Journalist Iain Akerman follows Mona El Hallak, a Lebanese architect and activist, as she tries to reconstruct facets of the city’s past through the archive of a long-defunct photographer’s studio.

Anny Gaul, a scholar of North African and Middle Eastern culinary traditions, takes us on a deep dive through the centuries-long history of Bstila (or Pastilla), one of Morocco’s signature dishes (bonus: recipe included).

Sweden-based travel photographer Lola Akinmade Åkerström reflects on the invisible barriers that stand between her (and every traveler’s) camera and the strangers that become the subjects of many of her most powerful photos.

At Two By Tour, Yvette Benhamou and J. Endress explore the sites and streets of Cuenca, Ecuador. In their latest adventure, they wander the El Museo de Cultura Prohibido, a museum of sacrilege with dubious “artifacts,” see graffiti and street art, and explore a Belgian brewery in the Andes Mountains.

Lovely short musings by Robyn Haynes on our innermost selves and the things we leave behind: “For all we think we know of those who have passed, their possessions — personal information, social status, official records, even diaries — what they leave us is an imperfect record, it can never be the whole story.”

On vanlife in the San Francisco Bay Area: “A van might cost about $600 a month with a five year loan. There’s insurance, gas, maintenance, and a gym membership for showers and such. But compare that to the one bedroom apartment it’s parked in front of that’s renting for $5,400 — assuming you can…move in.”

“Books and articles have been written about reverse culture shock. The identity crisis. . . . I find this state of consciousness intriguing rather than distressing. The thrill of disorientation and shattered perceptions. Besides, I never fit in to begin with.” J.D. Riso returns home after 19 years of a nomadic life.

At Travel with Nano B., Nano shares a photographic tour of well-known places and her own favorite spots in and around Tokyo to see cherry blossoms and enjoy the hanami season.

Toby and his human companion explore and climb the Roaches in England.

“Five months after the hurricane and my island, my people, my family still carry open wounds from that horrendous day.” Street and dance photographer Omar Z Robles visits his home, Puerto Rico, on an emotional and difficult trip. In this photo essay, he captures beautiful portraits of dancers.

Williamsburg, Brooklyn, comes alive through its street art. Take a photo tour, courtesy of photographer Jacqueline M. Hadel.

At For the Love of Nike, Jennifer takes us on a photographic tour of Hobbiton — the land of the hobbits as filmed in The Lord of the Rings — in Matamata, New Zealand.

Guy Shrubsole digs up land-registry data to discover a secret network of Cold War-era tunnels just beneath central London — maps included.

Veteran blogger Angela has been writing Fluid Pudding since 2001. The warm, witty voice that has kept fans reading for almost 17 years is in full effect in this ode to her recently-demolished childhood home.