Happy Fourth of July

World Hum’s Most Read: June 28-July 3

What We Loved This Week: Def Leppard in Greece, Austrian Competence and Freedom in Colombia

The LAX Theme Building, Then and Now

As a Woman, Can I Really Travel Without Much Fear for my Safety?

Vagabonding traveler Rolf Potts answers your questions about travel

Inside Slum Tourism

With mixed feelings, Rob Verger recently signed on for a tour of Rio de Janeiro’s favelas. He looks back on the experience—and the photos he was allowed to take.

Break Bread and Brie in France

Great cheese abounds in the land of Gaul, but dig in and you risk committing any number of faux pas. Terry Ward explains how to partake of the nation’s famed fromage with savoir faire.

10 Wanderlust-Inducing Summer Concerts

Call it world music or global pop or the sound of the world hum. Ben Keene reveals 10 acts on tour that are sure to transport you. Plus videos.

Bryan Mealer: ‘War and Deliverance in Congo’

The former AP correspondent traveled up the Congo River. Frank Bures asks the author of “All Things Must Fight to Live” about following in the wake of Joseph Conrad. 

A Journey Into ‘The Second World’

Some bureaucrats joke that they would never claim expertise about countries they had not at least flown over. In an excerpt from his new book, Parag Khanna argues that real global understanding can only come from serious travel.

‘The Worst Guidebook Writer Ever’?

Lonely Planet author Robert Reid reviews Thomas Kohnstamm’s “Do Travel Writers Go to Hell?” and weighs in on the controversy surrounding it

JetBlue to Launch LAX-JFK Service

Hi Jim:

JetBlue is stealing our thunder. I’m sure they are the People’s Express of the down-at-heels shabby genteel jetset.

But if you really want cheap, say hello to the bucket shops, and their almost criminally negligent “operators.” Most of us don’t really care whom we fly with, unless we get there.

I have to admit, though, I was a little taken aback when I wanted to fly to Amsterdam--and ended up on a flight with El Al. I’d say their security is a little too strict for the average backpacker. Even though they didn’t hassle me, since I managed on the spot to come up with the name of an Israeli friend from college, some poor lout, with dusky skin, a locked briefcase, and an ill-fitting imitation Oxford shirt, was indeed asked to accompany someone into a backroom. I dunno, maybe the poor guy was suffering from nicotine withdrawals or something.

I think I’ll fly with JetBlue next time.

Just remember you get what you pay for in safety as well as transportation.  I avoid medical services from cheap doctors and flights on cut rate carriers due to safety concerns.  I rent full size cars for safety reasons also.  If you die on a low cost carrier just make sure your family does not sue because of your stupidity.

My company is using JetBlue so this is good news indeed.