Travel
- Miscellaneous
First, an update about using coconut oil as a moisturizer. After trying it on my face for several days I don't think I'll use it any more. It didn't do any better than my Vitamin E face cream, and I don't like the coconut smell,...
- Getting Rid Of Stuff.
After reading Billy Bob's efforts to organize his great stash of books and the resulting discussion about whether or not to give some away or keep all of them, I decided to take a look at what I have - not nearly as many books as a lot of folks have,...
- Ah, Air Conditioning!
By 5pm yesterday the house was so hot I could barely stand it. I think it was too hot for the swamp cooler to have any effect, and it was just blowing hot air. I saw that the thermostat on the wall registered 99 degrees in the living room...
- My Lucky Day
First of all, since the first 19 spam comments I received this morning, I changed the settings to disallow anonymous comments and haven't gotten n'ary a one since. Second, I took a look at the four used books by Nevada Barr, putting them in chronological...
- Arriving At An Unexpected Destination: Self-discovery
It’s that time of the year when most people have a long holiday booked or are planning for their travels. For most people who go travelling, it’s an opportunity to learn more about different cultures, as well as a chance to be involved in new experiences...
Travel
'Eat, Pray, Love' - My Review
I've just finished reading, actually listening to the audio book, 'Eat, Pray, Love
' by Elizabeth Gilbert. I loved that it was read by the author herself which gave the book an extra dimension. To make it clear right from the beginning, I'm in the camp of those who liked the book; and this review contains spoilers.
' by Elizabeth Gilbert. I loved that it was read by the author herself which gave the book an extra dimension. To make it clear right from the beginning, I'm in the camp of those who liked the book; and this review contains spoilers. 'Eat, Pray, Love' is all in all a well written novel with lots of easy to understand explanations of complicated metaphysical concepts. This book is no travel guide - for that, try Fodor, Lonely Planet or National Geographic - but it is what some might consider interesting travel blog material.
I connected with Liz throughout the book more than I hoped for. I don't think I've ever read anything so personal before; nor so real. Yes, it is common for authors to write spicy sex scenes for better ratings but admitting publicly that you masturbate is a completely different matter. But this is Liz. She tells us everything that crosses her mind. And that's either very brave or very stupid of her. Oh, and she doesn't want kids of her own, though she likes children very much! Now this is dangerous for a woman to admit in public, especially at a certain age. The capital sin one can commit in front of the society is to try to be different. Not many people understand this. You live for and through your children. Your children are the very purpose of your existence. Life is not complete if you don't have children. These are lies people tell themselves everyday, because they are afraid of dying alone. Once you admit not wanting children, a big scarlet letter shows up on your forehead. And this is why I believe Liz was brave writing this book the way she did.
I read some mean 'Eat, Pray, Love' book reviews just before writing this. Yes, the author is self-centred. But than this is the purpose of the novel. She's on a journey of self-discovery, self-understanding and self-acceptance and though she doesn't travel on a budget, doesn't have near death experiences during her year of travel, and she doesn't have to worry about raising three kids in a third world country, yet her journey isn't less important, though maybe a bit less remarkable. I hate it when people narrow the list of problems one might have to struggling financially for survival in a hostile world. Yes, the way to happiness passes through the stomach. But than when the food, clothing and security problems are all set, it doesn't mean there are no more battles to fight. My mother used to tell me that after a day working the fields you can have a good night sleep and wake up the next morning brand new; but if you burn yourself in intellectual work, you will need more than a good night sleep to heal you mind. There's a similar parallel between the financial and spiritual problems. It takes many years of therapy or whatever help available to heal a broken heart or a lost soul. Life is complicated. Believe me; I have a sense for this kind of drama.
Liz's year long journey starts in Italy where she stuffs herself with all the pasta and gelato she can find; and I envy her as I happen to love Italian food. She even gains a few pounds and she is not ashamed to admit it. She thinks she's still pretty even when her clothes don't fit anymore. How can she not be, for Gods sake? She's only 35. Yes, I know, the crimes against fashion and our little lives ruled by a few Photoshoped Hollywood actresses. Just wait a few years and you will actually see how pretty you looked in this summer’s photos. Time doesn't forget anybody. Young is beautiful.
Learning Italian just for the pleasure of it totally rocks! I think this is a very healthy attitude and I love the way she did it. It's in everybody's grasp to talk with the locals. It's free too! The only objection I have is not visiting the amazing array of museums and churches Italy has to offer. I couldn't. Wherever I go, art comes first. Oh, and I was glad to find out Naples not only gave the world pizza but gelato too!
In the second part of the book Liz moves to an ashram in India. A bit more difficult but nevertheless interesting part of the novel. I felt overwhelmed with the amount of details and philosophies she explains here. I bet the Pope didn't like it much. I mean Rome for pleasure and India for spiritual guidance? Shouldn't it be the other way around? But I totally agree with Liz's decision. I feel closer to the Hindu philosophy than to the bloody beliefs of the Vatican myself. Still I'm not sure I could wake up at 5 o'clock in the morning for meditation.
The last part of the book is my favourite because of all the incursions she makes in the Balinese culture, their traditions and the status of women. I loved the part where Felipe explains the culture of poverty. And of course, the foundraising idea was absolutely brilliant!
I believe there's time for everything in life - a time for enjoyment, a time for being alone and a time for love. Finding the balance is the key. People might believe this is easy because people don't spend much time thinking about it. But it all hangs by a thread. Anyone could be Liz because the little dramas are the rule, not the exception. For the vast majority, life is no Shakespeare play. And that's why I liked 'Eat, Pray, Love'.
I believe there's time for everything in life - a time for enjoyment, a time for being alone and a time for love. Finding the balance is the key. People might believe this is easy because people don't spend much time thinking about it. But it all hangs by a thread. Anyone could be Liz because the little dramas are the rule, not the exception. For the vast majority, life is no Shakespeare play. And that's why I liked 'Eat, Pray, Love'.
- Miscellaneous
First, an update about using coconut oil as a moisturizer. After trying it on my face for several days I don't think I'll use it any more. It didn't do any better than my Vitamin E face cream, and I don't like the coconut smell,...
- Getting Rid Of Stuff.
After reading Billy Bob's efforts to organize his great stash of books and the resulting discussion about whether or not to give some away or keep all of them, I decided to take a look at what I have - not nearly as many books as a lot of folks have,...
- Ah, Air Conditioning!
By 5pm yesterday the house was so hot I could barely stand it. I think it was too hot for the swamp cooler to have any effect, and it was just blowing hot air. I saw that the thermostat on the wall registered 99 degrees in the living room...
- My Lucky Day
First of all, since the first 19 spam comments I received this morning, I changed the settings to disallow anonymous comments and haven't gotten n'ary a one since. Second, I took a look at the four used books by Nevada Barr, putting them in chronological...
- Arriving At An Unexpected Destination: Self-discovery
It’s that time of the year when most people have a long holiday booked or are planning for their travels. For most people who go travelling, it’s an opportunity to learn more about different cultures, as well as a chance to be involved in new experiences...