In September, we drove up to Southern Oregon to visit some dear friends who live in Central Point – a little town just north of Medford. We spent a few days up there, and visited their town, a little bit of Medford, and the towns of Jacksonville and Ashland.
We’re just back from the GRL (GayRomLit) con in Albuquerque – part of my “other” life as a queer writer.
We explored downtown and Old Town, and thought we’d share some of our favorite things about each. We stayed at the Hyatt Regency in the heart of the “new” downtown. Albuquerque is clean and quiet – at least in October. We were both surprised by the paucity of public art – there are very few murals or public statues and sculptures here.
Puerto Vallarta is well known for its vibrant gay bar and club scene. It is Mexico’s #1 gay bar and club scene. So what about the LGBTQ traveler looking for Arts, Culture and Nature? Puerto Vallarta does not disappoint. From November until April, the every other week Southside Shuffle on the cobblestone streets of Basilio Badillo in the Romantic Zone feature street music, food and drinks, and artists showing their work in the local art galleries. Also the Centro Historic Artwalk draws a large crowd to the center of town every Wednesday to galleries open until 10 pm.
For the rest of the art, culture and nature found in Puerto Vallarta visit this story.
Pieta Rondanini – Keep Calm and Wander
Pieta Rondanini is Michelangelo’s unfinished marble statue. Since 1952, Milan is a host to the master’s work. Today, you can find it at Museo Pieta Rondanini inside the Castello Sforzesco. When Michelangelo died in 1564, they found the sculpture at the artist’s workshop in Rome. Afterwards, the unfinished statue was missing for more than 200 years and reappeared in 1807 at Palazzo Rondanini.
And that’s how it gained its monicker: Pieta Rondanini.
As you can see, Mary is standing, supporting her son, Jesus, after he was taken down from the cross. The famed Pieta inside St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican has Mary sitting while looking down at his son bathed in blood.
By Alain – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander
You’d never miss the monument of the broken chair at the United Nations office in Geneva. It’s on the square in front of the office where world affairs are decided. The monstrosity of the structure carries the weight of a world problem we all too familiar with – war.
Where is it? It’s in front of the Palace of Nations in Geneva. From the train station downtown, take a streetcar that goes all the way to the United Nations. Get off at the last stop.
Best Time to Visit. Wake up early to beat the crowd. The sculpture, I think, can be felt when you’re alone with it. Even without reading its description, you feel the sense of what the statue stands for.
By Alain – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander
Switzerland Gay Travel Resources