient to share dishes with others, especially with a lazy Suzy. Roundness symbolizes unity in China. Westerners eat at square tables, which is more convenient for individual meals, with long tables for bigger groups. When in Spain: If you go to a sit down restaurant, don’t expect to get in and out quickly. Dining in Spain isn’t just a way of combating hunger, it’s a time for socializing. Dining is an experience to be enjoyed at a relaxed pace.
CHINA
Chinese cooks chop everything into bite size peices. They use steaming, stewing cooking methods. They also like to add fresh spices, such as ginger, mint, pepper, garic, chilies. You usually won't find any salt, pepper, tomato sauce on the table in China. Popular foods are chow mein, dim sum, and fried dumplings.
SPAIN
Spanish food includes cured hams, like jamon, and fish cooked in olive oil. Hispanics love feasting on tortillas, which are pounded and baked on griddle. The Spanish eat meals for a longer period of time. Don't expect to get up and leave early. Dining is an experience to be enjoyed at a relaxed place. or resturaunt.
AMERICA
American food consists of items like hamburger, french fries, apple pie, etc. A large percentage of our culture does not understand the value of eating slowely. Fast food chains are cheaper and more efficient with getting your food out faster. People here limit themselves to baking, frying, boiling, and roasting food.
INDIA
Indian food is unique and carries many health benfits. Indians enjoy vegeterian food the most as well as rice. Milk and food grains are consumed a lot. They make roti very often.. They put daal, curd, pickles, and rice in most of their meals. The most popular meals in India are naan, jalebi, and biryani.
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pictured top to bottom, jamon, chow mein, cheeseburger, and jhai muri.
AFTER HOURS “It has seven different floors and each has a completely different vibe and music, making it the perfect destination for all." A unique atmosphere: It’s very common in Spain to see gatherings of people enjoying a drink and chatting and laughing together in the bars from about 10 in the evening, and then on until the small hours of the morning. Not only that, but thanks to the mild temperatures, in spring and summer almost all the venues have an outdoor terrace where customers can sit outside and enjoy their drinks. The most popular days for going out are out Fridays and Saturdays.
Going out for tapas:
Top clubs:
This is definitely one of the Spanish customs you’ll love most. And that’s because going out for tapas doesn’t only mean going from bar to bar having a caña (a small glass of beer) and various portions of typical dishes. It is also a great way of discovering a multitude of bars with a great atmosphere, full of people having fun, and of taking part in what is really a whole way of life. Try asking for a chato (a squat glass of wine), a sangria, a tinto de verano (literally “summer red wine”, or wine diluted with fizzy lemonade), a pulga (mini-sandwich that you can eat.
Nowhere else in the world will you find clubs as famous as those that await you in areas of Spain such as Ibiza. Thousands of tourists flock to our country to discover the legendary nights on offer on this island. The party begins by day with the street parades announcing the evening’s attractions in the clubs that night. Then, unbridled fun and wild partying with go-go dancers, celebrities, a swimming pool inside an enormous club, foam parties... anything’s possible to do in Spain.
Festivals and major events: All year round in Spain you’ll find there are a whole host of music, theatre and film festivals on offer, as well as a wide range of major events which guarantee a great night’s entertainment. These include options to suit every possible taste everything from world renowned massively-attended occasions, through to others which are less well-known but particularly popular and entertaining. You can find out which of these events will be on during your stay in Spain by using the events search engine by date and destinations to places and eventsw.
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"One of the best thing about music is that it has no rules." -DJ MARSHMELLO
P
artying in the USA varies greatly depending on where you are, but as long as you’re not in a rural area, you’ll often find that there are fun things going on, especially on the weekend. Typically party nights start on Thursday, especially in college towns. One of the top places you can go to is Las Vegas, a city made for the nightlife. With rules unlike any other state allowing public drinking and alcohol served 24 hours a day, Vegas is like no other place in th e US or even the world. Many of the top DJ’s visit Sin City and there are always things to be done at every hour of the day! Bar closures and last calls at bars end at
various times depending on individual state law, but don’t expect to stay out too late in the US. In California and many other states, bars and clubs close at 2am, with variations ranging from 1am to 4am (New York). However, in spots like Las Vegas (and actually all of Nevada), bars are allowed to serve alcohol 24 hours a day. The drinking age in the United States is 21 and this is strictly enforced. Expect to have to show proof of age at all times when going out, especially if you are under 30 years old. Most bars and drinking establishments offer a large array of drinks you can order. Nightclubs in the U.S. cover all music scenes. There are clubs that play top 40 music, house music, country music, and even ones with live bands. Gay/lesbian clubs and bars can be found
in many medium to large-sized cities. There are a number of cities that are known for their nightlife and are great trips if that’s what you’re looking for. This includes cities such as Las Vegas, with all the most famous nightclubs, and other cities like New Orleans and New York City known for their nightlife. China offers a lot in the way of night time etertainment. From amazing internationalstandard bars to cocktail lounges, clubs, plays, ballets and live music, the city has it all. But once the party really gets started the group always ends up at one of these amazing clubs. You can shake your booty from late until well after the sun has risen at some of Beijing’s most glamorous, seedy or downright kitsch clubs and stuff. For downtown fun where you’ll always find a crowd head to the Worker’s Stadium. Fringed with clubs like Vics, Mix, Banana and many others, the Worker’s Stadium is the go-to spot for late night (or early morning) partying. But the fun comes with a side dish of danger as the bouncers in the area are known to be overly zealous, and have taken to harassing Western and African clients, including several severe beatings. Meanwhile, groups of drunk locals are known to dislike Westerners hitting on Chinese
women in these clubs. As with anywhere in the world, stay with the group and be safe, and you’ll have a world of fun! In recent years, India has become increasingly popular for it’s bars, night clubs and music festivals. Whether your idea of partying is relaxing on a rooftop while sipping a local beer, or raging all night at a night club, or dancing to EDM at a music festival The diversity and liveliness of the big cities are reflected in its epic nightlife scene. And it’s awesome! In some cities, like Mumbai and Delhi, there are specific venues for after parties which go until 3-4AM. But you must make local friends who can show you where to go because I don’t know the exact spots. It’s also important to know that different states in India have different laws, curfews and legal drinking ages. For example, in Delhi, the drinking age is technically 25 (although it’s not strictly enforced), but in Goa, it’s 18. Almost all other states in India is 21, but once again, it’s not strictly enforced because venues will just want your business.
