A roundup of travels from across the globe
At the airport
Loose change left at U.S. airport security points added up to $376,480.39 (U.S.) in 2010. The Transportation Security Administration kept it all. But under legislation introduced by a Florida congressman, future orphan cash would go to airport agencies that assist passengers. No one counts the abandoned loonies in Canada. However, screeners must try and intercept forgetful passengers, says the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority. If that fails, all items go into airport lost-and-found boxes, and could eventually end up at local charities.
Out and about
Not all readers agree, but The Advocate, a lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender magazine, has named Salt Lake City the gayest city in America. This year's ratings excluded the usual candidates – San Francisco, Boston, Miami and New York – and used such criteria as gay and lesbian bookstores and nude yoga classes. The home of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir got a boost because of its mutual-commitment registry that recognizes same-sex couples. Rounding out the top five were Orlando; Cambridge, Mass.; Fort Lauderdale and Seattle.
At the museum
A controversial year-old museum has become one of Tasmania's hottest tourist attractions. Hobart's Museum of New and Old Art is privately owned by gambling millionaire David Walsh. Among its latest exhibits are X-rays of people having sex and a close-up film of a pimple being squeezed. Also on display temporarily is Tim Steiner, a tattooed man, who has sold himself as a work of art. When he dies, the skin of his back will be removed and claimed by a German art collector.
Sources: Washington Post, CNN, The Age
Special to The Globe and Mail