World Hum’s Most Read: May 10-16

What We Loved This Week: ‘The Zen of Bobby V,’ ‘When the Levees Broke’ and Arriving With Our Baggage

How Bad is the Violence in Mexico?

Tony Horwitz Blogs From the Road

Tony Horwitz: Rediscovering the New World

Ben Keene talks to the author of the new book “A Voyage Long and Strange” about travel, American myths and the importance of visiting places where “history happened”

In Patagonia, In Patagonia

Tim Patterson packs his fleece and long underwear, and enters the Twilight Zone where corporate branding meets the multilayered reality of place. 

Should I Quit Law School so I can Travel the World?

Vagabonding traveler Rolf Potts answers your questions about 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

Have a Hockey Night in Canada

From Montreal to Sault Ste. Marie, the sport is the country’s greatest passion. Eva Holland explains where to go to indulge—and who you need to know.

Promised Land Closed

And other odd and unlikely signs from around the world. Aficionado Doug Lansky, editor of the book “Signspotting,” recounts his 10 favorites.

10 Sizzling Hot Travel Tips From Sir Francis Bacon

Rolf Potts repackages the 17th century philosopher’s ‘Of Travel’ essay in the manner of a 21st century magazine feature

‘Lesbian’ Fight Heats up on Lesbos

I’ve heard Lesvos also called “Mytilini”. In fact, most people I know call it that. Does it have anything to do with the word?  I’m guessing, yah, but I haven’t investigated. By the way, from the photographs I’ve seen, Mytilini/Lesvos is a beautiful island.

One should ask if it is appropriate to strip any group of an identity label that carries positive meaning.

I was going to comment on this post about calling Sappho a goddess, but obviously someone already noticed that and changed it! I can see where the poeple of Lesbos are coming from, but it would take a stupendous act to get people around the world to change their language… and even then it probably wouldn’t work.

I believe Mytilini was originally a city on the island itself; I studied it a bit in my Greek history class.  It’s frustrating for me to have people giggle whenever I try to have an intelligent conversation with them about the island… I can’t imagine how the residents feel.

Nevertheless, I am a gay activist in the states.  If you will check world news you will discover that a member of the GLBT community in Palm Beach was murdered yesterday.  This a local as well as a world issue.