November 28, 2022

BIRD’S-EYE VIEW  Mont Saint-Michel From Space  It is one of the most beautiful and recognizable abbeys in the world: Rising above the medieval walls of a tidal island on France’s northwestern coast, the monastery of Mont Saint-Michel seems to float in the glassy waters of the surrounding bay. It’s an impressive sight, to be sure. But when seen from space, it takes on an even more majestic appearance. During the winter months, the iconic French site casts a perfect shadow on a bay full of history—and quicksand.  READ MORE → GASTRO OBSCURA Ancient Road Snacks The next time you embark on a road trip, consider bringing along qurt, a traditional dried dairy product that has sustained nomads across Central Asia for centuries. Qurt is traditionally made by straining fermented milk from a sheep, goat, cow, camel, or mare until it’s thick enough to be rolled into balls and dried in the sun, but freeze-dried versions have nourished Soviet cosmonauts in space. Today it’s still hailed as a source of longevity, said to improve digestion, ward off osteoporosis, and support the health of children as well as pregnant and lactating women. READ MORE → LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM Books for Cooks The firetruck-red storefront of Books for Cooks, in London's Notting Hill neighborhood, reveals little of the culinary utopia that lies within. The store exclusively sells culinary books from around the world, and is first and foremost a bookstore. But they also test out recipes in-store from the cookbooks on display. Talk about food for thought. READ MORE → ATLAS OBSCURA COURSES 20% Off All Online Courses! Atlas Obscura Courses offer deep and dynamic online learning in underexplored disciplines—from lockpicking and experimental perfumery to reading gravestones and writing fairy tales. Designed and taught by subject-matter experts and experienced educators, and available in both live and on-demand formats, our courses offer the opportunity for students of all ages to explore niche topics and skills. For today only, use the code CYBER20 to get 20% off any course. ENROLL NOW → NATURE IS BEAUTIFUL The Psychedelic Yukon Delta The Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, in southwestern Alaska, is one of the world’s largest deltas. The state’s two biggest rivers empty separately into the Bering Sea here, and the landscape between them is pocked with thermokarst lakes, shallow depressions created as permafrost melts and sags. The northern section of the delta, where the Yukon River meets the sea, fans out in a dizzying network of waterways. It’s this fan-shaped grand finale of the Yukon that’s been showcased in numerous, eye-catching false-color images over the past two decades. READ MORE → SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA Encryption Lava Lamps What’s encrypting your web traffic as you surf the internet? An advanced algorithm created by a supercomputer? Actually, if the site you’re visiting is encrypted by the cybersecurity firm Cloudflare, your activity may be protected by nothing other than a wall of lava lamps. There couldn’t possibly be a groovier way to keep the internet secure. READ MORE → A TASTY WAY TO CHILL OUT Gastro Obscura's Ice Cream Collection Our Hijinx Ice Cream set is here! It’s DIY, but do you need skills? Absolutely not. All you need is hot water, a blender, and a dream.⁠ Each box includes Persian faloodeh (one of the world's oldest frozen desserts), Moose Milk (the Canadian military's favorite coffee cocktail), Blue Moon (a fruity Midwestern mystery), Yuzu Meringue (scoopable Japanese aromatherapy) and Masala Colada (a spiced piña colada)⁠. It's limited edition, and these flavors don't exist in tandem anywhere else. Discover, taste, and share fascinating and forgotten stories through ice cream this holiday season. ORDER YOUR SET → CEREAL DEATHS The Long Death of Product 19 When you hear the name “Product 19,” you’ll either flash on an experimental invention from some corporate R&D department, or, if you’re one of its fans, you might think of the health cereal, rare in the aisles of American supermarkets yet loved all the same. In November of 2016, Kellogg’s announced that it had officially discontinued the cereal. While most people these days seemed to barely know of its existence, Product 19 died—a slow, oaty, fade to black, leaving devoted fans desperate. READ MORE → POOLE, ENGLAND Bethan's Rock When visitors to Poole Museum reach its second floor, they are greeted with displays that showcase the stories and lives of famous and influential Poolers who have shaped the coastal Dorset town. In one cabinet on this floor sits a small rock. Is it a local paleontological find? Not quite. Instead, it bears a rather heartwarming story behind it. READ MORE → GASTRO OBSCURA TRIPS Eating Our Way Through Lisbon Join us in spring 2023 as we venture beyond Lisbon’s tiled buildings and narrow streets to discover its long legacy and vibrant innovations in culinary inventiveness. From its iconic egg-custard pastries to its fresh-from-the-water seafood, this unique journey will be a feast for all your senses. Dig in today. BOOK YOUR SPOT →