In the tradition of Hank Williams (or the Allman Brothers, depending on who you ask), Locke McKenzie, an expatriate working as a freelance English teacher in Germany, introduces his new column, The Rambling American.

Jeff Merrion braves a desolate Wyoming landscape to reach the fabled California coast by car.

Alexa Fritzsche ventures to Portal, Arizona to study lizards, but also discovers the wild diversity of Southwestern folk, whose habitat is the middle of nowhere.

The final piece for Submissions Week comes from Lucinda Stroud, who studied in Delhi, India last spring. During a visit to Kolkata, she comes to understand the finer details of the country’s complex cultural legacy and the fleeting charms of strangers.

Wrapping up his stay in Amsterdam, Nick Martens presents a photo story recapping his favorite spots in the city. Categories include Best Place for Nerds to Get Stoned, Least Surprisingly Empty Women’s Clothing Store, and various awards for typographic signage.

Nick Martens explores Lambiek, one of the world’s oldest comic book shops and the starting place of acclaimed writer/artist Chris Ware.

Nick Martens arrives in the Swiss municipality of Interlaken, known for its scenic glimpse of the Alps, outdoor recreation, and Hooters restaurant.

Nick Martens finds the only thing compelling enough to leave lovely Amsterdam: the Star Wars exhibit in Brussels.

Nick Martens reports from Amsterdam with an exclusive exposé on the dark secrets of the city’s chocolate cookie industry.

Nick Martens contrasts a typical scene in Amsterdam’s Dam Square with a picture of the plaza during a protest.