March 13, 2026 - 2:00am - MYSTERY - Bangladesh

The mystery country is Bangladesh! It is located in the Northern Hemisphere and is 12 hours ahead of us. It has one of the most famous cities in the world, Dhaka. The country has a distinct dry season and a rainy season; the summer is very humid and "jungle-like," while the winter is very short, lasting only about three weeks to a month.

Getting around Bangladesh sounds like quite an adventure. There are trains and buses that are always packed—people even ride on top of them! There are a lot of accidents because there are so many people. Unlike here in Texas, people don’t have the "right of way." The roads are very loud with constant honking, and the traffic is so thick that an ambulance sometimes couldn't even reach you in time.

Bangladesh is a Muslim country, and Ramadan is the most popular holiday. It lasts for 30 days, usually through April, and schools get let out for three days of parades and celebrations. People also use henna on their arms and hands a lot. We learned that the traditional instrument there is called the Ektara. Because of their native language, Bengali, many people have a specific accent when speaking English.

The food sounds delicious but intense! People in Bangladesh love spicy food, and most dishes are served with rice. They have a special treat called Pitha (or "Pitca"), which is only available during the winter. If you like nature, there is a very, very long beach you can visit (Cox's Bazar), and there are beautiful rivers where you can stay overnight on a boat and even spot tigers!

On a more serious note, the average person struggles with poverty. It's important to realize that 3,000 Taka is actually a very small amount (around $25–$30 USD), which highlights how difficult things can be. Many kids don’t even pass the 2nd grade because they have to leave school to work. Also, there are many stray dogs and cats, but they are often considered "unclean," which we found very sad.

March 13, 2026 - 1:00am - O'ahu, Hawai'i, USA

We talked to Kim, who moved to Hawaii several years ago and still lives there with her family. While you live in Hawaii, literacy is heavily influenced by everyday life. Their traditional dance is called the Hula, where the women (and sometimes men) dance in a pa'u skirt. They are currently in very rainy and stormy weather, but it isn’t uncommon to see Hawaiians walk on the beach or surf as a hobby. Hawaii also has traditional chants where people go into a forest and chant Hawaiian words. Other islands are less populated, but the one Kim lives on has one of the highest populations, even though it is not the biggest island. All the islands are known for their own unique things such as scenery, economy, population, and tradition, and some have a little bit of everything.

A lot of people actually move to the mainland because it is somehow more affordable than Hawaii itself. A lot of local people depend on tourists for their incomes because of how many visitors come. Tattoos are wildly popular in Hawaii, especially using the traditional sticks like you see in popular Polynesian movies. Hawaii is very set on not following all of the United States' rules because they feel like they should have some form of their own independence. However, some Hawaiian foods are based on American food, such as a burger with a steak patty! Kids also enjoy holidays the same way we do today because, well, they still are part of the United States. Jokes and trends from the US are widely spread in Hawaii, so they really aren’t as foreign as others believe.

There is a lot of nature to see. You can go paddleboarding or on boat tours, and you can almost be in touch with whales, sea turtles, and fish. You can also see dolphins around, but never go too close and don’t scare or harm the sea animals. The most liked animal is the humpback whale because of its friendliness and huge size as a gentle giant. People fiercely protect Hawaii's greenery, beaches, and mountains; especially after the fires, they want to take extra precautions about their nature. For example, people think that throwing rocks is disrespectful. Think about it: it's like throwing your own grandma! People there remember their ancestors, and they feel bad if you're not connected to your own ancestral roots. There are also rock walls around fish ponds for restoration so they can add life back to them, and some have stayed there for over 800 years.

The first time Kim got there, she saw a volcano erupt and new landmasses forming. Kilauea is a volcano that's known for not exploding directly; instead, it erupts through cracks and tension, so the eruption lasts a lot longer. People even like to snowboard on the tallest mountain in Hawaii! Overall, it doesn’t get very hot there. The hottest is around 80 degrees and the coldest is around 50 degrees, so they have very nice weather. We have pollen over here, but they have another type of allergic plant.

They have some unique slang, too. “Da Kine” is a slang phrase people use when they can't remember the real word for something, like when you say “the thing.” If someone in Hawaii is talking about you, they might say “Mary” if you're a girl—not because your name is actually Mary, but just because it's a female name used in their language.

