Buzz
You don't need to dive into the fantastical worlds of J.K. Rowling or C.S. Lewis to find magic. A simple walk down your local street could introduce you to people who seem like they've stepped straight out of a fantasy novel. While you may not encounter fairies or trolls along the way, Earth is full of remarkable individuals who seem to exist beyond the realm of ordinary life.
If you're eager to meet these extraordinary individuals, just wish with all your might, shout 'I believe in Mytour!' and discover the 10 remarkable men and women listed below.
10. The Mushroom Musician
In the realm of fantasy, enchanted forests are a familiar theme, especially if you're diving into the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. However, it's not just trees that are imbued with magic in these woods. If you listen closely enough, you might hear melodies emerging from the forest floor. Who’s orchestrating this woodland symphony? The mushrooms, naturally. Or at least, that's what Vaclav Halek, a Czech composer, believed. Whenever he encountered a black morel or a toadstool, he imagined the mushrooms were singing, filling the air with mycological music. And he wasn’t simply inspired—he truly believed the mushrooms were creating their own music.
Halek's unusual bond with fungi began in the 1980s, during a mushroom hunt near Prague. While preparing to photograph a solitary fungus, he was suddenly enveloped by the sounds of string instruments and flutes. Elated, the musician pulled out a notepad and began jotting down notes, moving from one mushroom to the next, listening to the unique melodies each one seemed to play. Before long, he had composed an entire mushroom symphony. Halek believed that every mushroom had its own distinct tune. 'I think that every mushroom has its own idea which the Creator breathed into it,' he once said, 'and that it’s possible to hear this idea if we’re modest enough and if we ask the mushroom nicely to sing it for us. I’ve always been able to hear it.' This belief drove Halek to wander through parks and forests, picking mushrooms and recording their tiny songs.
In his lifetime, Halek composed over 5,000 musical pieces, each inspired by mushrooms, and each composition carried profound meaning. For Halek, one piece represented 'the joy of freedom, knowing it would soon come to an end,' while another captured 'the endless cosmos, as if one were gazing into the deep space images taken by the Hubble telescope.' Ultimately, his goal was to honor God and evoke a sense of awe for the universe. Unfortunately, the world became a little less magical when Halek passed away in 2014.
9. The Wandering Goat Man
We're not referring to the infamous axe-wielding creature that reportedly attacks cars in Maryland. Instead, we're talking about Charles 'Ches' McCartney, a real-life version of Radagast the Brown. While McCartney wasn’t endowed with magical powers, he did have a striking beard, an eccentric personality, and a peculiar mode of transport. Just as Radagast relied on his Rhosgobel Rabbits, McCartney traveled across the United States in a weather-beaten wagon pulled by goats.
According to legend, McCartney was born in Iowa in 1901 and ran away from home at the age of 14. He eventually ended up in New York, where he married a knife-thrower who was ten years older than him. Her job? Throwing daggers at him for a living. In 1935, he took a job clearing forests for the Works Progress Administration, but a tree nearly killed him in the process. The tale goes that McCartney didn’t regain consciousness until the mortician attempted to inject him with embalming fluid. Regardless of whether that part of the story is true, McCartney's life took a dramatic turn after his near-death experience. He became a fiery preacher, determined to save America from its sins. He purchased a wagon, loaded it with cooking supplies and aluminum signs, and attached it to a team of goats—ready to hit the open road.
McCartney, alongside his loyal goats, journeyed across America's back roads, halting traffic and spreading his message. As expected, his lifestyle was anything but conventional. He seldom bathed and drank copious amounts of goat’s milk. During his downtime, McCartney would immerse himself in books like the Bible and Robinson Crusoe, often entertaining strangers with stories while trying to sell them postcards featuring the 'Goat Man.' Over the course of his travels, he visited Canada and 49 U.S. states (sorry, Hawaii). Wherever he went, his special two-legged goat would ride upfront beside him on the buckboard.
