Author: Ms. R.

Video games use all kinds of techniques to evoke a response from players. Often, it’s an appeal to the senses: a jumpscare, a vibrating controller, evocative music. But pixels have a hard time representing smell and taste. Plenty of video games feature food nonetheless, whether that means pizza as a power-up (think the arcade classic Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles In Time) or as a gift to gain the affection of a game character, à la Stardew Valley. With……

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There is something special about having a tree as the main thing that draws people to a place. The island of Mannar in Sri Lanka is one of the few spots that can make that claim.  The island has a long history of pearl fishing that dates back to at least the second century. Mannar came to be renowned for its pearls, among other resources, and its location on a thriving trade route attracted merchants from Europe and the……

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This site housed a pool from the late 19th century and remained open until the late 1980s. Initially there was just a pavilion for changing to allow use of a semi-natural pool filled by incoming tides but later developments enclosed the bay with concrete walls. On land extra facilities were installed including a ballroom and the pools were provided with slides and fountains. In 1928, a boating pond was added to the complex. After the pool was fully developed,……

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Nature reserves often bring to mind roaming buffalo, lions, elephants, maybe a rhino. A future reserve in the fishing town of Rio Lagartos, in the Mexican state of Yucatán, will be different. Close to salt mines and mangrove forests, it might see flamingos and sea turtles stop by. But the purpose of this place, less than a square mile across, will be to protect a much less charismatic species: sea cucumbers. Sea cucumbers are shaped like turds, and have……

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At the intersection of River Road and Seven Locks Road in Potomac, Maryland, a tiny cottage still stands on the same small parcel of land, once known as Magruder’s Honesty, where it was originally constructed in the mid-1700s The shop is believed to be the handiwork of Ninian Magruder, Sr., according to a historical marker that stands adjacent to the building. Also, his initials are carved into the chimney. An outside fireplace used by the blacksmith has long been covered……

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A masked superhero patrols two of Tokyo’s busiest districts, on a mission to help Japanese citizens defeat the coronavirus. Its name is Koronon, and it’s a bulbous, bubblegum-pink cat. The crusader is a mascot—a person in a plush costume—with a big X slashing through the phrase “COVID-19” on its belly. Throughout the day, it prowls busy Ikebukuro and Shinjuku, handing out masks. Koronon also serves as a visible reminder to practice social distancing and hand hygiene, the pandemic equivalent……

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The island nation of Malta is only about 17 miles long and 9 miles wide, but it boasts over 350 churches. The quiet Church of St. Paul’s Shipwreck is neither the largest nor the most ornate on the island, but its namesake harkens to one of the most dramatic tales in the early Christian church, commemorating the shipwreck of St. Paul. According to the story recorded in the Bible, Paul was being taken to Rome to be tried as……

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The bronze sculpture “Abstrakce” (“Abstraction” in Czech), also known as “Abstraktní plastika” (“Abstract sculpture”), was installed in the year 1973 in Sítná housing estate. This piece of artwork was created by the Czech sculptor Miloš Zet (1920–1995), who was mostly known for his massive monuments and realistic statues. Yes, in this context it sounds a little bit paradoxical. The sculpture Abstrakce was originally just a copy of older piece from the same artist, which had been erected in 1971……

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