Preparations
I do not do anything without reading about it first. If I can’t read about it, it can’t be done.
These are the books I’ve read in preparation for the most irresponsible thing I’ve ever considered doing:
The White Rock by Hugh Thomson
The Jaguar Smile: A Nicaraguan Journey by Salman Rushdie
Chasing Che: A Motorcycle Journey by Patrick Symmes
Understanding Central America by John Booth
Vagabonding: An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel by Rolf Potts
I recommend each one. The White Rock is a great primer on the nature of archaeological exploration, the Inca, and modern South American life. It makes you believe there are still things left to discover.
The Jaguar Smile is a meditation on communism and colonialism coupled with a fascinating and accessible history of Nicaraguan politics. It doesn’t whitewash the Sandinistas, but it does present a nice corrective to typical U.S. narratives about Nicaragua during the 1980s.
Chasing Che is the most typical travel narrative in the bunch (recreate a famous person’s journey, encounter a crazy cast of characters and reach profound personal insights along the way, add words, stir and publish) that’s fun and quick.
Understanding Central America gives a useful background on the history of each Central American country. Not beach reading, but invaluable.
Vagabonding makes my crazy decision make sense. It’s a must read for anyone interested in the philosophy of long-term travel. I will probably discuss this book at length as my travels get underway. (For the record, I’m not a disciple of this fellow, though I found several useful ideas in this book. This is a topic for future discussion.)
Fun fact: The daughter of Martin Chambi, the early Peruvian photographer, appears in both Chasing Che and The White Rock. Maybe I will try to meet her myself as she is obviously a central figure to travelers in the region.
If anyone has tips for further reading, please pass them my way.
-Megan
Tags: Books, Central America, Che, Preparations, South America, Travel
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You could read The Old Patagonian Express. Like most travel books by Paul Theroux, it will make you wonder why he doesn’t just stay home if he really has as little fun on these trips as it sounds like. All the same, it’s a decent book about a train trip from his home in New England all the way to Argentina, less the few places along the way where there are no trains.
Funny you should mention that particular book — it’s definitely on my list. Let’s go see if the good old SF Public Library has a copy. Thanks, Megan.
Hi — you should read _Sun Moon and Witches_ by Irene Silverblatt. It’s an amazing account of class and gender in pre-colonial and colonial Inca society in Peru. Totally blew my mind. And by the way, you guys are the greatest! I’m really amazed by what you’re doing and think it’s fantastic. Jealous!!! OH — and check out Kate’s super-bourgie cooking blog — http://www.syllabub.blogspot.com
Three Suggestions
“On the Road” Jack Kerouac
“Air Conditioned Nightmare” Henry Miller
“Travels with Charley” John Steinbeck
These narratives are not about central or south america but they do teach about traveling.
Forget Paul Theroux after reading this guy you won’t leave your bedroom.
And remember
“You are only lost when you are looking for a destination” ZEN or somebody else
” A thousand mile journey begins with the first step” MAO
Good luck I think you’ve taken your first step
See you in September
DAD
Why have I not read “On the Road?” What kind of American post-teenager am I???
Glad you made it to the blog, Dad. Great suggestions as well. I’ll need to spend some serious time at the beach here in SF figuring out my travel philosophy.
-Megan