McCartney eventually settled in Jeffersonville, Georgia, where he started a mission that became his base of operations. Of course, life on the road wasn’t without its dangers, and McCartney was mugged several times. On one occasion, thieves even killed two of his goats. His wandering finally came to an end in 1985, when he traveled to California to marry actress Morgan Fairchild. Unfortunately, upon arriving in Los Angeles, he was severely beaten and sent back to Georgia. He spent his remaining years in a southern nursing home, passing away at the age of 97… though some believe he was over 120.
8. The Right-Handed King Of Hohoe
If you saw Cephas Bansah strolling down the street, you'd probably assume he's just an ordinary man. At 66 years old, married, and running a garage in Ludwigshafen, Germany, Bansah fits the profile of an average working individual... well, by day at least. Once the sun sets and he locks up his garage, however, Bansah undergoes a remarkable transformation: he goes from being a mechanic to a monarch. Originally from Ghana, Bansah moved to Europe as a teenager to study abroad. After meeting his future wife, he decided to settle in Germany, likely planning on spending his days as a mechanic for the rest of his life... but destiny had other plans for him.
As it turns out, Cephas has royal ancestry. His grandfather was the king of Hohoe in southeastern Ghana, but after his passing in the late '80s, a dispute arose over who would succeed him. Normally, Bansah's father or older brother would have inherited the throne, but there was a problem—both men were left-handed. Throughout history, left-handed individuals have often been stigmatized, and in Bansah's tribe, lefties were considered unclean and dishonest. With his father and brother out of the picture, the crown passed to right-handed Cephas. The fact that he lived in Germany and could use his connections to send resources back to Ghana likely helped, too. Despite this, Bansah wasn’t eager to move back to Africa, so he rules his kingdom from his home in Ludwigshafen, communicating with his people via Skype and settling disputes from afar.
Beyond resolving conflicts, Bansah has done much to help his 200,000 subjects. He's provided water purification systems, ambulances, generators, and medical care. He visits his kingdom about six times a year, has helped pay for schoolchildren’s education, and was even instrumental in building a much-needed bridge. And yes, King Togbe Ngoryifia Cephas Kosi Bansah does indeed wear his own crown and royal golden chains. Unfortunately, thieves broke into his home last year and stole the royal jewels, but no thief can stop the right-handed king of Hohoe from ruling his people with effectiveness.
7. The Great American Rainmaker
Charles Hatfield was either a genuine rainmaker or the most brilliant con artist of his time. As a young man in the early 1900s, Hatfield worked in his father's sewing machine business in Los Angeles, expecting to one day take over the family operation. But Hatfield had grander ambitions. In his spare time, he immersed himself in shamanic rituals and studied books such as 'The Science of Pluviculture.' For those unfamiliar, 'Pluviculture' is just an elaborate term for 'rainmaking.'
Armed with an extensive knowledge base, Hatfield began experimenting and soon created the perfect blend of 23 secret chemicals. With the help of his brother Paul, Hatfield constructed 6-meter-tall (20 ft) towers, climbed to the top, and cooked his chemical concoction in a large cauldron. As the vapor rose, Charles claimed that the mixture would cause clouds to form and, soon after... rain would fall in torrents. Before long, Hatfield gained fame across America as a legitimate rainmaker. He traveled from California to Mississippi, bringing rain to parched towns. Newspapers sang his praises, and desperate communities happily paid him thousands for his services. And Hatfield always delivered. Wherever he went, rain followed, though critics accused him of tracking the weather and predicting the storm's arrival.
Eventually, Hatfield had the chance to silence his critics once and for all. The city of San Diego was in the grip of a devastating drought, affecting crops, the economy, and threatening an important upcoming exposition. Taking a risk, the city council offered Hatfield $10,000 to fill the Lake Morena Reservoir... and boy, did they get their money's worth. On January 1, 1916, Charles and Paul built several towers and filled multiple cauldrons with their magical brew. That’s when the skies opened. Winds reaching 100 kilometers per hour (60 mph) whipped through the city, torrential rains drenched everything, and catastrophic flooding obliterated entire homes. Gigantic waves swept through the streets, telephone poles toppled, and somewhere between 20 to 50 people perished in the deluge.
