To get a good look at your life, take yourself far away!

Coffee time in Chile. Coffee tastes good all over the world.

   My book, as I say on the cover, tells the story of my trip around the world: 147 days, 20 countries, 36,750 miles by plane, train, and bus for only $83 per day!

   My book will give you an armchair trip around the world. I have written an honest account for you, telling you the good and the bad. You will get a good idea of what such an extraordinary adventure is really like. It may inspire you to do the same thing, or at least to visit a few countries.

   To help you in your travels, I have written a special section of detailed advice of what to do and what not to do. This will save you time, money, and worry. It is called "My BackPack."

   Why I took the trip: It was a dream of mine. I considered it important for me to do. I saw my 75th birthday rushing up. It was now or never.

   It carries a vital core message for you: you can do it, too! At whatever your age, 18 or 80. You can travel alone, as I did most of the time. Or with a companion. You can do it inexpensively, as I did. Or you can upgrade.

   The important thing is to try to immerse yourself in each new culture … however briefly ... and not isolate yourself from it. If your true interest is learning rather than merely vacationing, it’s a mistake to stay at fancy hotels with fellow Americans all around you … where the only locals you will meet are people interested in making money off you. They are doing nothing bad, but you're doing something bad to yourself.

   My book has been printed by Infinity Publishing, 2005. They have provided other important technical services as well, such as getting it listed on key distribution outlets. I am the true publisher…the “self-publisher.” An important point. What does that mean? Good question. Click the Self-Publishing button in the column on the left of this page and you will get to the answer. An answer that may surprise you.

      It showcases an important idea for you: why don’t go around the world! In one big loop, as I did. Or the way some people hike the Appalachian Mountain Trail … two weeks this year, three next year, and so on, until you’ve achieved it! Foreign travel is important in every person’s development. A big trip is a s significant as a master’s degree any day.

   My book does two things:

   First, it tells you about my solo trip around the world for my big 75th birthday. I flew to famous cities in Asia, India, the Middle East, Africa, and South and Central America. Great cities like Tokyo and Singapore, Delhi and Cairo, Rio di Janeiro and Lima. Plus some 20 others. Did not hit Europe. I had been there some 20 times.

   I wanted to go with someone. We’d feel safer. We’d save money. And it would be more fun. But milady Annabelle had a bad knee. And my grandson Ryan had big school obligations. I recruited my friend Keith, of my age, who had traveled alone. But he quit after only 20 days – an infected toe was the biggest reason. Dammit!

   How could I go on to China and Cambodia, Lebanon and Kenya, Argentina and Chile and other exotic places all by myself? Scary. Maybe I should quit too. I thought about that. But I kept on. I found I could do it! And that I was better off. No more discussing what to do, where to sleep, how much to spend. And a wonderful thing: now, as you can understand, I was meeting more people!

   It was no longer Dammit! Now it was Hallelujah!

   It turned out to be an exciting trip. Seeing fantastic sights. Making new friends. Getting a better understanding of the world. Losing some of my fears and prejudices. Seeing more similarities between us than differences. I enjoyed a thousand little adventures and yes, ran smack into a couple of mishaps. But mishaps happen at home also. A marvelous, memorable trip. So pleased I did it.

   Second, my book offers you an important plus. It offers you a ton of advice, much of it in practical how-to tips derived from my own experience day after day on the road. Studying these tips will ease your trip. Whether you're going all around the world or planning a trip to just four or five countries. You will plan it better, carry it out better, and save money in many ways, from buying airline tickets and the necessary visas to making room reservations everywhere. Travel Insurance. Buying plane tickets. Doing special planning to go south of the Equator. Dealing with Airport Security. And so many other aspects.

   “Other travelers should know these things,” I thought. So I’ve written them up. They have become a big, rich special section called My BackPack. Why? You jam all kinds of things into a backpack. I’ve jammed all kinds of good things into this helpful section for you.

   Some people say I should publish it separately as a booklet that they can take on their own trip. The idea has merit. Oh, I’ve also included lists of DOs and DON’Ts which I have put together from my own hard-earned experience. All good stuff – stuff I’ve never seen published elsewhere.

   I have deep beliefs. Here are just two. You will find more in the book.

   • “If you smile, people will smile back.”

   • "The right attitude is everything. You can conquer the world, or come home with your tail between your legs. It’s up to you.”

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| Where I Went | Why Dammit | Look in My Book |
| The Back Cover | Do's and Don'ts | My Aphorisms | Self- Publishing |
| Want me to Speak | How to order | Email John |