Travelogues

I like travelogues, I find them inspiring.

I recently read "The Geography of Bliss: One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places in the World". It is written by Eric Weiner, a NPR foreign correspondent who travels to countries including Bhutan, Holland, Qatar, Iceland, Thailand, Moldova and India to find what makes people happy (or unhappy in the case of Moldova, the world's most unhappy country). The book is funny, insightful and a fun read. Weiner does generalize quite a bit, but I guess it is unavoidable in an undertaking such as this. For instance, in India he focuses on the Art of Living ashram, which is definitely not representative of most of India. My favorite country accounts were from Bhutan and Thailand as I totally identified with the "what can you do" Thai attitude.

Another recommendation is "Michael Palin's Himalaya" documentary. I am half-way through the 6-hour series and am thoroughly enjoying it. Palin travels 1,800 miles across the Himalayan range through Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, and China exploring diverse geographies, participating in local traditions, and talking to cultural icons.

I have only gotten through Afghanistan, Pakistan and part of India and already have a long list of places I wish I could go to (but probably never will) and those that I know I can go to. The former includes Khyber Pass, K2 (Concordia region) and Shandur Pass where they have an annual polo match at a >12,000 ft elevation. The second list, with more realistic options, includes Amritsar, the Golden Temple, Shimla, and Leh. I know the list is going to get longer as I watch the second half of the series - now, I just need to figure out how to check off the items - perhaps, they need some randomized evaluations in Nepal!