Author: Ms. R.

Built in 1960 to be the administrative centre of the new state, this strange, Brutalist behemoth has never been occupied due to structural issues. The interior remains unfinished and unusable. In 1945, following the Nazi defeat, the Soviet Union claimed the Königsberg area from Germany. They kicked the entire German population out, brought in their own people, and updated the city’s name to Kaliningrad. In an effort to clean up after World War II bombardments, the remains of the……

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In the dark days after the fall of the Alamo, on March 6, 1836, James Fannin, commander of the Texian garrison at Goliad, was frozen with indecision. He had fortified the mission grounds of La Bahia, but recent defeats at Refugio and San Antonio made the fort vulnerable to the advancing Mexican armies under General Jose de Urrea and Santa Anna. By the time word came from General Sam Houston, ordering the Texians under Fannin to fall back to……

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Fishcake is a modest but almost essential ingredient in Japanese culture, known all the way since the Middle Ages. It can be found in many varieties such as chikuwa, datemaki, naruto, crab sticks, and of course, kamaboko. Founded in 1865, Suzuhiro is considered an authority in the manufacture of kamaboko and other fishcakes. It has its main factory in the Kazamatsuri neighborhood of Odawara City, as well as a museum dedicated to the history and culture of kamaboko. Free……

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This piece was originally published in Vox and appears here as part of our Climate Desk collaboration. One morning this week, Hanna Koch was snorkeling in the Florida Keys when she came across a brown beer bottle on the sea floor. Koch, a marine biologist for Florida’s Monroe County, picked up the bottle, planning to carry it with her and later toss it out. Through her dive mask, Koch peered inside to make sure it was empty. That’s when……

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The Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia is home to many important artifacts from American history. Many visitors come to see Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, overlooking lesser known sights including the Benjamin Franklin Museum and Franklin Court. Franklin Court is bordered by brick houses on Market Street and contains a printing office exhibit, the Fragments of Franklin Court exhibit, and a the a working branch of the United States Postal Service known as the B. Free Franklin……

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In the barren mountains of southern Tunisia, at the gates of the Sahara desert, it rarely rains. When the rains do come, they can quickly turn to torrential downpours. In 1969, a flood lasted 22 days, forcing the inhabitants of the Berber village of Tamerza to abandon their homes and rebuild further down the valley. Today, it is still possible to see the ruins of the old village along the road going from Tozeur and the large salt lake……

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In the central Serbian city of Kragujevac, a pop culture and bicycle museum, the 20 Cola Museum or Muzej Bicikala i Pop Kulture “20 Cola,” takes visitors back to a time when bicycles were a beloved mode of transportation, especially for young Serbians in the 20th century. In addition to many unique bicycles, the museum also exhibits toys, magazines, vinyl records, cassette tapes, comics, VHS tapes, video games, consoles, posters, and other memorabilia mainly from the 1980s. The museum offers……

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Jesse James didn’t find his resting place easily. After being shot dead by Bob Ford, James’ body was buried three times and exhumed twice. Today, his final resting place is in a cemetery down the road from his birthplace in Missouri. He is buried next to his wife, first cousin Zerelda, as well as his mother, stepfather, and half brother. On the run and without many former members of his gang, time was running out for Jesse. A hefty……

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A long weekend lunch in the countryside is a hallowed tradition for residents of Oaxaca City, and Luz de Luna makes an ideal escape. Located in the village of San Andrés Huayapam about 20 minutes east of the city, this charming indoor-outdoor restaurant with views of Oaxacan foothills started life in 2012 as a traditional comedor famed for its hearty breakfasts. A few years ago, though, its matriarch and chef, Micaela Ruiz Martinez, and her son, Pavel Nieto, decided……

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