Author: Ms. R.

It is a mango tree like no other. Standing tall in a nursery near Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, its massive canopy is large enough to seat 15 people for a picnic and its branches hang heavy with fruit. Unlike the young trees it towers over, though, the texture of the leaves on each branch is different: Some are dull green or olive green; others are glossy and vibrant. The mangoes on each branch look different too: round,……

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Because of abundance of mineral veins in the earth, these mountains in Iran‘s East Azerbaijan Province are painted with a rainbow of colors. Bands of red, white, yellow, grey, orange, and other pastel hues tint the rocky landscape. Located outside the city of Tabriz in the northwestern part of Iran, the Aladaglar Mountains are an otherworldly site. Like other painted mountains, such as those found in China‘s Zhangye National Geopark or Peru‘s Ausangate Mountains, these colorful stripes are said to be the result of……

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Between the 7th and 9th-centuries, the city of Gyeongju was the main cultural and political center of Korea, as the capital of the powerful Silla Kingdom that conquered most of the Korean peninsula. During this period, known as Unified Silla, many grandiose palaces were constructed in the prosperous city. The Poseokjeong Pavilion was one of these structures, part of what once was a large royal villa probably dating back to the 9th-century. Sadly, the palace was destroyed and all……

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Feeling dapper? Well, as visitors pass through the Cedars neighborhood of Dallas, Texas they are sure to notice this enormous sculpture of a bowler hat. Designed by Keith Turman, the enormous hat resides on an empty block between Ervay and Browder streets. The sculpture was commissioned by the British furniture brand, Timothy Oulton, as a real-life version of Oulton’s bowler hat logo. It was originally designed to sit atop the Dallas store. After the store closed, the sculpture eventually ended up……

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The majority of tourists who visit the Kazbegi region in Northern Georgia travel to see the Gergeti Trinity Church, a famous church amid the backdrop of the spectacular Caucasus Mountains. Those who travel the short distance further up the Georgian Military Road are rewarded with this truly magnificent waterfall.  Translated into English, Gveleti means “places of snakes,” a reminder to be aware of the wildlife in the area. Those who visit are often able to spot eagles, hawks, and Griffon……

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After a year spent eating many of the same meals, made in the same kitchen, in the same house, I think many of us are yearning to get out, travel, and taste a larger slice of the world. Around the globe, people have sacrificed to keep each other safe during the pandemic: We gave up large family dinners, trips to regions with fantastic food, and visits to our local watering holes. Now, thanks to public-health measures and vaccination campaigns,……

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