Famous Faces, Famous Places and Famous Foods
2 BOOK REVIEWS – A Woman’s World & Gutsy Women
A Woman’s World
Editor: Marybeth Bond; Writers: various
Gutsy Women, Second edition
by Marybeth Bond
Publisher: Travelers’ Tales Inc, San Francisco, California
Rating: *****
Uplifting,
entertaining and practical, these two travel books are “best friends
forever”. A Woman’s World is a series of 55 easily digestible,
bite-sized anecdotes by women who have traveled independently to various
parts of the world. Gutsy Women is Marybeth Bond’s latest
compilation of useful “travel tips and wisdom for the road”. And each
is an education in itself.
Several of the writers in A Woman’s World were in search of
self-discovery, spiritual awakening or roots: menopause in Borneo; soul
work in Chartres; pilgrimage in Italy. Others traveled to challenge
themselves, learning to listen to their inner voices or to sidestep
danger. Some simply went to relax. But all have unique stories to tell –
from the cozy to the bizarre. Among these are:
§
playing couch-potato in Mexico, where servants flutter and
painting your toenails is a main event;
§
being kidnapped in the Italian Alps;
§
volunteering in Africa;
§
surviving the advances of a married Romeo in Bolivia;
§
taking grandma to India.
Whether you’re male or female, young or old, timid or wild, you’ll
find this a great armchair voyage. Fright. Romance. Dreams. Lessons. But,
above all, adventure any way you define it.
Gutsy
Women covers the spectrum of practical advice for women travelers.
Bond anticipates every eventuality, and is there with advice, ideas and
stories – underlined by quotes from North American women who have
“been there, done that”. This guide is organized by type of travel
(mother-daughter; the older adventurer; the gutsy diner) and issue
(romance; safety; health) so it’s easy to zero in on specific needs or
interests. Packed with titillating tidbits and anecdotes, this slim volume
is a great traveling companion.