When the storm subsided, and Hatfield came to claim his payment, the San Diego authorities were not pleased, especially with the avalanche of citizens filing multimillion-dollar claims. The city officials refused to give Hatfield the $10,000 unless he took full responsibility for the devastating storm. Furious, Charles reluctantly admitted that it was all just a coincidence and returned to his former life as a sewing machine salesman. Hatfield passed away in 1982, leaving behind a bizarre story that inspired a movie starring Burt Lancaster. To this day, no one knows exactly what chemicals Hatfield used in his rainmaking formula.
6. Headmaster Of The Icelandic Elf School
As we've seen before, Icelanders take elves very seriously. According to a 2006 poll, 56 percent of Icelanders believe these pointy-eared creatures might be real. Some people even keep tiny elf houses in their gardens, just in case the little beings need a place to rest. In fact, a highway construction project was once delayed because activists were concerned that the roads might disturb elf habitats.
One of the most devoted elf enthusiasts is Magnus Skarphedinsson. He has spent over 30 years interviewing hundreds of individuals who claim to have encountered elves. One witness recounts how a rock near his farm magically turned into a church, complete with a charming priest. Another person claims an elf borrowed her scissors, only to return them a week later. As for Skarphedinsson, while he has never seen an elf himself, he insists that he can identify all 13 species, not to mention gnomes, trolls, and fairies.
Fortunately for those curious about elves, Skarphedinsson is eager to share his knowledge. That’s why he founded an elf school in Reykjavik, Iceland's capital. Situated on Sidumuli Street, his classroom is filled with mystical books, fiber-optic plants, and typical elf statues that, according to Skarphedinsson, bear no resemblance to actual elves. Classes take place at 3 p.m. every Friday and last around three or four hours. Students learn about the elves’ activities such as fishing and farming, their skill in forecasting the future, and how they once warned humanity about the battle between good and evil. In addition to offering lectures about the Hidden People, Skarphedinsson provides study materials and diplomas to those who complete the course.
Naturally, you may be wondering why Skarphedinsson believes in elves despite never having encountered one himself. This question troubled the headmaster so much that he consulted a clairvoyant friend for an explanation. According to the psychic, all the elves agreed never to reveal themselves to Skarphedinsson because they feared he would ask them too many questions.
5. The Real-Life Willy Wonka
He may not imprison green-haired dwarfs or drown children in rivers of chocolate, but apart from those minor details, Charlie Harry Francis is essentially the real-life Willy Wonka, complete with a top hat. However, instead of candy, Francis specializes in ice cream. He is the eccentric genius behind Lick Me I’m Delicious, possibly the most magical ice cream company in existence. The flavors that Francis creates put Ben & Jerry’s to shame. If you can imagine it, Charlie can make it. He’s crafted ice creams with flavors like roast beef, cheddar cheese, and Brussels sprouts, but those are just the beginning of his flavor experiments.
One of Charlie Harry Francis' most outrageous creations is the ice cream that glows in the dark. The secret behind this glowing treat is calcium-activated proteins taken from bioluminescent jellyfish. When you eat it, the ice cream illuminates like a deep-sea sorbet in the dark. Unsurprisingly, it comes with a hefty price tag—$225.22 per scoop. But this is nothing compared to his most infamous creation... 'The Arousal.' Commissioned by an anonymous celebrity, this adult-themed dessert contains 25 milligrams of Viagra per scoop and tastes like champagne. Originally, Francis wanted it to taste like oysters, but after tasting it, he found it to be quite unpleasant.
Currently, Francis claims to be working on the world’s hottest ice cream. His goal is to craft an ice cream scoop served at 54 degrees Celsius (129 °F), set on fire, and packed with chilies that will wreak havoc on your taste buds. Whether this feat is achievable—or if he’s just having a laugh—remains uncertain, but if anyone can pull it off, it’s the Edible Inventor himself.
