Author: Ms. R.

On May 1, 1942, a small group of communists enjoyed a clandestine celebration in central Vienna. It didn’t matter that they were imprisoned by the Gestapo and each in solitary confinement; they had long ago realized that their toilets were connected to the same pipes, and by removing water from the siphon and sticking their heads into the bowl, they were able to talk to one another. They took advantage of this daily, discussing letters from home, their hopes……

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On a cool October morning in 2006, I was circling the property of the abandoned Bethlehem Steel mill. Located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, it had been the flagship production plant of a company that was once one of the largest steel producers in the world. The sprawl of brick buildings was punctuated by broken windows, twisting pipes, and the towering spires of blast furnaces. The very concept of attempting to sneak in to photograph such a labyrinth felt foolish and……

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The IJssellinie is a fortification built to keep Russian forces out of the Netherlands during the Cold War. This fortification, built in secret around 1950, had the capability to close the Waal River at Nijmegen and the Nederrijn River at Arnhem with floating dams. If there was an attempted invasion, this would flood the Ijssel River and flood large portions of land. If this plan was activated, a large number of people and livestock would be at risk; thus, the……

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Iconic images of Tokyo often include Tokyo Skytree, the tallest tower in the world, and the famous Mount Fuji. But this view isn’t part of everyday life in the city. Mount Fuji is only visible from certain spots on clear days, and while Tokyo Skytree offers a sweeping panorama of the city, you won’t see the tower itself when you’re at its observatory. That’s why the photographer’s best-kept secret lies not within Tokyo proper but just beyond its border,……

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Basílica Menor de Santo Antônio do Embaré is a prominent Catholic church with a beachfront view. Designed by Maximilian Emil Hehl, it boasts beautiful Neo-gothic architecture: pointed arches, stained glass windows, an 18-meter-tall nave with painted murals, and more. Its origins can be traced back to a chapel built by Antônio Ferreira da Silva in 1874. After his death, it was abandoned for 20 years, but was rebuilt and inaugurated in 1911, then expanded upon again in 1915. It was……

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As if a charming chocolate shop in the heart of downtown Quebec weren’t enough of a draw, this fine chocolatier gives you another reason for coming. Upon entering, visitors will notice it opens up to a room full of historical artifacts and tools used to make chocolate. There are also sculptures and houses made of chocolate—and even an entire woman’s dress. While you browse the collection, a slideshow passes which showcases the world’s largest cup of hot chocolate, a……

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Anyone cruising the M1 between Lilongwe and Mzuzu will have plenty of spectacles and obstacles to help them stay alert on the long drive, but few are as welcome and majestic as the sight of Elephant Rock looming over the Viphya Plateau. Malawi is dotted with inselbergs (“island mountains”) like this one, but as a bornhardt—a special type of inselberg that is dome shaped and barren—Elephant Rock is particularly evocative of one of Africa’s icons. Although the highest point……

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