The Linkery: ‘The Nation’s Only Anti-Tipping Laboratory’

New Addition to the Travel Lexicon: ‘Vagabond Neurosis’

World Hum’s Most Read: Oct. 4-10

What We Loved This Week: Bajofondo, Rattlesnake Cake and Leaf Peeping

Love Herring in Sweden

From artery-clogging casseroles to a fermented concoction that smells alarmingly like vinegary flatulence, Lola Akinmade digs in to a smörgåsbord of herring and explains how to best appreciate Scandinavia’s favorite fish. 

The Water Is Wide

Bronwen Dickey considers Tim Butcher’s “Blood River: A Journey to Africa’s Broken Heart,” which takes readers deep into the Congo

Vagrant Ruminations of a Compulsive Traveler

Where does the urge to hunt for that “fleeting fix of elsewhere” come from? Peter Wortsman recalls a life of travel inspiration. 

Rolf Potts: Revelations from a Postmodern Travel Writer

His new book “Marco Polo Didn’t Go There” includes his best stories from the past 10 years. Michael Yessis asks him how travel writing has changed in the last decade—and what he sees for the future.

Notes From an Unofficial Tourist Greeter

Summer is over, and so is Julia Ross‘ season as an ambassador to travelers in Washington, D.C.’s Woodley Park neighborhood. She’s happy to be off duty.

10 Great Travel Race Movies

Slow travel is well and good. But there’s something irresistible about a great travel race movie. World Hum Travel Movie Clubbers Eva Holland and Eli Ellison share their favorite vicarious thrill rides.

How Should I Spend My Time in Spain?

Vagabonding traveler Rolf Potts answers your questions about travel

Cameron Diaz to Peru: Lo Siento Mucho

I read this story in a few places, but it never actually told me who was offended by the bag. Did locals complain to her? Or was it just the case that someone in the western media spotted her bag and thought it would make a good story?

Not that I’m defending cultural insensitivity, or saying that the bag is not potentially offensive, but I am always a bit sceptical of stories saying things like ‘it evokes memories of...’ without a direct quote from one of the offended people.

I am peruvian, and we were all very excited about Ms. Diaz visiting our country. I havent heard of a SINGLE peruvian complain about the handbag. It seems some Human Rights NGO complained to AP about it, and thats how it started. As far as I know, the Mayor of Cusco wanted to even give an Honorable Visitor Condecoration on Ms. Diaz, which she refused, and flew in probable but uncalled for fear. Plus, peruvians DONT read chinese, and the red star was NOT Sendero Luminoso, it was the red hammer as far as I can remember. Though they are a horrid Maoist group, no one thought she did it on purpose, and no one in their right mind was offended, we just hoped she helped promote tourism and help hard working indians in cuzco fight poverty.

I am peruavian as well and as far i know noone got offended with that bag..this is ridiculous!! we don read chinese how we can get offended for something that we dont know what its means...God Sake...!!!