“I do it for my love and passion for music. And the people from the United States of America.� -Juaz
pictured top to bottom, Miami, FL, India, and Beijing
“I sometimes wish I could experience a more fast paced lifestyle than Spain.”
LIFE STYLE Spains very laid back culture is from everything happening a lot later and this can have a short term effect on how you feel. With the typical working day starting at 10am, lunch and a siesta between 2 and 4 and many people not leaving the office until 8 in the evening, you do not tend to get to bed until very late.Spainards can be much more laid back( and probably happier in this sense) than the rest of us. Spanish people are described as nice and funny. Warm and welcoming, they have a very strong sense of family and we tend to gather often to share a meal. They also have an incredible sense of humor and tend to laugh at themselves. The Spanish are very open and friendly and talkative, except very touchy and aggressive.
Everybody is happy to talk to each other and they will always be happy to meet new people. They can also be very loud. and shouting all the type when they are just talking about what their grandma had for dinner last night. Not to mention, do not expect to have lunch before 14:00 and dinner before 21:00. In America, it is seen a little differently in terms of being much more fast paced and scheduled. This is progress in America. You always move forward and there are no limits to how far you can go or how fast you can get there. Don’t pause, don’t reflect. You win or lose. You’ll fall behind and fail if you stop moving. Fast at any cost is the mantra of a stressed and distressed American society today.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY: VIN MAZZARO
L
ifestlye in America is characterized by over-scheduling and fast paced living. Double-booking has been signs of progress and belonging for two decades. Practices that used to cause embarrassment became proudly rationalized as multi-tasking, a new skill to master. You juggle 10 plates while you brag about your 90-hour week and pop your Ambien to get to sleep. This is success in America. Progress equals fast, which equals success, a recipe for addiction. Society is now dominated by beliefs, attitudes and ways of thinking that elevate the values of impulse, instant gratification and loss of control to first line actions and reactions. “I want it now!” or “Do it now!” are valued mantras for today’s withit person, young or old. We live under a weight of demands, real and imagined, that is debilitating. We see an alarming increase in stress-related disorders of all kinds for all ages, beginning with elementary school-age children who are struggling with obesity,
depression, anxiety, attention disorders and all kinds of learning disabilities, a list of problems for all ages. The younger generation is growing up with an addictive inner pressure and chronic stress as normal. When they can’t go any faster and they can’t slow down, it will be a hard road to pick up the developmental pieces they’ve missed in our wild rush for progress. China's culture is at the basic unit of society, while individuals are only one part of the family. The blood relationship between the father and son is the most important element of society. The culture of the Chinese people, as shown in the conduct of their daily lives, closely adheres to the precepts of Taoism. Taoism is inclined to simplicity in all things. People thoughts and feelings conform to each season as they become one with nature, acting in harmony with everything on earth, and valuing human relationships. Since one’s life must respect and conform to the seasons, the jieqi (seasonal
division points in the calendar) must be acknowledged. Festivals and jieqi are particularly important to the Chinese people and friends. Not only in festivals and other special occasions, examples of Chinese culture may be seen in everyday activities of the Chinese. In playing the lute or chess, reading or painting, the important thing is not technique, but rather one’s frame of mind when conducting these activities. The tea ceremony originated in China. It focuses the attention of participants on clarity of thinking. and refinement. Zen Buddhism has extensive following.
in Chinese history; its practice influenced the daily habits of a great number of people. Zen Buddhism may be the best way to exemplify the mysterious quality of oriental culture. This is a way of life that pursues harmony with nature and with others, simplicity, and a feeling of warmth and oneness with anything at all. country where people of unlike communitnities.
“Caught in a chaotic, frenzied spiral of a new addiction, people in America are chasing money, power, success and a wilder, faster pace of life.�
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pictured top to bottom, Miami, FL, India, and Beijing
SPAIN
CHINA
UNITED STATES
INDIA