When going to a home in Hawaii, you have to be very mindful to take your shoes off when entering the house. Although they encourage tourists to visit Hawaii, it is highly recommended that you don’t move there permanently. Hawaii isn’t really kept up with just the natives; there are a lot of people who aren't from Hawaii that stay there. The ocean is very visible throughout the islands; everywhere you are, the ocean isn’t too far away. Honestly, you might as well not have left the States considering how similar it is to the rest of North America!

March 12, 2026 - 10:00pm - Peru

Right now, at 10 PM on March 12th, we are learning from Mr. Jeremy Daggett about Peru. He lives in Arequipa, Peru. We learned that there are more than 4,000 different types of potatoes there, and there is even a National Peru Potato industry! His favorite is the small red Indian potato. A classic breakfast at his home is sourdough bread with avocado on top, fresh mango juice on the side, and other foods like spinach and strawberries. We also learned that Chinese laborers brought over many Chinese roots and cultures to Peru, such as rice and other cultural things.

The origin story of the Inca people says that the Sun God and the God of the lake gave birth to the first humans. They gave them knowledge on how to irrigate and do many other things, passing it down to newer generations and forming the way they live. The Inca had a popular, big empire that lasted 100 years before the Spanish colonized it and the Incas died from diseases and wars. Today, one of their historic landmarks is Machu Picchu, an old set of ruins from the Inca Empire that became one of the 7 New Wonders of the World after being found 500 years later. Peru also has lots of cathedrals and places built with white volcanic stone, like the "Petra of Peru."

Llamas and alpacas have been here since the Incas. They are amazing climbers and can climb over hills and mountains. The difference between them is that if it's cute, it's an alpaca, and if they are taller and less cute, they’re a llama. Alpacas are cuter and fluffier than llamas! There are lots of other crazy animals, too. If you put your fingers in the water, you might find piranhas; you use steak or beef as bait to catch them. There are red howler monkeys (the male version has a crazy loud scream), squirrel monkeys, and giant hummingbirds that are 6 inches tall. There are also caimans, which are largeeee crocodiles that can be 15 feet long! Leafcutter ants are VERY SMALL, but they can carry leaves four times larger than themselves to make houses. When the leaves decompose, the ants use it as a food source. There are even bats that camouflage in the day to look like leaves swinging in the wind, and a prehistoric-looking fish called a paiche that is the size of a human child.

The largest and most important export from Peru is copper. It is really, really valuable. Different mines extract it from caves and export it to other countries as a major resource, making a strong economy for Peru. Lots of other things, such as avocados and rice, come from Peru to the US in the winter. For living situations, many houses are small and close together, not allowing people to have a front yard or backyard to themselves. There are also floating islands along the coast and in large lakes. They are made out of totora reeds, and many families and cultures live there.

The most popular sport to watch and play is soccer (fútbol). It's mostly men and boys that play. Women mainly play volleyball (ayyyy!). Gymnastics and other sports are played too, but volleyball and soccer are the main ones. For music, the trendiest songs are from artists from the US like Bad Bunny, but a young Peruvian rapper named Renata Flores is also very popular.

March 12, 2026 - 9:00pm - Meteorologist - Arkansas, USA

Skot is a meteorologist in Arkansas. The biggest tornado he's seen is an EF5, and he’s also driven into a hurricane! They get smaller impacts from hurricanes in Arkansas. As a kid, he was terrified of storms until he started learning more about them. He told us that bombings from World War II were based on the weather, and in Arkansas, the weather is so random you can't get bored because it’s something new every day. They call big storms at night "nocturnal storms."

The average day of work for a meteorologist is to wake up early, speak to people hours away, do TED Talks or shows, and do graphing and math. Temperatures, the atmosphere, and just the weather in general are all directly dependent on the usage of math. There are two systems to a meteorologist's work so that if the first system fails, the other one can be used as a backup.

