The unusual customs of the world

And here’s the weather in the US with… a large rodent!

Will winter keep its icy grasp on the land? Will the flowers bloom early? In the United States of America, a large rodent called a groundhog is said to have the answers and he’ll reveal all on the second day of the second month. Punxsutawney Phil is the most famous of all groundhogs and he makes his appearance in Punxsutawney in Pennsylvania.

If it’s cloudy when he pokes his head from his burrow, folklore has it that spring is already on its way. If the sun is shining and Phil runs from his shadow, winter is going to stick around. Thousands gather to watch groundhogs emerge at various festivals.

3. 
   Monkeying around in Thailand
   

Proving that customs don’t need to be as old as the hills to be accepted, Thailand’s Monkey Buffet Festival has grown year on year since its inception in 1989 when a local hotelier came up with the idea to boost tourism.

The temples of Lopburi (two hours by road north of Bangkok) are festooned with mountains of fruit and vegetables – even cakes – and the local population of macaques is allowed to feast. People dress like monkeys, while monkey art decorates the streets.