Riga, Latvia

From big cities to small towns, the big treat about traveling anywhere in Europe is visiting the fruit and vegetable markets. They are everywhere. Surprised to see watermelon at this one? It originated in southern Africa, not the American South. [2003]

Rock Sound, Eleuthera, The Bahamas

Pizza and subs have taken over the world. Here in the Bahamas, it might be better to buy them inside and eat them at that table outside (nicely positioned in the shadow of the building). And, if you are feeling generous, you might offer a bite to that dude on the cycle. [2014]

Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands

Yes Dear. That was his answer. Her question was: "Won't you please buy the biggest boat you can find and take me out sailing?" Certainly, you must know that it was he who wanted the boat. [2014]

Cuzco, Peru

Marketing trends seem to have reached Peru from the Global North, but not child labor laws. He spends his days helping his family get by. When he gets thirsty, he won't even drink what he is selling. That would amount to a lost sale. [2001]

Singapore, Republic of Singapore

They are waving at you, so wave back! Popular culture rolls across the landscape in waves. The Hello Kitty wave began in Japan and crested globally in the 1990s. But, the knock-offs (like these) continued. What makes a frowning cat so appealing? Maybe the wave. [2011]

Bang Plee, Thailand

Let's call them genius loci. Translated (from Latin), that means 'spirits of place.' These spirits do seem to have a glow about them: in part because they're gilded and in part because they are street lights. But one appears to be a broken spirit. Which one? [2016]

Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia

What's the tree of life in coastal regions of the tropics? The coconut palm. It provides food, water, oil, fiber, and building materials. Today, you can add to the list coconut honey, wine, vinegar, sports drinks, geotextiles, fiber board, erosion-control mats, rubberized car mats, and biodiesel additives. [2016]

Havana, Cuba

Cuba installed a new President last week. No, it wasn't this guy. But, it might as well have been: 'cause Raoul is still on the scene and remains head of the Cuban Communist Party. Will the time ever come when Cuba is Castro-free? As for this companero and his tat, it looks like he would have been a revolutionary had he been around in the 1950s. [2014]

Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, Mexico

What is the population of planet Earth? Did you answer 7.6 billion? You should have asked for clarification. Earth is inhabited by more than one species, not just humans. The question might have meant: What is the sea lion population of planet Earth? Today is Earth Day, so let's try not to be so egocentric! Share your home with other species. [2016]

Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain

Look up! It's International Astronomy Day. Clouds permitting, the least you can do is find the North Star (unless your're somewhere down under)! So, why would an international observatory be located in the Canary Islands? Just look at those blue skies and how far you are from any light pollution. Plus, you're 8,000 feet above sea level (less atmosphere). [2017]

Choudrant, Louisiana, USA

There's a new bridge in town, a new covered bridge. It's for pedestrians only, and it's already become a place for at least one youngling to get away from the world and contemplate his future. He's made the space his own. [2018]

Crossett, Arkansas, USA

An empty lot on Main Street now provides a quasi-permanent place for a trendy (though folksy) food truck. Big Daddy flips the burgers as customers assemble outside for a business meeting over lunch. "The food is wonderful and so are the owners": so says a post on Facebook. [2018]

Vicksburg, Mississippi, USA

It remains a visual reminder of the 1920s when it was built as the hotel of record in downtown Vicksburg. Today, it has been refurbished into apartments, many with some of the best views of the Mississippi River anywhere. But, that rooster is a problem: He starts crowing at sunrise. [2018]

Tucson, Arizona, USA

Speaking of proboscises, don't forget the anteater. Arthur, here, uses his elongated snout (and even longer tongue) to feed on ants and termites. He is the most well-known of four anteater species; he's a giant anteater. [2018]

Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

These are two of the Asian elephants at Cincinnati's Zoo. Just look at those proboscises. They are used for drinking and bathing, smelling and touching, and communicating. Of course, they are also used for eating, but the Asian elephant's cousins in Africa are more likely to use the end of their trunks for grazing and grasping. [2013]