He tries to stay calm during a big storm, but when he sees debris, he gets scared for the people in that area. Whenever he moves, it's easier to do his job because he doesn’t know the faces and identities of the people in the path. People often call meteorologists their "severe weather therapist," and Skot is called that because of his calming voice and steady mind. Whenever a meteorologist is scared, people get scared as well. The influence of meteorologists is crucial in the way people rely on their work. When a meteorologist gives out a warning about the weather (like natural disasters), seek shelter immediately and listen to him!

Meteorologists are often criticized for their work because forecasts can still be unpredictable, even with expertise in the field of weather. Someone is always going to find something to complain about (it’s inevitable). Also, he has to look very closely at photos that people submit to them because not all of them are real. His favorite spot is anywhere near the equator because hurricanes cannot form, it's somewhat clear, and it makes his job easy. Additionally, Skot says he hates snow. (What the actual poop!)

Every year the temperature has risen and gotten hotter. Climate change is really controversial because people think "the world is gonna end," but there are also some beneficial parts of climate change. In weather, there is so much to learn and know, and they're just scratching the surface. Skot also gave us a tour of the studio. In the studio, the main anchor desk is for the people who read the script and talk. The black screen is the thing they read off of because words pop up. They also see a bunch of monitors that are like radars. He is usually stationed at the weather monitors and stands in front of a green screen to give the weather forecast. He also brings one of his dogs to work!

March 12, 2026 - 8:00pm - Greece

Clay lived in Greece for four years with his wife and daughter. He told us about a place called Monemvasia, which is right next to a body of water and has a big cliff. There are many fortresses there. One is a fortress that is 400 to 500 years old where people would hide when they were getting attacked; it was high up, so they were protected. There is another place called Meteora, which has high, tall cliffs with house-like buildings on top of them. He also told us about the Acropolis of Athens, which is a building built in the 5th century BC.

His favorite part of Greece is the food there. The seafood is great, and the sunrises and sunsets are very pretty to watch. They even put French fries in their burritos, which are called Greek gyros! He keeps talking about food—he really likes food. He also mentioned that people go to the store every day or every other day for fresh ingredients.

We also learned about their culture. They do teach Greek mythology in school, but you don’t have to believe it. They have many houses with whitewashed walls. The "evil eye" is a big thing there; it’s a symbol supposed to protect you from the bad and evil. Finally, most Greeks don’t understand English, so if you go there, don’t expect everyone to talk in English.

March 12, 2026 - 7:00pm - Ukraine

Ukraine has a very interesting history. Tribes used to try to take their land because of the very nice greenery, great scenery, hills, and mountains. They would even send groups to explore places they didn't know much about. There is a famous river called the Dnieper River which they traveled down and explored.

When asked "how are you," Ukrainians tend to go on and on about their day and life because they enjoy sharing stories and sharing their lives with each other. Their government is almost the same as the U.S.; they have an office and a house used for the government and president. Interestingly, they often prefer to communicate face-to-face with other countries instead of just doing everything online.

Sadly, many animals have been harmed by the war, and one of their biggest bodies of water was destroyed, making water scarce. Seeing missiles and drones every day has become a normal thing for people there. Despair and heartache fill the country. Natalia’s family still lives in Ukraine, so she visits every summer, but it has become more difficult to get close to the border. Planes don’t fly directly into the country anymore, so traveling around is a big change.

Even with the war, the weather and nature are amazing. The flowers and greenery are beautiful, and the spring is sunny and rainy. Natalia was born in the northern part of Ukraine, and she is looking forward to going back when the war is over. Oil is very important to Ukraine—it's basically "liquid money"—so seeing it flowing down the streets and covering the greenery is very sad. If you go to her house, Natalia will serve you borscht, which is a very healthy vegetable soup full of nutrients. Dumplings with various fillings are also a popular dish.

Ukraine has many beautiful traditions. While visiting, you can find embroidery and handmade items sold as souvenirs. People often wear crowns or bands made of poppy flowers and wheat. Wheat is a very popular plant, and many people create necklaces or keychains in the colors of the flag. There is even a church tradition in August where you make a bouquet of spicy herbs and poppies to bring to the church. I’m starting to learn that Ukraine and the U.S. actually have a lot in common!