After all, this is the same man who invented the nitro ice cream buggy, a cold carriage that uses nitrogen to instantly freeze ice cream. He’s also crafted an edible mist machine that releases flavorful fog. Stick your tongue out, and you could taste apple pie, chocolate cookies, or even lemon meringue. Some of his other inventions include an ice cream pottery wheel, an instant lollipop maker, and even a washing machine that makes chicken soup. We can only hope he’ll someday host a golden ticket competition so we can tour his factory.
4. The Warrior Woman Of Asgarda
In ancient Greece, it was best not to mess with the Amazons, particularly if you were a man. These fierce female warriors were believed to have removed one of their breasts to enhance their archery skills, and some even reportedly castrated their male offspring. While once thought to be mere legend, recent archaeological evidence suggests that the Amazons might’ve actually existed outside of Greek mythology. However, according to Katerina Tarnouska, they are still very much around today.
Tarnouska is a Ukrainian preschool teacher, but that’s just her part-time job. Her true calling is training the next generation of warrior women, and she’s more than capable of doing so. Tarnouska is a world champion kickboxer and claims to be a direct descendant of the Amazons. She believes the Amazons once inhabited Ukraine and that their spirit endures in modern Ukrainian women. To share this wisdom, she opened a training camp in a valley near the Carpathian Mountains, where women gather every summer to learn martial arts.
The women who join Tarnouska’s camp refer to themselves as the Asgarda, and since 2002, over 1,000 women have trained under her guidance. Mornings begin with a run, yoga, and a refreshing dip in a nearby stream. Afterward, Tarnouska educates the women on subjects like Ukrainian history and the vital role of women in society. But the true highlight of the day is martial arts practice. The Asgarda's fighting style is rooted in the traditional Hopak dance, utilizing weapons like swords, nunchakus, and scythes. Tarnouska proudly asserts that this martial art was created specifically for women.
Despite their ability to take down anyone who crosses them, the Asgarda differ significantly from the Amazons in one crucial aspect: they don’t despise men. In fact, the Asgarda encourage finding a “warrior man,” getting married, and raising warrior children. Tarnouska believes that raising a generation of strong Ukrainians is key to the country’s future. While she thinks women should have careers if they desire, she also believes they should settle down and have families once they've achieved their goals. It's a curious perspective for someone who claims to embody the spirit of the Amazons... but we wouldn’t dare challenge her.
3. The Man At The Center Of The World
Jacques-Andre Istel is no stranger to the bizarre—he’s conversed with a dragon, resides at the center of the world, and even constructed his own pyramid. Born in Paris in 1929, Istel's life took an adventurous turn when his family fled to America to escape the Nazis. Istel eventually became a stock analyst, but he soon abandoned Wall Street to open a series of skydiving schools. Skydiving was his passion, but his ultimate dream was to build his own town. In the 1980s, he sold his skydiving business, moved to California, and bought 2,600 acres in the desert. He named his new venture 'Felicity' and proclaimed it the center of the world. But to make it official, Istel devised an extraordinary plan to get the government to recognize his claim.
To convince the county board of supervisors, Istel wrote his own children's book, Coe: The Good Dragon at the Center of the World, which tells the tale of a dragon who finds his way to Felicity and meets Istel himself. Dressed in a tuxedo, he hired several high school trumpeters to announce his arrival and stood before the council, declaring himself the 'ambassador of all good dragons.' Armed with his book, Istel pleaded with the council to officially recognize Felicity as the center of the world... and they agreed.
The Frenchman then set about building a 21-story pyramid to mark the world’s center. Along with the pyramid, he declared himself the mayor of Felicity, built 12 apartments for those wishing to join his town, and constructed a small white chapel on a man-made hill, despite not being religious. He added a spiral staircase that leads to nowhere, a sundial that mirrors Michelangelo’s Arm of God, and even opened a post office. For the grand occasion, he invited a Chinese diplomat to deliver a speech in Mandarin.
