Where in the World is Mendes Cohen?

Where in the World is Mendes Cohen?

Mendes Cohen spent three years traveling throughout Europe and the Middle East where he met with dignitaries, overcame traveling hazards such as shipwrecks, amassed an impressive collection of Egyptian antiquities, and espoused democratic principles.
We've explored Mendes' journeys (at theamazingmendes.com) and now it's time to go on our own adventure. Let's travel together (and test our geography) to see where Mendes might pop up across the globe.

Mendes Cohen was born in Richmond in 1796 and moved to Baltimore with his family when he was 12 years old. Here we have spotted Mendes in the biggest city in the United States, also located on the East Coast. Mendes is enjoying a stroll at this famous boardwalk. Where in the world is Mendes?

Myrtle Beach, South CarolinaConey Island, New YorkOcean City, MarylandAtlantic City, New Jersey
While this location also has great rides, food, and views of the ocean, it's not where we've spotted Mendes. Let's take another look.
You're right! Mendes stopped in at Coney Island, New York for a quick ride on the Wonder Wheel. But before we could catch up with him, he dashed off somewhere south of the border. Let's see if we can find him...
Mendes often chose to travel by ship. He was even in two shipwrecks! Mendes appears to have washed ashore on these islands located on the Equator. Home to giant tortoises, iguanas, and birds with blue feet, these islands have attracted explorers from all over the world. Where in the world is Mendes?

Galapagos IslandsHawaiian IslandsCanary Islands
While these islands are tropical and diverse, they are not where Mendes is hiding. Mendes isn't the first adventurer to traverse these islands, Charles Darwin also stopped here to take a look around.
Great job! I wonder what Mendes would write about the Galapagos Islands in his letters home.

But wait, before we could ask him Mendes has slipped away again.
Mendes, watch out! Those elephants are a lot bigger than the iguana we spotted you with last. However, their size is nothing compared to the giant dormant volcano in the background. Located in Tanzania, this is the highest mountain in Africa. Where in the world is Mendes?

Mount EverestMount KilimanjaroMont BlancAconcogua
That is also a monumental mountain, but it's not located in Africa. This mountain is in a National Park named after it. Take another guess.
You got it! The hike to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro is 16,100 ft above its base.

Where did Mendes go? He must have started climbing! Let's see if we can meet up with him at his next destination...
From over a mountain to across a river bend, where has Mendes popped up this time? Flowing through Turkey, Syria, and Iraq this river is the longest in Western Asia. Where in the world is Mendes?

Nile RiverMississippi RiverAmazon RiverEuphrates River
While that river is also impressive, it's not where Mendes is floating. Take another look.
Well done! Mendes is visiting the Euphrates River. This reminds me of another river Mendes once visited - the Nile in Egypt.

Even when traveling abroad, Mendes thought it was important to show his American identity. In Egypt he constructed a U.S. flag, said to be the first to be flown on the Nile. He writes,

“Purchased red, white and blue cotton to make a flag – returned on board and cut it out, my servant making it” … “Having … completed the flag and hoisted it under a salute, each of the sailors… on the elevation of the flag agree to defend it if necessary.” - Manfalut, Egypt - May 3, 1832

But wait, with all our reminiscing Mendes has dashed off again. Let's see where he is splashing off to.
We've caught up to Mendes again. But, where is he? It looks like we have followed him to another river. Found entirely in China, this river is the longest in Asia and is the third longest in the world. Where in the world is Mendes?

Euphrates RiverAmazon RiverYangtze River
Not quite. Try again.
The Yangtze River! That's correct! Mendes is standing in front of the Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge. It is a beam bridge that was built in 1968. This bridge has two decks - one for vehicles and the other for trains. Over 80,000 vehicles and 190 trains cross this bridge per day!

I imagine Mendes enjoyed watching the trains cross this bridge. After he returned to Baltimore in 1835, Mendes became a trustee of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (in addition to other public service activities). Between 1850 and 1860, 22,500 miles of railroad line were built increasing the total mileage from 7,500 in 1850 to 30,000 in 1860. Mendes served during an exciting period of growth for the industry.

Just like trains, Mendes has departed again. Let's see where he takes us next.
Can you see the mountain through all the mist? We have found Mendes on a mountain that was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983. Located in Peru, this popular hiking destination is situated above a bow of the Urubamba River (resulting in being fogged by morning mist rising from the river). Where in the world is Mendes?

Machu PicchuGrand CanyonAlhambraYellowstone National Park
This site is a UNESCO World Heritage site, but it is not located in Peru. Try again.
Well Done! Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage site located in the Andes Mountains of Peru.
For a change of scenery, we've caught up with Mendes in the capital of Hungary. Located on the Danube River, this city is located 697 miles north of Athens. Where in the world is Mendes?

BudapestLondonRomeAthens
This is also a major European capital city, but not the capital of Hungary. Let's try again.
Nicknamed the Heart of Europe, Queen of the Danube, and the Capital of Festivals - we've caught up with Mendes in Budapest!

Before there is time to join in the festivities, Mendes has headed back to North America again...
We've caught up with Mendes at the most prominent mountain in North America's Rocky Mountain range. This mountain is also the highest point in the Canadian Rockies. Taking a peek at the Mountain from Berg Lake, where in the world is Mendes?

Mount RobsonMount EverestMont BlancMount Kilimanjaro
Good guess, but that's not the mountain he is visiting this time. Let's take another guess.
You found him! Mendes is at Mount Robson in British Columbia, Canada. This mountain is part of the impressive mountain range, called the Rockies.

But wait... off he goes again! Looks like he is heading from the West Coast back to the East Coast.
Mendes is back in Baltimore! Upon return from his travels, Mendes was an active leader in the Jewish community in Baltimore. What historic building is Mendes standing in front of?

Phoenix Shot TowerLloyd Street SynagogueWashington Monument
While this is a historic building in Baltimore, it is not the one Mendes is in front of. The building you see Mendes at is one of two historic synagogues that flank the Jewish Museum of Maryland in Baltimore.
Built in 1845 by the Baltimore Hebrew Congregation, the Lloyd Street Synagogue was the first synagogue to be built in Maryland. Baltimore architect Robert Cary Long, Jr. designed the Lloyd Street Synagogue in Greek Revival style. The Lloyd Street Synagogue was home to three congregations (Baltimore Hebrew Congregation, St. John the Bapitist Lithuanian Catholic CHurch, and Shomrei Mishmeres Ha-Kodesh) before being bought by the Jewish Historical Society of Maryland - now the Jewish Museum of Maryland.

We hope that you have enjoyed some adventures with Mendes. To learn about his historic travels and read entries from his letters, check out The Amazing Mendes Exhibit.
Credits:

Coney Island - “attribute this author” By David Shankbone - Own work, CC BY 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1740433
Galapagos
Mt. Kilimanjaro - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=20761843
Euphrates River
Yangtze - By Glabb - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=21025000
Machu Picchu - By Christophe Meneboeuf - XtoF - Personal work.More photos related to Peru & Bolivia on my website: https://www.xtof.photo, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4367068
Danube in Budapest - By Ivanhoe - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10133013
Mt Robson (with Berg Lake) – By Zeljko Kozomara - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=60010738
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