March 12, 2026 - 5:00pm - Scotland

Scotland is very different from the United States. For instance, in Scottish schools, the students have to wear uniforms. Did you know that Scotland is one of only 15 countries to have a mythical animal as their national animal? Theirs is a unicorn! Speaking of mythical animals, did you know that the Loch Ness Monster (formally known as Nessie) originated in Scotland? The national flower is the thistle, which I think is the prettiest fact about Scotland.

Another thing Scotland is very famous for is its landscapes—think green grass, hills, and beautiful castles. The weather around Scotland is often very cold and rainy. For travel, most people actually take trains to work! If you are driving, they drive on the opposite side of the road, and even though Scotland is its own country, they still use British currency.

Food is very different in Scotland, too. They have a famous Scottish dish called haggis! They also have different sports; they don’t have American football, but they do have rugby. Hiking is very common, and their most popular sport is golf. Did you know that the national instrument in Scotland is the bagpipes? Aye, it is! "Aye" is what Scottish people say instead of "yes."

Finally, a big holiday there is New Year’s Eve. You can also see a massive population of Highland cows, and their horns are super long!

March 12, 2026 - 4:00pm - Sydney Zoo - Australia

It is Friday morning at 8:00 on Friday the 13th in Australia. They are 16 hours ahead of us in the U.S. The zookeeper is showing us around the zoo and describing the animals currently living there. One thing we learned is that the mountains there are not as high as in the U.S.; they are more like tiny little hills.

They showed us pictures and live footage of the habitats for sugar gliders and kangaroos. Wallabies are smaller animals and have thin ears. They also have woodbirds, red pandas, and stickbugs. We saw examples of a stickbug and learned that their first form of defense is camouflage. Also, stickbugs don't need a male to reproduce!

There are lots of different frogs in Australia. They have different designs and only reproduce during the wet season. We also saw snakes; the scales of the rough-scaled snake are actually rough. They can eat things four times the size of their head, and they’re not venomous. A snake's tongue is used like human ears because of their sensing pits. The one we saw was 1.5 meters long with a forked tongue.

We also learned about lizards. Lizards are happy if they have food and shelter. The habitat for the lizard has a heated lamp, rocks, and a serious amount of plants for the lizard's health. We saw a bearded dragon, which has a tongue, making sudden movements.

Because Australia is on the other side of the world, their seasons are different from ours. We saw red kangaroos and emus, which like eating. The zookeeper described what an emu looks like and, in my observations, it looks about three feet tall. We also learned that emu eggs are green! Even though they look similar, ostriches and emus are different, but cassowaries and emus are related. Finally, we learned that Vegemite is salty.

 

March 12, 2026 - 2:00pm - El Salvador

Today we learned about what it is like in El Salvador. There are many stray dogs there, and they also shoot fireworks all the time, not just on holidays. We even saw that there are volcanoes! There are a lot of differences between our country and El Salvador. For example, Spanish is the main language they speak. The traffic is also very different; it could take way longer to get to a store compared to getting back home!

We also learned that the school years work differently. They start in January and end in November. Sadly, they also have to go to school on Saturdays, which is very sad. It also rains a lot, mostly on Sundays. Most people live in houses, but it depends on what city you’re in.

The primary currency is the US dollar. It is very hot there, and in the normal winter time, it doesn’t get very cold. There are also coconuts everywhere, which I find very cool. Finally, fútbol (soccer) is the main sport there.

March 12, 2026 - 12:00pm - Archaeologist - Cyprus

We spoke to Scott, who talked about archaeology in Cyprus. Archaeology is the study of the past. Scott showed us a map of how he measures and draws old rocks to figure out where they belong, and he talked about the different artifacts they found.

He told us about how people in that time had statues of Apollo in their homes. He also talked about the structures of the houses from that period; they had different paintings in them, and for the first time in two thousand years, people were finally able to walk through the house again. They found bowls and statue ornaments that are now in the Museum of Cyprus.

Scott explained how they were able to dig up all the things they found. He also talked about the city of Jericho from about ten thousand years ago, what it is like in Cyprus today, and why there are so many archaeological sites there. He went on to talk about how Cyprus was needed in the European Union for their materials, and he even mentioned Alexander the Great. Finally, he told us the story of how he became an archaeologist.

THE END.