🦞 A $45,000 crustacean | Bulletin #132

This week: a whale saves the day 🐋 and the Conch Republic 🐚

July 16, 2025

Ford’s Lobster Shack 📍 Mystic, Connecticut, USA 📸 Marjorie Becker

Lobster may have pulled off the greatest glow-up in history. From one of the most undesirable prison meals, and fishermen tossing them into the literal trash to the most expensive item on the menu, these former "cockroaches of the sea" have the American railroad boom to thank for their rebrand. Savvy marketers shipped these bottom-feeders to landlocked rubes who'd never seen one, spinning tales of "exotic coastal delicacies," and just like that yesterday's prisoner punishment is today's anniversary dinner. From fertilizer to "market price" -- just add butter, subtract context, et voilà!

THIS WEEK IN AWA AWESOMENESS

🚂 Choo choo
🏝️ The southernmost point in the US
🧵 Sewing heritage
🏆 Win a Wes signed poster… again!

BOSTON, HERE WE COME!

Speaking of "lobstah," we're off to Boston next month to explore the historic city with our architecturally awesome friends at Shepley Bulfinch. We’ll be taking in the culture, distinct design and fork fighting over lobster tail (the pastry and the real deal) — all in all, we’re excited to dig in. Any must-see spots or hidden gems we shouldn't miss? Give us a holler!

HELLO HONG KONG

Our latest Exhibition has opened in Hong Kong! Located at The Mills, a historic landmark, you can explore new locations alongside AWA classics and a room dedicated to the City of Skyscrapers. All the deets here!

In Case You Missed It

While hopping behind the wheel or cruising through the skies may tickle folks’ fancies, riding the rails continues to be our favorite mode of transportation. Check out these choo-choos that continue to captivate us — and carry us to new destinations.

🐋 Whale statue saves the day
➡️ The Slovak arrow
⛏️ On a train to good fortune
🚉 The most iconic train station in the world

Flagler Station📍 Key West, Florida, USA 📸 Accidentally Wes Anderson

KEY TO THE CITY

Welcome to the only place in America where locals have their own passports, their own national anthem, and their own very good reasons for seceding. When the U.S. government set up a roadblock in 1982, this tiny island 90 miles from Cuba did what any self-respecting republic would do: declared independence and never looked back…

Burel Factory📍 Serra da Estrela, Portugal 📸 Samantha O’Brochta

SHEAR AMBITION

A 1000-year-old wool tradition was about to vanish until Isabel Costa touched down in the Portugal mountains and did what any reasonable person would do: bought the factory and refused to let history unravel, turning a dying Portuguese village into a thriving cultural destination...

$45,838.33

That’s how much a Japanese snow crab was sold for at auction in 2019- achieving the Guiness World record. The itsukiboshi crab (meaning 5 shining stars) was just under three pounds when it was auctioned off. “I think it’s a good crab filled with meat,” said Tetsuji Hamashita, the crab’s buyer and owner of a fishery wholesaler. A seasonal delicacy, the snow crab’s season only runs from November to March, making it even more of a rarity. We’ll be shellfish and say that’s a crab we would like to try!

MELBOURNE’S MAILBOX MAKEOVER

Meet Mick Slocum, former musician turned post box restoration extraordinaire. When he stumbled upon his local pillar covered in graffiti, he felt compelled to bring it back to life. Little did he know this would spark a lightbulb moment: why not restore all of Melbourne's historic postal pillars to their former glory?

This brought a smile to our faces, and we hope it brings you some joy today as well!

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A poster so nice we’re giving it away twice! Find the secret link today and you’ll be in the running to win a Wes & cast signed Phoenician Scheme poster. Plus some AWA stickers for the runner ups… 💌 Happy hunting!