December 02, 2021

GASTRO OBSCURA Chop Suey History Most people in the English-speaking world know chop suey as a vintage Chinese American dish. For decades, scholars and foodies have heaped scorn on it, with some accounts calling it a “brownish, overcooked stew, strangely favorless, with no redeeming qualities.” Harsh. Chop suey’s history, in fact, is much more acclaimed than you might think, with discrimination and mistranslation long obscuring the dish’s true origins. READ MORE → The Case for Pigeon-Watching Spare a thought for the pigeon. It’s an easy creature to dismiss as it hops around city streets, pecking through discarded food and roosting in rafters. But pigeons have a long history—they’ve been domesticated, depicted in art (and the Bible), and even recruited as allies in combat. Rosemary Mosco, author of A Pocket Guide to Pigeon Watching: Getting to Know the World’s Most Misunderstood Bird, sat down with us to talk about why pigeons are worthy of wonder. READ MORE → ATLAS OBSCURA COURSES Want To Start A Podcast? This Sunday, join Hrishikesh Hirway of the award-winning music podcast Song Exploder, and learn how to craft a compelling interview-based podcast. In this 3-part online lecture series we'll explore everything from preparing and conducting an interview to editing and presenting the podcast in its final form. This class is for podcasters (and podcasters-to-be) of all levels. Seasoned hosts and producers interested in learning more about someone else’s approach are welcome, too! ENROLL NOW → OUTER HEBRIDES, SCOTLAND Scalpay Bridge The Isle of Scalpay in the Outer Hebrides has a population of approximately 300 and is connected to the archipelago’s most populated region by an impressive bridge. Before the bridge opened, the Sound of Scalpay waters could only be crossed by ferry. Building a road to Scalpay, however, was a particular challenge—a low causeway was not deemed viable, and required a raised bridge instead. Construction on the bridge started in 1993, and when it opened in 1997, the first person to drive across was Scalpay’s oldest resident, 103-year-old Kirsty Morrison. READ MORE → FROM THE ARCHIVES Predatory Worms More than 20 million years ago, off the coast of what is now northern Taiwan, a marine creature tunneled vertically in the seafloor sand, then veered to the side. Every now and then, the animal—probably a skinny, sprawling, ancient worm—jutted its head above the sediment, snatched some prey, and dragged the unwitting morsel into its warren. When it died, its body wasn’t preserved, but though its body has vanished, scientists can begin to decode the story of its life thanks to evidence of its ambushes. READ MORE → THE ATLAS OBSCURA PODCAST Abandoned Chacaltaya Ski Resort The Chacaltaya Ski Resort was once the only ski resort in Bolivia. The popular resort also had the honor of being both the highest ski resort in the world and home to the world’s highest restaurant. But when the mountain’s glacier melted, it was all but abandoned. In this episode, we visit the caretakers of this once-famous skiers’ paradise. ALAMO, NEVADA The Black Mailbox On a deserted stretch of road known as the “Extraterrestrial Highway” between Alamo and Rachel, Nevada, there is a lone mailbox with the names of two recipients. A larger box is labeled with the unassuming name of “Steve Medlin”; a smaller box is simply marked “Alien.” The box has been a popular meeting spot for the extraterrestrial-obsessed, with some camping near it for days in the hopes of spotting alien life. READ MORE → FROM THE ARCHIVES Forgotten ‘China Girls’ Imagine: You settle into your chair. An old film’s queued up on the big screen. Suddenly, you see it: a few frames of a woman’s head before the film plays. This was a ‘China Girl’, a frame meant as a form of quality control for lab technicians. Photo labs produced these unique images for years, but with the advent of digital films, the China girls are disappearing. READ MORE → ATLAS OBSCURA TRIPS Sacred Granaries, Kasbahs and Feasts Delve into the rich culinary history of Morocco, from its ancient granaries and local markets. Enjoy home-cooked meals and learn the secrets of Berber cuisine through hands-on cooking lessons. All while experiencing the treasures Morocco is best known for: the beautiful Sahara Desert, the gorgeous Atlantic coast city of Essaouira, the UNESCO World Heritage Site Kasbah Aït Benhaddou, and solemn mosques. VIEW FULL ITINERARY → FROM THE ARCHIVES Grand Canyon Caves Many of the millions of visitors snapping selfies on the Grand Canyon’s rim have no idea that the ruddy limestone cliffs are pockmarked with hundreds of caves. The network within the steep walls is filled with hidden reminders of the region’s cooler past, since for tens of thousands of years, these hard-to-reach crannies have provided the perfect home for wood rats, birds, and now-extinct mountain goats and sloths. READ MORE → WASHINGTON, D.C. Lincoln Memorial Undercroft This cavernous three-story, 43,800-square-foot basement, featuring architecture that wouldn’t look out of place in a World War II bunker, sits below the Lincoln Memorial. For about 60 years, it lay forgotten and abandoned. READ MORE → SPONSORED BY LAND ROVER Chasing Oregon’s Beauty Want to go somewhere that feels relatively undisturbed for a getaway? Oregon’s wilderness might just be the place for you. Softball player and Olympic Gold and Silver Medalist Jessica Mendoza recently took us on a firsthand exploration of Oregon’s awe-inspiring wild side, from exploring crystal-clear waters in Willamette National Forest to the thundering Sahalie Falls. WATCH NOW →