laurakiniry's User Profile - Atlas Obscura
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earthquakes

The Earthshaking History of San Francisco's Quake Shacks

You can still spot these tiny reminders of the 1906 earthquake in the city today.
February 23, 2023
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stairs

The Twisty History of Montreal's Outdoor Staircases

Immigrants, artisans, economics, and the Catholic Church all played a role.
December 7, 2022
Gastro Obscura
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eat like a...

Eating Like an Explorer Once Called for Plenty of ‘Portable Soup’

Sailors relied on the ration for centuries.
August 10, 2022
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extreme sports

Meet the Man Who Wants to Make Sitting an Extreme Sport

A day at your desk will not prepare you for this grueling competition.
April 12, 2022
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jazz

How Louis Armstrong Shaped the Sound of Ghana

You can still hear echoes of the trumpeter's 1956 visit in Accra's clubs today.
December 7, 2021
Gastro Obscura
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immigration

With Venezuela in Crisis, This Restaurant Offers Its Chefs a Landing Pad

By taking on the U.S. visa process.
September 8, 2021
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traffic lights

In Germany, Karl Marx and Elvis Direct Traffic

East Berlin's famed Ampelmännchen has inspired a new generation of pedestrian signals that will make you stop in your tracks.
August 24, 2021
Gastro Obscura
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farms

Why a Vancouver Cemetery Is Planting Squash, Kale, and Corn

The leafy greens are very much alive.
April 19, 2021
Gastro Obscura
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refugees

How Boise, Idaho, Became a Sanctuary for Refugees and Their Cuisine

Becoming a "Welcoming City" has been a boon to the region's restaurants.
March 12, 2021
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teens

When the Jersey Shore Was the Epicenter for Haunted Attractions

In the 70s and 80s, beachgoers delighted in low-budget frights.
March 5, 2021
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trails

The Deadly Temptation of the Oregon Trail Shortcut

Dying of dysentery was just the beginning.
December 2, 2020
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bigfoot

There's Something About Mount Shasta

The California peak’s striking presence and geological complexity have inspired many believers. 
September 4, 2020
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elvis

The Mississippi Town Where Elvis Tribute Artists Are Made

Tupelo, birthplace of The King, is the global hub for aspiring Jailhouse Rockers.
July 3, 2020
Gastro Obscura
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coronavirus

These 7 Local Food Boxes Offer a Taste of Travel

Get New Orleans pralines, Jersey Shore sea salt, and other iconic treats delivered to your door.
June 11, 2020
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women

Mexico's All-Female Mariachi Bands Are Shaking Up Tradition

The genre is moving beyond its machismo-fueled roots.
March 6, 2020
Gastro Obscura
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nostalgia

In San Francisco, an East German Restaurant Is a Portal to the Past

Familiar foods such as "cold dog" offer former Eastern Bloc residents a taste of their youth.
September 17, 2019
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cars

30 Years On, the 'Worst Car Ever Built' Has a Fervent Fan Club

Made in the former East Germany, Trabants have inspired many a mean joke—and a devoted community.
August 5, 2019
Gastro Obscura
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food festivals

After Decades of Being Ignored, a Nut From 20-Pound Pine Cones Is Back on Australian Menus

Aboriginal groups once traveled long distances to celebrate its harvest.
May 24, 2019
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canals

How to Get a Boat Through a Tiny Tunnel, 19th-Century Style

This will be difficult and you might die.
April 30, 2019
Gastro Obscura
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knives

The Regional Chinese Cuisine Linked to an Ancient Assassin

A king died after being served up a murderous fish in present-day Suzhou.
September 21, 2018
Gastro Obscura
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buns

Once a Year, This Island Goes Completely Vegetarian

The Cheung Chau Bun Festival commemorates a Taoist ritual.
March 8, 2018