This Book Was Not for Me

Radio Shangri-La: What I Learned in Bhutan The Happiest Place On Earth
by Lisa Napoli

Here is what I learned by reading this book.  I learned that I don't care what other people learn while traveling.

That sentence makes it sound like I didn't like this book and for that reason I hesitated writing this post.  But here is the thing, it wasn't that I didn't like the book.  I did enjoy parts of it.  I initially picked up Radio Shangri-la as I had only read one other book that involved Bhutan, namely The Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner (interestingly, also an NPR journalist like Napoli).  Reading it,  I was fascinated with the portrayal of ordinary lives in a country I knew so little about.  Napoli really did have an opportunity to see beyond the expensive tourist trail and get to know the real Bhutan as she worked at Radio Kuzoo, doing not much in particular.  She was even fortunate enough to be present during the historical transfer of power from a King to his son and from a Monarchy to a Democracy enabling her to witness the change in both the people and the nation.  I cared about that.  I did not care about the two men who threw themselves at her, her midlife crisis, or her professional ennui.  I didn't care that this 6 week impulsive leave of absence "changed her perspective on life".

None of this has any reflection on the book or the writer.  This was actually a perfectly fine story of a personal awakening that is well written.  The fault here is all mine.  This book was not for me and I failed to observe the very obvious hints.  I should have known this was not the book for me when the author was relating her experience in an experimental workshop on positive thinking.  Or perhaps I should have realized when she described the instant thunderbolt connection with a man at a party. Actually, the subtitle was a clear indication of the fact this book wasn't for me. But, no, I was interested in Bhutan and continued on.

But in reading the book, and in thinking about my reaction to it,  I did come to fully understand why I am an armchair travel reader, perhaps even why I am a traveler.  It is all about a sense of place not a sense of self.  It is about a physical journey, not an emotional one.  I know I want to explore, taste, and try new things.  I want to remove myself from what is comfortable and familiar and immerse myself in a strange new place.  I want discovery of a new world when I read, not discovery of inner peace.

Can inner peace and happiness come from travel, ala this book and others (Eat Pray Love would be number one on the list)?  Absolutely.  It just isn't something I, personally, am interested in reading about.  Every book has its reader, however, and though this book is not for me,  this book would be perfect for someone who is interested in personal growth and discovery through travel and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to that person.