|
|
|
Most people, however interested they may be in their work, have a migratory need and look forward to the time when they can have a holiday or do something completely different from their usual routine. Some wish for a relaxing holiday, following a period of hard, physical work. Others may require an invigorating one to compensate for days of sitting at an office desk. Whether the choice is to soak up the sun, to take the opportunity of meeting people and exchanging ideas, to explore historic buildings, or to look around at nature, it is fairly certain to incur some form of travel.
This book is an account of a holiday. It tells of a year in the life of my wife and I who, being attracted by the idea of visiting foreign countries, gave up our work and travelled overland with no more pretentious an object than to enjoy a long and interesting journey.
The seed that germinated into this venture was probably implanted between the pages of a pile of National Geographical magazines. One winter evening, as we both sat looking through them, we realised that each in its turn was whetting our appetite for adventure. In a sudden burst of enthusiasm we spread the maps on the floor and within minutes had roughed out a plan for a journey that would take us as far as Nepal and back in one year.
During the following months we related our plans to various people, and were interested by their different reactions. Some, of course, were enthusiastic and fascinated by our plans, informing us that given the opportunity they would love to do the same. They told us about the wonderful places we would see, and how we would never regret spending our time in this way. Others were more cautious, asking us to consider the life of security that we were leaving, the dangers of breakdown, bandits and disease. A few just could not understand why we should want to contemplate such an unconventional venture, and were quick to add that in their young days they had never had the opportunity of a holiday abroad.
There was also the more personal aspect to be taken into account, that of leaving our parents, relations and friends. We were even reminded that we might not see them again.
The truth of this made its mark, but we felt that we must take a more realistic attitude to our future.
But let me start at the beginning and describe in more detail the various aspects of our arrangements that led up to our departure.
 |  |
|
|
|