Earlier this year I started listening to Rick Steve’s travel podcast and have picked up several book recommendations.
(Note that I am no longer going to provide links to Amazon…I trust you can find the book yourself and ideally at your local bookstore, at the library, or another online vendor.)
On the Hippie Trail: Istanbul to Kathmandu and the Making of a Travel Writer is an edited version of the journal Steves kept while making this trip when he was 23.
First of all, this physical book is so nice. The paper stock is luxurious; it includes a pull out map so you can follow along; and there are lots of color photographs throughout. This book would make a great gift!
The story itself is quite adventurous. Actually anything during this time period seems so now because there were no cell phones and not many guide books. In 1978, Rick and his friend traveled through Iran, Afghanistan, and India, places most of us have not been. Along the way he documents details like what they ate and who they meet but also overall impressions of the destinations and culture. Like in his podcast, he makes it interesting even if these are places you will likely never go.
Because he could only carry so much film, he limited himself to seven photos a day. Imagine that! This required him to really make the photos count, which he did as evidenced by those he shares in the book.
As someone who traveled some around this age (not to these exotic of locations and not for as long!) with my friend, this book makes me wish I had written more down at the time. My already vague memories are fading, but I know it was a transformative experience.
Steves postscript says “the flip side of fear is understanding, and we gain understanding through travel” – travel has never been more important! Also he – in his podcast, shows, and books – promotes the idea “travel is more than bucket lists and selfies” and this is the record of where it all began.