The Passport to achieving real freedom and self-actualization in world travel
592048
Time and again Zolecki's counts of world travel reassure me of my own passions and preferences for spontaneity and adventure, leaving me with an even more ravenous thirst for my next journey to chase dreams, experiences, cultures and new languages wherever they may roam.... Big "thank you!" to the thoughtful friend who suggested it to me, I have no doubt at all my next fantastic voyage will be immensely enhanced by the intoxicating au jus that is "Rail Dogs."
3662080
Really nice book in which author with own experience through travel encourages you to think consciously.
3088862
I have been using this book as a preparation for a pilgrimage, and it is excellant. The author treats travel as something worthy of mindfulness and spiritual examination, but does not indulge in preachiness, doctrine, or exclusive religious viewpoints. Examples and anecdotes from many types of travelers and many faiths and academic disciplines are referenced, with the over-arching message being the encouragement of intentionality and being present to the challenges, changes, and lessons of travel. An excellant read for anyone planning a trip that is meant to be more than just a trip.
1145685
Just Keep Going Man is an insightful book about the challenges and struggles of travel as well as personal challenges on one trip through the UK.  It is creatively done with diary entries along with reflections of every day's trip.  It shows the original diaries along with the reflections that the writer later had regarding the journey.  Interesting tidbits about travel especially through Scotland and Northern Ireland.
2228777
The Horse Travel Handbook might sound like a relatively slight introduction to a modern activity undertaken in a few physically benign areas of the world with settled equestrian cultures. That assumption is utterly wrong! In 285 closely written pages CuChullaine O'Reilly has packed profound personal experience augmented by decades of contact with contemporary long riders on all continents, except Antarctica, and deep study of hundreds of years of equestrian travel, much of it rediscovered by the author. The Handbook has a north American perspective reflecting the numbers of long riders and long rides on that continent, but it is quite extraordinary in the global range and depth of its practical content and advice, and in its sense of ethic, its vision and its passion. It is written for all modern long riders worldwide, those planning their first journey and those already highly experienced.

The Handbook is a 'must read' whether the rider is planning a few hundred miles in their own country or 10,000 miles across many countries. Some topics seem obvious, for example: Selection of the horse, selection of any companions, route planning and training, but the content is remarkable. It includes issues and information beyond that which even experienced long riders are likely already to have. Some topics may seem irrelevant to a British rider in Great Britain, for example choosing a reliable guide clearly poses many problems in great tracts of the world but you should take it seriously anywhere as I found, in England, when the husband of a cousin led Strider and me along a path in a village he knew well. He had never noticed that the gate he regularly negotiated on foot was impassable to a horse. Quicksand may sound an exotic problem to most riders in Britain but bogs are real and the behaviour and techniques for avoiding disaster and extricating rider, baggage and horse with minimum risk of injury, are vital. Traffic, bridges and tunnels, documentation, saddles, pack saddle, health, route planning, daily distance: all these need thought. The Handbook covers these and many other topics with information and advice that will benefit the long rider at home and worldwide. I have worked in Kenya, south Sudan, India and Indonesia and have visited and travelled in many other countries. The Handbook's chapters on  paperwork, documentation, traffic, accommodation and new cultures contain much that rings true, and matters.

In 2013 Strider and I travelled round England, my home country, a seven month journey through the centres of towns and cities to their cathedrals and abbeys. Over the previous five years I had spent many hours on the Long Riders Guild website and elsewhere to prepare. Had I been able to read the advice in the Handbook, and then disciplined myself to follow it, I would have planned for a lower daily distance, trained for a faster pace at the walk, been more ruthless over what I carried and, most important, placed awareness of Strider more strongly above my wishes and plans, and the wishes and plans of anyone helping, walking or riding with me. I could have reduced the miles I walked and led from 1,500 to the planned 700. A friend who has done a solo long ride has thought hard about their next journey. They read the Handbook and told me it was worth reading just for the chapter on the selection of a support person, a crucial element in their new plan.

Whether you are dreaming about a long ride, or hard at work planning and preparing for one, whether you are going somewhere familiar or somewhere unknown, reading the Handbook will improve what happens, for you and your horse.

