tonyjian

Sigh. Halfway through, I may need a Theroux break. Vinegar is not the only seasoning that makes food taste good. The man is an exquisite wordsmith and a sharp-eyed observer, but one of the things that means is that his lack of compassion, lack of empathy and big doses of judgmental superiority sparkle like diamonds throughout the essays. I want to yell every so often, "YES! We are not as cool as you! If we concede that point, apparently so important to you, can you mellow out and tell us a good story?" I'm also a bit peeved with his repeated assertions that solitary travel is the only kind of travel that really means anything, when clearly he has guides and companions to get him to and through some of these difficult destinations, like, say, Africa. I travel too, so I know that getting there IS the journey, and if you've hired a guide and then you pretend you're on your own, you're dishonest at an essential level. He describes companions who can translate for him and answer his questions, but then it is always Paul pitching a tent alone. Do they exit stage left or what?

2022-11-14 16:36