Sweden-based travel photographer Lola Akinmade Åkerström reflects on the invisible barriers that stand between her (and every traveler’s) camera and the strangers that become the subjects of many of her most powerful photos.

At Two By Tour, Yvette Benhamou and J. Endress explore the sites and streets of Cuenca, Ecuador. In their latest adventure, they wander the El Museo de Cultura Prohibido, a museum of sacrilege with dubious “artifacts,” see graffiti and street art, and explore a Belgian brewery in the Andes Mountains.

Shannon O’Donnell at A Little Adrift explores what “sustainably produced” really means: “I will spend more to ensure that the root communities behind our goods are treated with respect. Stemming from my physical journey to understand coffee came a new journey to match my actions to my belief in our shared humanity and the common good.”

“Books and articles have been written about reverse culture shock. The identity crisis. . . . I find this state of consciousness intriguing rather than distressing. The thrill of disorientation and shattered perceptions. Besides, I never fit in to begin with.” J.D. Riso returns home after 19 years of a nomadic life.

At Travel with Nano B., Nano shares a photographic tour of well-known places and her own favorite spots in and around Tokyo to see cherry blossoms and enjoy the hanami season.

“Five months after the hurricane and my island, my people, my family still carry open wounds from that horrendous day.” Street and dance photographer Omar Z Robles visits his home, Puerto Rico, on an emotional and difficult trip. In this photo essay, he captures beautiful portraits of dancers.

Ever wanted to travel North America? The blogger behind Streaming thru America just completed one year on the road, adventuring in an Airstream trailer, “blogging my way across America, searching for enriching and meaningful experiences with people and places, and anything that would make a good story.”