But the true highlight of Felicity is Istel’s ‘history of the world.’ In the town’s center, rows of granite panels are anchored 1 meter (3 feet) deep into the ground, designed to stand for 4,000 years. These monuments are etched with an eclectic mix of historical moments, including images of Vincent Van Gogh’s paintings, tributes to Sandra Day O’Connor, and inventions like the safety pin. The panels also feature Viking funeral rites, recipes from Julia Child, and 19th-century political cartoons. Each panel is filled with lengthy passages detailing world history, meant for visitors who may arrive in Felicity thousands of years from now.
2. The Man Who Grows Grapes With Magic
Nicolas Joly is far from your typical winemaker. Nestled in France’s Loire Valley, in the commune of Savennieres, Joly’s vineyard is renowned for producing some of the finest white wine in the world. But Joly’s methods for crafting premium wine are anything but conventional. This French vintner, who prefers the title ‘nature assistant,’ doesn’t rely on modern techniques. Instead, he grows his grapes using what he describes as magic.
Before Joly became passionate about grapes, he was a successful investment banker in both New York and London. However, in 1977, he decided to leave the high-stress world of finance behind, returning to his family’s vineyard in France to take over the business. But Joly had grand plans to revolutionize the way things were done. Inspired by a book written by Rudolf Steiner, a 19th-century philosopher who merged science with spirituality, Joly adopted biodynamic farming practices. In essence, biodynamics rejects modern agricultural methods in favor of harnessing the power of cosmic forces. For instance, Joly times his plantings according to the movements of the Sun, Moon, and planets. He also devotes considerable energy to creating the best manure. This involves filling cow horns with cow dung and burying them during the winter. While underground, the horns soak up the Sun’s 'life force,' transforming the dung into high-quality fertilizer.
Joly also uses other unique preparations—such as oak bark, chamomile, and dandelion—to capture energies from distant planets. Much like the cow dung, these substances are placed inside various animal body parts (chamomile inside cow intestines, oak inside a sheep’s skull) and buried throughout his vineyard. All of these ingredients are mixed with water, then spun in a large machine, a process meant to combine the physical world with the world of 'energies.' Once the wine is bottled, Joly plays music to his alcohol. Additionally, like many biodynamic farmers, he keeps his cellar free from metals. This is based on the belief that metal causes electric pollution, which could ruin the wine. It might sound strange, but Joly doesn’t mind if people think he’s eccentric. Given that his wines are often considered the best of their kind, it’s clear he’s onto something.
1. The Dollmaker Of Nagoro
Once, the Japanese town of Nagoro was a bustling, lively community, but over time, more and more residents moved away in search of better opportunities in bigger cities. As a result, the town gradually turned into a ghost town, now inhabited by just 35 people. If you were to visit Nagoro today, you would find empty houses, abandoned streets, and an old, unused school building.
And hundreds of life-size dolls.
The dolls can be seen lounging against houses, sitting on park benches, or even working in the fields. Some are busy at tasks like plowing, while others pass the time fishing. You’ll find a few dressed in business suits, others in construction worker gear, but nearly all of them have a vacant stare through their black button eyes, resembling characters straight out of a Neil Gaiman novel.
So, where did these dolls come from, and why are they scattered throughout the town? To answer that, you should probably talk to Ayano Tsukimi. Born in Nagoro, Tsukimi, like many others, eventually moved to Osaka. However, after years of living elsewhere, she returned to her hometown to care for her aging father. Upon her return, Tsukimi dabbled in gardening and crafted a life-sized scarecrow in the image of her father. This marked the beginning of her doll-making journey. Inspired by the scarecrow, she decided to create one doll for every person who had either left the village or passed away. Today, Nagoro is home to roughly 350 dolls, some perched in trees, others gathered outside stores, and many seated at their desks in what could be described as the eeriest classroom in the world.
Despite their unsettling appearance, Tsukimi doesn’t view her dolls as creepy. When she speaks about them, her voice is filled with a sense of nostalgia. These aren’t mere dolls to her—they are cherished memories. 'That old lady used to come and chat and drink tea,' she says, recalling one of her button-eyed neighbors. 'That old man loved to drink sake and tell stories. It brings me back to the old days, when they were still around and in good health.'
