William Barnes, Dorset's own beloved poet and scholar, was curate of this beautiful church at Whitcombe, just outside Dorchester, England. The church is no longer used but remains consecrated. The site of Whitcombe church has been in use since the...
Moments ago a newsletter landed in my inbox from Le Mois de la Photo à Montréal, announcing its 14th edition of the Biannale of Contemporary Photography, curated by Catalan artist/curator, Joan Fontcuberta, to be held in...
In answer to DrFumblefinger's musing response to my last such post, essentially what, pray tell, is the criteria for various "best" travel lists, a perfectly sensible question, I offer another, more intriguing, compilation of places. This...
While some of the destinations they include will be no surprise to the well-traveled group here on Travel Gumbo, I was interested in some of the places mentioned. Samoa, for instance, I wouldn't have expected, or South Africa. And I'd...
Besides my review of Frommer's "France Color Complete Guide." permit me to share my own opinionated view of how monumental it is for the Frommers to get these guidebooks out. After looking over the new France and Spain books, I had some...
August 8, 2014 The title is not my own. I swiped it off the poster you see here and I'm borrowing it as a ruse to get you to read something you may not have otherwise. Reading through my emails this morning, there was...
Who among us has not longed to travel back in time to the world we see in old travel posters, when seeing the world was a pastime reserved for the few and, in our imaginations, we are among them. International Poster Gallery in...
July 25, 2014: Until recently I lived in a small Arizona mountain town, rescued by artists when the copper mine shut down. There were a surprising number of world-class photographers and from time to time I'd organize a show and an...
This is, in a way, an essay on memory. Ever since ancient history, the winning side of history has erected monuments to itself, hoping to inspire greater love, respect or at least obedience. And, over time, newer rulers often change the script. ...
I was born at the very end of World War II and it was a palpable presence in my California home as I grew up. That may be why I generally avoid anything to do with it while still being deeply moved by references to the war. This morning I...
June 1, 2014 After a conversation this morning with my overnight guests over coffee and toast, in which we talked...
Gumbo's Picture of the Day for April 13th, above, is an image I made nearly 55 years ago, on my first trip to Paris: a man sleeping on the ground at a side entrance to the National Assembly building. I like the picture; I’m pleased with its...
April 8, 2014 In the shower today, my best thinking place, I thought about the first moment I can recall when the idea occurred to me that I could travel to faraway places, if I chose to. My family lived near the top of the hill in...
April 1, 2014 I watch a lot of movies and, while I pay some attention to ratings and reviews, I can like them for any number of reasons, not necessarily related to the usual criteria. There are actors who I’ll happily...
March 31, 2014 Charles Marville: Photographer of Paris Edgy may not be the first word that comes to mind describing photographs taken a century and a half ago. But time travel is certainly an edgy prospect and...