This book describes and illustrates the independent travel adventures of the author, his wife and occasionally his children from 2005 to 2018. He was determined to leave his job as a psychologist at age 58 because of a bout of prostate cancer 10 years earlier. This would give him the time he needed to take extended trips. The first journey was a 9 month excursion to Central and South America and that only whetted his appetite for more. Other adventures included sojourns in Southeast Asia, a teaching stint in China, several trips to India both touring and trekking, Morocco, as well as various parts of Europe, Tasmania, and New Zealand.
The book contains hundreds of color photographs taken by the author as well as practical travel information. There are also short histories of many of the countries in order to put his experiences in a wider perspective. Finally there are various, shall we say, philosophical riffs in which Dr. Shapiro tries to convey his reasons for travel and how it has changed his life and how it will change yours if you are open to it. He believes that the only way to truly understand yourself and your own culture is to immerse yourself in the culture of others. While this is not always comfortable it is always rewarding and instructive.
Indeed, as I indicate many times throughout the book, I am forever grateful for the journeys described herein. They are without a doubt some of the most meaningful experiences of my life and I hope that they inspire you, dear reader, to embark on your own unique adventures. Carpe Diem, Jonathan.
Please note that although the book is available as a big, expensive hardback edition, it is much more readable on a Kindle app or on Apple Books. Also because of the number of color photos reading it on a tablet rather than an actual Kindle will be more rewarding.
About the Author
Jonathan Shapiro is a lifelong traveler and adventurer. He has always enjoyed hiking, skiing, and going to out of the way places without the security of a tour. He enjoys meeting new people and trying understanding their culture as well as his own. For work, he was a clinical psychologist specializing in marital and family therapy in the Albany, New York area. For the past 9 years or so he has resided in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He has always believed that a fully lived life is one which entails a certain amount of risk and openness to new and sometimes challenging experiences.
