Hut in Niigata prefecture, Japan.
Ayutthaya, Thailand: A partially submerged Buddha overgrown by a Bodhi tree in the ruins of Wat Mahathat temple
![According to this geographically noteworthy Quora answer, the diving line between Northern California and Southern California has been declared. The line, it seems, goes right through San Luis Obispo. Lucas J Meeker, who created the dividing line, notes: “[T]here is an X factor here which is that the coast from Lompoc to Carmel is generally referred to as the Central Coast, and as a result could be considered somewhat of a floating barrier. You might see the occasional ‘bro’ in this region repping a ‘CenCal’ vinyl decal on his lifted truck. He is most likely from the Fresno area, if not from Paso Robles/San Luis Obispo.”
But who takes Fresno? Meeker goes on to point out, “Bakersfield is definitely SoCal and Modesto is definitely NorCal, and nobody wants to lay claim to Fresno, the apparent regional culture DMZ.” Which, sure. Many claim Fresno is a less than a wasteland. But we sort of like the place. Sort of like it. It’s got a heavy Armenian population, raisins grow there, and national treasure Audra McDonald hails from Fresno. So, why not, let’s say it’s part of NorCal. Sounds good.
Hey, at least it’s not Riverside.](http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lq7gdt66hZ1qb9y7so1_1280.jpg)
According to this geographically noteworthy Quora answer, the diving line between Northern California and Southern California has been declared. The line, it seems, goes right through San Luis Obispo. Lucas J Meeker, who created the dividing line, notes: “[T]here is an X factor here which is that the coast from Lompoc to Carmel is generally referred to as the Central Coast, and as a result could be considered somewhat of a floating barrier. You might see the occasional ‘bro’ in this region repping a ‘CenCal’ vinyl decal on his lifted truck. He is most likely from the Fresno area, if not from Paso Robles/San Luis Obispo.” But who takes Fresno? Meeker goes on to point out, “Bakersfield is definitely SoCal and Modesto is definitely NorCal, and nobody wants to lay claim to Fresno, the apparent regional culture DMZ.” Which, sure. Many claim Fresno is a less than a wasteland. But we sort of like the place. Sort of like it. It’s got a heavy Armenian population, raisins grow there, and national treasure Audra McDonald hails from Fresno. So, why not, let’s say it’s part of NorCal. Sounds good. Hey, at least it’s not Riverside.
A Bed and a Key at 81 Bowery, a photo essay by Annie Ling
The tenement at 81 Bowery is about the cheapest place to stay in Manhattan. For $100 to $200 a month, you get a bed and a key, but not much else. Some 35 Chinese immigrants live in a fourth-floor loft that has been divided into blocks of cubicles barely wider than a mattress. Here, Chu Ben Jin, who sleeps in cubicle number four, has been a tenant for more than 12 years.
Since most of the cubicles are without ceilings, there is very little privacy and the sound of televisions, chatter, coughing, snoring, and other noises can be heard regularly throughout the day and night. The tenants share a common bathroom and cook on hot plates in the hallways.
