Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

In North America, the three months of summer begin tomorrow. In the Antipodes, the three months of winter begin tomorrow. No matter what geographers say about the high- and low-sun seasons beginning with the solstices, the months of June, July, and August hang together as a cabal of their own. "Life. Be in It." [2011]

Battambang, Cambodia

From half a millennium before the Common Era began: "Just as treasures are uncovered from the earth, so virtue appears from good deeds, and wisdom appears from a pure and peaceful mind. To walk safely through the maze of human life, one needs the light of wisdom and the guidance of virtue." So sayeth the Buddha. [2016]

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

He has been chosen, while on break, to honor all the office workers who inhabit the high rises on Toronto's Canada Square. When he is in his cubicle, he uses the cloud to store and retrieve data, but when he is outside, he uses the cloud to lift his spirits and help him relax. [2010]

Key West, Florida, USA

"The last Monday in May is Memorial Day." So says the U.S. Code. What are we instructed to do today? Pray. Pray for what? Permanent peace. But, presumably also, for the brave men and women who have given their lives for our freedom. [2018]

New Cumberland, Pennsylvania, USA

The case of the crucifixion: a seasonal sermon in symbols for Sunday. Symbol 1: cross-shaped flower. Symbol 2: crown of thorns in the center. Symbol 3: nail holes at edges. Symbol 4: blood stains around the nail holes. Symbol 5: otherwise white, the color of purity. Even more amazing, "dog-" probably comes from the same root as dagger, an instrument of death. [2018]

Douglasville, Georgia, USA

Welcome to "Everytown USA." In the early 20th century, the Coca-Cola script was scrawled across at least one building in town. Then, the murals were all painted over. Now, there's a renaissance. Trying to revitalize Main Street? Let's hope you can rekindle "America's favorite moment." [2018]

Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Welcome to the World of Coca Cola. You're in Atlanta, Coke's hometown, and you're looking back in time to the spectacular neon days of the mid-20th century. The company hopes it makes you thirsty for "the pause that refreshes." [2013]

Andorra La Vella, Andorra

Skateboarders begin to hone their skills on sidewalks; they graduate to quarter pipes like this; they perfect their gravity-defying moves on vert ramps; and now they are going to the Olympics. Get ready for Tokyo in 2020. Heretofore, skateboarding has been a counter-cultural sport (see his hair?), but now it is going mainstream (finally!). [2005]

Whistler, British Columbia, Canada

The vert ramp may be the most challenging of all skateboard ramps. In Whistler, it has taken center stage in the skate park that turns a winter wonderland for skiers into a summer destination for those who want to challenge gravity on wheels. [2001]

Aleppo, Syria

His ancestors were domesticated in this very region over 3000 years ago. (No, not the boy, the ass.) Three millennia later, they are still navigating the narrow streets of ancient cities. In fact, they are probably providing essential labor as Aleppo rebuilds after the four-year battle that left the city incapacitated. [1996]

Rome, Italy

Why is it always a surprise to find American fiction being read around the world? Not just read, but read in a language other than English. Think about it: Spanish Steps, European reader, American author, English original, Italian translation. and (probably) Finnish cell phone. Patricia Cornwell and Dr. Kay Scarpetta would be proud. [2002]

Madrid, Spain

Madrid's Atocha Railway Station is a botanical garden unto itself. The turtle pond has provided a habitat for up to 300 turtles, but it looks like their tenure there will soon end. The stated reasons are overcrowding and sanitation, both of which are problems that could be addressed without closing down the whole exhibit. [2009]

Crossett, Arkansas, USA

Hamburger and french fries: It's the epitome of American cuisine. Availability: ubiquitous! So, there are two things to look up: (1) the meaning of ubiquitous, (2) the rules for capitalizing French. Two questions follow: (1) What does uniquitous (UNIQUitous) mean? (2) Why do we capitalize French in French fries when they have nothing to do with France? [2018]

Covington, Louisiana, USA

Warm weather comes early to southern Louisiana, and soon it is joined by plumpelicious strawberries. At the center of Louisiana's strawberry kingdom is Ponchatoula, where you might even find an early harvest in late February. This year marks two decades for the family-owned Fletcher Strawberry Farm, but the industry goes back over a century. [2018]

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, USA

If you're off work this morning, go fishing. Certainly, there must be a stream like Marsh Creek near you. Or, sit down at your PlayStation and cast a few from Fishing Planet. Time to vote: Which one sounds like more fun? [2018]

Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, USA

On the other side of that dune is the angry Atlantic. It may not be angry today, but its mood swings are severe, so severe that the folks who live here know their time is limited. But, for now, they can enjoy the beach, enjoy the blooms, and enjoy the bounty that God has provided. [2018]

Auckland, New Zealand

What a difference a century makes! Here's a scene that's replicated in cities all over the world: the low-rise skyline of the early 1900s vs. the high-rise skyline of the early 2000s. Let's keep the low-rise buildings around: They remind us of our history and they admit light to city canyons. The low-rise is the former Northern Roller Mills building. [2011]

London, England,UK

It's short, but it's been at the heart of London fashion trends for decades. Since 1973, Carnaby Street has been open only to pedestrian fashionistas, and its always crowded. Just take the Underground to Oxford Circus Station and head southeast. Then, take your place at the stanchion and pull out your mobile. [2015]

Zagreb, Croatia

Receiving a warm-hearted greeting and providing a little bit of impromptu performance art! Did you ever think of the sidewalk as a stage? Perhaps you, too, have been an actor. Perhaps you have taken a page from the same playbook. [2008]

Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

Horsing around and providing a little bit of impromptu performance art! Did you ever think of the sidewalk as a stage? Perhaps you, too, have been an actor. Perhaps your actions, too, have been mis-characterized. [2017]

Samana, Dominican Republic

"Emancipate yourself from mental slavery. None but ourselves can free our minds." It's a quote from Marcus Garvey, but it was made famous by Bob Marley in his Redemption Song. Bob Marley died on this very day in 1981. [1992]

Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA

The blanket market. Bold geometric designs characterize the Navajo blankets for sale all over the American Southwest. Sometimes you wonder if any two are alike. Surely you can find one that fits your personal aesthetic! Or, maybe your personal aesthetic tends toward a baseball cap and Nike t. [2017]

Stratford, Virginia, USA

The wine market. Wine has become a favorite for festivals and street fairs. Here, on the shores on the Northern Neck, the Wine and Oyster Fest gives local residents and lots of visitors from DMV the chance to slurp and swill all day long. DMV? District-Maryland-Virginia. [2013]

Frogmore, South Carolina, USA

The vegetable market. Beans, squash, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, beets: Who could ask for anything more? Actually, we might ask for some corn and potatoes (and shrimp) so we could make Frogmore Stew, one of the Low Country's signature dishes. [2009]

Jerusalem, Israel

The juice market. Think that only citrus fruits can be hand-juiced? Think again. In fact, the best way to get your daily share of pomegranate is to drink it. That means you don't have to cope with all those seeds. Interested in the history of the pomegranate? Consult Deuteronomy 8:8. [2010]

Havana, Cuba

The vegetable market. When you are shopping for vegetables, choose color. In selecting by color, you're getting natural vitamins and antioxidants. Make sure, though, that your five servings a day cut across the rainbow of hues. [2017]

Delhi, India

The dried fruit and nut market. Fresh fruit perishes so quickly (and even more quickly in the world's warm climates). The solution is to dry your grapes, figs, apricots, and dates for later consumption. Supplement them with nuts (plus beans and a source of calories) and you've got a perfect diet. [2011]

Maastricht, Netherlands

The flower market. The Netherlands is famous for its flowers. In fact, it is the world's largest cut flower exporter. Don't assume, though, that these were grown in country. In fact, more and more sea containers arrive in Rotterdam (yes, by sea!) stuffed with flowers for the European market. These might have come from Colombia. [1994]

Glasgow, Scotland, UK

Headed to the Apple Store (see it?) on Buchanan Street to get your iPhone repaired? Wait! There may be a cheaper alternative: right down the street, opposite TOPSHOP. That's what competition is all about in the country that gave us Adam Smith and "the invisible hand." [2017]

Bloudane, Syria

High above the city of Damascus, in the folds of the Lebanese mountains, the Barada River begins. The water is so pure, no treatment is necessary. Just bend down, cup your hands, and imbibe. Eventually, these waters will collect at the base of the mountains and make Damascus one of the world's great oasis cities. [1993]

Hebron, Palestine

The tradition of eating camel meat is becoming increasingly rare in the Middle East. But, a few butchers make it their specialty. You can't order it in local restaurants, but you can buy a steak here and take it to a restaurant. They will cook it for you. [1998]