Birmingham, Alabama, USA

It's alive, muscular, and a bit hairy. It is a proboscis, but it doesn't belong to a moth, butterfly, or mollusk. So, to what does this proboscis belong? Come back tomorrow for the answer. [2018]

New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Jackson Square hosts a cavalcade of festivals every year, but the art market that uses the surrounding fence goes on all the time. Overlooking the scene are the steeples of St. Louis Basilica, saliences that define the French Quarter itself. [2018]

New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

How do you make a flood wall look like a living part of the city instead of a deadening barrier? Add one or more murals, fountains, and sculptures. With the in-progress wall replacement, we'll see how much of this public art survives. [2018]

New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Since Canal Street never was a canal, it should be re-named Hinge Street because it hinges together the two most prominent islands in the cultural archipelago that is New Orleans. On one side is the French Quarter, on the other the CBD (the old English quarter). Strategically positioned between the two: food trucks. [2018]

Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico

The Huichol people of Jalisco and surrounding states have given Mexico one its most internationally recognizable folk arts: bead work that captures centuries of tradition and capitalizes on the talents of local artists. In addition to a menagerie of chimerical animals, the beads are used to decorate vases, bowls, and masks. [2008]

Jaffa, Israel

Here's the fish that made Jaffa famous. And, a certain prophet named Jonah, too. It was on Jaffa's shore that "the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land." Your assignment: Compare and contrast the symbolism attached to the Jonah story by Jews and by Christians. [2010]

Bristol, England, UK

Bristol is the unicorn capital of the world. There are unicorns everywhere, including two on the city seal and two of bronze that guard city hall from way up high (or at least high enough to escape a Noah-like flood). Let's name this one Brizzle. Happy Unicorn Day! [2015]

Jal, New Mexico, USA

They are simply silhouettes, but they catch the eye, symbolize the spirit of place, and provide a focal point of identity. When artist Brian Norwood erected the sculpture in 2000, Jal's fortunes were in decline. Now, thanks to the energy market (alas, not the ranching economy), they are soaring. [2018]

Kiawah Island, South Carolina, USA

Kiawah Island is a town whose essential message is "keep out unless you belong here." Guard houses and gated developments abound. The island has 30 miles of trails, 10 miles of beach, 7 golf courses, and 1 county park.  But, there are 0 grocery stores, 0 hardware stores, 0 churches, 0 cemeteries, 0 schools (public or private), and only 1 gas station. [2012]

Quincy, Pennsylvania, USA

Wherever you are, train yourself to look both up-slope and down-slope. Then, stop and rest awhile as you decide which way you want to go. What's up-slope here? Last season's cornfield. What's down-slope? Your guess (but the steps lead somewhere). [2018]

Williamsburg, Virginia, USA

Feeling faint? Or peering through a pane of colonial glass? Along Duke of Gloucester Street, the right answer must be the latter. And, it might offer some insight into our sense of history. We never see the past with the clarity we imagine; it is always imperfect and distorted (just like our memories). The distorted building here is Virginia's colonial courthouse. [2018]

Atlanta, Georgia, USA

There are two realms of flamingos in the Western Hemisphere. One centers on the Caribbean and one on Chile. These are Chilean Flamingos, but they are not in South America. They are catching eyes at Zoo Atlanta. The Chileans aren't as pink as their cousins to the north. [2014]

Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

There are two realms of flamingos in the Western Hemisphere. One centers on the Caribbean and one on Chile. These are American Flamingos, but they are not in the Caribbean Basin. They are catching eyes at Albuquerque's Biopark Zoo. The Americans are pinker than their cousins to the south. [2017]

Phoenix, Arizona, USA

April is national Foot Health Awareness Month. If you take care of your feet by wading in the mud each day, your lower extremities might soon look as healthy as these. If you want them to turn pink, though, try eating lots of beta carotene. Whose feet are these? Come back tomorrow or the next day to find out! [2018]

Jerusalem, Israel

Early morning it was, on the day we call Easter. Right here (now within the Church of the Holy Sepulcher) sat an angel. He was guarding the empty tomb of Jesus. From his mouth, the messenger of God delivered these words: "He is not here: he is risen." And, the world has not been the same since. Happy Resurrection Day! [1995]