A Mysterious Clue “No food, no foot gear, and several hundred miles to the ship,” wrote Jørgen Brønlund, the last survivor of a three-man sledge team that perished in 1907 during the Denmark Expedition to survey far northeastern Greenland. Brønlund, an Inuit native of Greenland, managed to walk to a depot that had been prepared ahead of time, seeking shelter in a cave though he could go no farther due to frostbite and darkness. His body was found four months later, along with his diary, which held a tell-tale black material on the last page. That black spot offered clues to the doomed explorer’s last moments.  READ MORE →

GASTRO OBSCURA Vanilla in Madagascar It’s pretty likely that there is exactly one product from Madagascar in your home right now. That product is vanilla, and Madagascar is at the moment the world’s leading producer of this ubiquitous natural flavor—despite the fact that Madagascar is a very strange country to be the world’s leading producer of vanilla, since vanilla (at least the vanilla we eat) is not native to Madagascar. It’s also a chaotic place to do business, as an article in The Economist’s 1843 Magazine showed in 2019. The modern vanilla industry in Madagascar involves crushing poverty, splurge-producing wealth, theft, murder, and money laundering—in addition to natural disasters and the leveling of pristine forests. READ MORE →

ATLAS OBSCURA EXPERIENCES Unwrapping Wrapping History ‘Tis the season to meticulously (or haphazardly, we don’t know) wrap gifts in crinkly paper, ready to be opened on Christmas Day. Wrapping presents has been part of gift-giving traditions for a millennia; as a $5 billion industry, wrapping presents has become almost as significant as the gift itself! In tonight’s episode of Nina Nightingale’s Charm School, we’ll discuss the long history of shrouding objects in mystery for the purpose of presentation, then you’ll learn several ways to up your own wrapping game with a sustainable twist! Just in time, too. GET TICKETS →

PISA, ITALY The Camposanto While the Camposanto (Monumental Cemetery) is right next to one of the most recognized buildings in the world, it does not see nearly as many visitors. The silence and stillness when traversing the open-air hallways adds to the sometimes haunting nature of the 14th-15th-century frescoes, not to mention that the stone floor tiles are all gravestones dating to the late 13th-century and sarcophagi are scattered throughout the halls. Well respected and famous people rest here, including members of the Medici family. From the beginning, this building was designed to preserve the history of medieval Italy. READ MORE →

The Subtly Radical Life of Thailand’s Bhikkhunis The Venerable Dhammananda, born Chatsumarn Kabilsingh, is thought to be Thailand’s first female monk—called bhikkhuni—in the Theravada branch of Buddhism, which is dominant in Southeast Asia and Sri Lanka. The life of a bhikkhuni is subtly radical: In a country of about 300,000 male monks, Ven. Dhammananda estimates there are fewer than 300 fully ordained female monks in Thailand. Officially, only men can become monks in Thailand, and while the bhikkhunis have found their community generally welcoming, they have still encountered resistance across the country from those who believe female monastics are illegal. READ MORE →

The Original Saint Nick Saint Nicholas may not have had a round belly and a bright red suit, but he did have a white beard and was widely known for his generosity and kindness. Also known as Nicholas of Bari or Nicholas of Myra, the fourth-century bishop often brought gifts to the less fortunate and was responsible for many miracles. He’s a patron saint of the falsely accused and children (in addition to sailors, broadcasters, unmarried people, and more), and celebrations known as Saint Nicholas Day or the Feast of Saint Nicholas take place every year in December. Here are some places dedicated to the memory of the original. READ MORE →

ATLAS OBSCURA TRIPS X TASTEMADE Swim with Tonga’s Singing Whales Humpback whales are among the most seasoned composers of the sea; stringing together long, drawn-out notes to make complex melodies, they sing to attract a curious listener—more specifically, a mate. Next September, you’ll have a chance to dive alongside a small group of Atlas Obscura and Tastemade travelers into the waters off the coast of Tonga in search of these ethereal whale songs.  LEARN MORE →

FROM THE ARCHIVES Christmas Cakes In Japan, Christmas cakes are a big deal. Starting in November, bakery chains, hotels, restaurants, department stores, supermarkets, and convenience stores announce their cake line-ups to huge fanfare, with popular cakes selling out far in advance of the holiday. Japanese Christmas cakes serve as a mash-up of American and French pastry, with the cake serving as a secular symbol of celebration that arose after decades of media promotion of Christmas as a stylish, romantic event. READ MORE →

EASLEY, SOUTH CAROLINA Tiny Town of Easley Perry and Ollie Jennings began Tiny Town in 1974, when Perry built Ollie a small replica of the log cabin she had always wanted to live in, but knew was unlikely in her future. The mini version of her dream home brought so much pleasure that the building continued, with Christmas lights becoming a festive addition in 1977. Soon, Tiny Town became a holiday staple in Easley, a place to bring the kids and admire the handiwork of the Jennings. READ MORE →

SPONSORED BY NISSAN The Compton Cowboys In 2017, Keiara Wade became a pioneering member of the Compton Cowboys, a group of rogue horseback-riding friends committed to helping at-risk youth and reclaiming the value of their lives, their community and their heritage. The Cowboys' motto, “Streets raised us. Horses saved us,” isn’t just a string of empty words—they’re competing in national rodeos and polo competitions, organizing peaceful protests, and mentoring the next generation of urban equestrians. LEARN MORE →