Go well, both of you

William Reddaway, and Strider
2137948
This morning I was dropped off from a ride I've chosen to take.  Actually the ride was more like a hitchhike.  The hitchhike was with a gentleman I've never met in the real physical sense.  We have never shook hands.  Dr. Stewart Bitkoff has been my chauffeur during these excursions.
Over the last year and a half we have become "acquainted"?  That is to say I met him on the Internet.
Along came his writings that I have become hitched to.  Going along the pages as one would go for a "joy ride" a cruise through thoughts, memories, allegories, metaphors, wisdoms, quotes to reach a said destination.
A book is like a vehicle that takes us from one thought to another through the written word.  Then utilizes our knowledge, perception and imagination to take us to another destination.
Today I finished the ride only to be left at a point in my thoughts where I must access where I am and where I will go.  Life is a ride, a journey.  Where I go from here is up to me.  Where I've been Dr. Bitkoff has taxied me through to better assess my progress and understand my destination.
Thank You Dr. Bitkoff.
I highly suggest that you, my fellow journeyman/woman, take the same ride that Dr. Bitkoff offers.  It just might assist you on your own journey.
4932535
A practical and imaginative guide to travelling the world on a budget. Ryan explains in simple terms how to get the most out of using tools readily available to everyone. I am completely inspired by this book and ready to try some of the simple but very effective ways of travelling cheaply... but not compromising on quality! An awesome book, thanks Ryan. Happy travels.
2608497
Travel is expansion, widening, opening-up. It is the conquering of ones fears, insecurities, prejudices. It is the hovering above ones life, past and present, and seeing it in the larger context of the world. It is the fierce struggle against our already formed concepts of the other; the vanquishing of our dearly held beliefs, of what is familiar, intimate, cherished.

Travel is more than visiting a place with a set itinerary. Travel is becoming lost in the culture, the beauty, the history and yes ones own self.

Lets be honest, if the reader is seeking a travel book that one may sit and read about the world or a plan to take a trip this isn't it. Its a how-to, not just how to see the world, but to feel it, breathe it, experience it fully. Its a life philosophy of discovering ones own self within the scope of the world. Where the world becomes a single destination where one can experience the past, present and the future within its boundaries and never leave the planet. It is Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance meets philosophy and the great explorers. Its seeing the world we live in, opening our minds to the concept of eight continents instead of seven. It is more than a travel book, more than philosophy; it is deeper than the religions of the world all rolled into one.

I have to be honest; I wasn't sure about this book when I first began reading. However, Nicos has a way with words that captures the imagination that gave me a hunger and set me on a world quest to experience life in my own current surroundings as well as the desire to see myself within the world. I found I couldn't put this book down. I wanted to not only read, but also absorb and meditate upon each word. I loved the little stories of Nicos own travel experiences that were more than just simple adventures, but discoveries within themselves. Even each chapters footnotes are not to be missed, giving more detail on quotes, further discussions and more. The pictures not only capture natures beauty, but seeing real life in other parts of our globe  whether day-to-day activities, funerals, religious ceremonies or university students taking a break. Life and the world are meant to be experienced and through the words, thoughts and philosophies of Nicos Hadjicostis we do just that. Deep, powerful, inspiring must read.

