Czestochowa Poland's Black Madonna

In the 15-century, two thieves arrived at the foothills of Czestochowa, Poland. Creeping up the back of the Jasna Gora (Bright Mountain), they arrived at Klasztor Paulinow, a 100-year-old Catholic monastery housing their target: the Black Madonna, an icon said to have been painted by St. Luke himself.

The thieves snatched the painting and attempted to carry it away, only to find it strangely heavy.

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Japanese for Smiling Sushi Shop Man

After just a few weeks in Japan, I had a routine. Before my early afternoon start at my English conversation school job, I'd visit the sushi shop next door and pick out a foam tray of my favorite maki-zushi.

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Report from the February Travelers Happy Hour

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Check out all of the photos we chose for inclusion in the "Faces of the World," the staff picks, and our profile of the grand prize winner.