Now instead of traveling long distances carrying heavy vats of water, or migrating to the cities to make a living, the villagers can stay put and begin to enjoy their surroundings more.

CNN: The 'Rainman' of Rajasthan

They were waiting for noodles to be cooked to order in vats of boiling water, and were prepared to wait a long time.

ECONOMIST: Momofuku Ando

Scattered around the complex are the bronze vats that contained the water kept on hand to put out fires.

BBC: Beijing's once Forbidden City