as a wolf searches and finds its deer, and as a bird finds its seeds, every human finds what his body and mind searches for.
4720856
Completing the Wheel: An Adventure in Creativity and Life, is an inspiring book that seeks to encourage its readers to look introspectively and make a conscious effort to become more creative. It takes you on a journey of both discovery and rediscovery of ones true self, not the one created by situations and circumstances. The author encourages us to rediscover that inner child that may have been lost; to restart the imagination we had as children, so that we can live beyond the hum drum of daily life and imagine all the possibilities that truly exist. Motivate yourself to go beyond the present. As children we were free of worries, free spirited and did not keep a record of wrongs. We were forgiving, not self-centered, willing to try new things and discover what the world had to offer. Dittmar encourages the unleashing of our creativity; we should dream bigger, set new goals and strive to attain them even if at the moment we think its impossible. We sometimes lose our perspective because of lifes uncertainties, however standing still does not release those fears, we should work through them.  Fear cripples many of us and because of fear we hold ourselves back and never truly realize our true potentials. As the author suggests, we need to let go the things that we cannot control, and make peace with things that have happened long ago, as holding on just creates more limits. These things affect us in all aspects of our lives, personally and professionally. There is only one life to live, we should dream big and achieve, utilizing all the resources at our fingertips.
142765
Broken Open offers readers a front seat on Lesser's soul searching journey.  The ride is a meaningful adventure and, as with most travel to new places, it leaves one with new perspectives and insights.  I encourage clients who are going through crises and major life transitions to read it.  It serves almost like a trip advisor - each person's individual trip is always unique but the book can help the reader contemplate the challenges of uncertainty to be encountered along the way.
1092546
Chasing Freedom is an Excellent read! As you follow the Miriam family through their pilgrim's journeys, a panoramic view of cultural expression is yours. With a closer examination, the book's archetypal characters are striving for the ultimate human expression - Freedom to live life with pride and dignity. Each level of prejudice and bigotry they experience drives them to reach farther into their soul and human fabric for the answers to the age old questions, "What is the meaning of life?" and " What will ultimately make me happy?" May this presentation of the Ella Miriam's experiences and truths be a blueprint for your human quest to answer these same questions. Michael Ulm, D. Min., CCI
616662
In my journey reading this book in the back of my mind I was thinking travel light in life. When I pack I usually get the clothes you can bunch up in a suitcase and they need no ironing.  No time for drying hair either, I am on vacation.  It was refreshing to see how Hinduism and Buddhism religion  could get along without having the criticize the other.  The book was very informative about the countries she visited.  I did like the idea she bought handmade things.  I did find the book lengthy as she kept going back to her prior life in the United States.  I admire the fact that the Asian people were happy without a lot of material things. One lesson the book taught me no matter what travel challenges you face, there is also a way to get through them.  I did admire the fact that Ellie did buy a lot of handmade things from these people.  Another lesson I learned is I never want to take this so called Adventure to Paradise even though I enjoyed reading this book.  This kind of trip doesn't go with my personality, and I am no perfectionist.  I received a complimentary copy of this book through Reading Deals in exchange of an honest review.
3741469
As a 30-something New Yorker, Ive been experiencing a shift in my attitude toward consumption these past few years. A sustained delight in returning the cable box to Time Warner; in preferring e-books that take up no space; resoling a pair of boots instead of buying a new pair; saving for a trip by eschewing taxis and new clothes for a year. I haven't had a word  much less a movement  to which I could attribute this sense of wanting my life to involve less stuff and more experience. Turns out there is a word and a movement: Stuffocation.
With a conversational approach to the capitalist system and social values, the author explains how wespecifically, gulp, Americanscame to embrace and spread the gospel of materialism. He introduces us to colorful people who have become minimalists, medium chillers, consumer-minimalists, and finally, experientialists. He weaves studies and statistics into the narrative, raising the same questions that readers are asking.
The takeaway? What constitutes a satisfying consumer transaction is indeed shifting. The future will be an experience-based economy with goods that are more environmentally considerate; less bulky; more customized; easily updated and designed for sharing; and most importantly: they will promote activities that bring us closer to others and provide us with a shareable conversational currency.
My takeaway? Wanting fewer things and more experiences has set a domino-line of change into motion. It has the potential to transform mindsets, habits, lives, societies...and it starts with you, me, us.
254245
Jurgen Ziewe is a seasoned multidimensional traveler, and a master at OBE and RV. I very much enjoyed his descriptions of traveling through the use of higher meditation states of consciousness. I personally use another method, but found that I can reach some amazing dimensional shifts using some of his techniques. I am profoundly grateful for his depth of awareness, dedication and steadfastness at higher realms of meditation. They have offered new insight into my own travel. Definitely a must read!
3282037
This collection of travel stories captures the essence of travel.  From the ramblings of an over-sexed twenty something to a classic portrayal of the venerable Atlanta Hotel in Bangkok this book is able to give to the reader (at least this reader) the sense of excitement, fear, and exhilaration that is the reason why we travel.  I also like the intertwining of both professional and amateur writers.
3472651
My world view is transformed in many ways!
Experiential ism seems a brilliant next phase of our evolution.
When spending money to travel in my youth  I would hear "nothing to show for it" and feel a bit of guilt. No more!!!!
4386280
Here  East meets West - to help you reinvent yourself and experience Personal Renaissance. Never mind your age or stage in life. The book comes with Timeless Time Machine and Beginner's Vitamins.
 As the author promises, our quest unfolds along two paths - one to seek, the other to see -- like life itself. On one path we have destinations to reach, milestones to measure progress, fruits to pluck.
 On another path, we journey with no intent, nothing to gain, no demand of any kind.  Nothing to do but see what is along the way. The destination may not be clear but the direction is compelling. What wonders might lie ahead?
 I discovered my Self along the way. What might you discover, or rediscover?
 The Beginning of your story is written, says the author. You get to compose the Middle and the Ending. Get your book and pen. Begin. Now.