Rosemary Caperton

A collection of short stories of women traveling. I can respect the bravery of these women going to crazier ideas of travel than I would dare.

I find that short story collection are too jarring for my tastes usually. But as I continued through each story, I did see a common tone: they were rather whiny. Think if I read any of the stories by themselves, they would be amusing. Together, I just got tired of listening (reading).

Let me see ... the stories I remember most. The woman whose toilet overflowed into her downstairs neighbor's apartment.… (mer)

Definitely an easy and light read, it took two train days. Less actually, it didn't take all of today's rides. Some contributors were familiar from other anthologies, others were new to me but I can say I enjoyed most of the stories. Ayun Holliday was even palatable in this small dose, although I'm pretty sure this tale was also in No Touch Monkey.

Some favourite bits:
"A traveler's misguided expectations-especially a woman traveler, I think-are less about ignorance, and mor...more Definitely an easy and light read, it took two train days. Less actually, it didn't take all of today's rides. Some contributors were familiar from other anthologies, others were new to me but I can say I enjoyed most of the stories. Ayun Holliday was even palatable in this small dose, although I'm pretty sure this tale was also in No Touch Monkey.

Some favourite bits:
"A traveler's misguided expectations-especially a woman traveler, I think-are less about ignorance, and more about hope..."
I think this really hits the nail on the head - it's not that we don't know what's out there but rather that we have an idea, based on reality or fantasy, of what should await us.

"Inside anyone who's ever experienced wanderlust is a travel muse, and like certain other errant deities known for agitating strong desires, muses tend to work their powers on us at the most inopportune moments."
1000% agreed. I think that's part of the fun of it, however. You never know when you're going to want to go/be elsewhere. I do hope that I'll never have to spend the night at McDonalds, although I don't think that's much worse than Prague Airport.

"One could conceivably get lost in Shinjuku for days. I was lucky; I only got lost for one day, but with a heavy pack and a booty-kicking case of jet lag; it seemed more like a week."
Oh god yes. It really brought to mind my wanderings around NishiNakajima-minamigata station trying desperately to find my new apartment when I went back to Osaka. She also speaks well of the nature of the Japanese and their desire to help lost gaijin. I remember many times, not even lost but just paused on Shinsaibashi deciding which way to go, people stopping to see if we needed help. I love Japan, always will.… (mer)