By Tony Horwitz
I started this book while on the road because nothing goes better with a bit of travel than travel literature. The travel I was experiencing, while not exactly luxurious, was nonetheless comfortable with many amenities. It was a new city for me so I decided to be bold. Without clutching a guidebook I hit the pavement and wandered the downtown area without a plan. Okay, it was a US city, I did some research online ahead of time and the streets were numbered so this wasn't actually that bold. Especially when it is compared to Tony Horwitz's journey hitching around Australia in One for the Road. Yep, that definitely qualifies as bold.
I have always wanted to visit Australia. It is probably at the top of my travel list. No particular location, just Australia. But Australia isn't just one homogeneous place. It is like, the US, huge and full of distinct environments and a broad variety of cultures. Tony Horwitz moved to Australia with his wife and decided to explore his new country in order to get to know "the real Australia" not just the urban environment he was living in. The real Australia he feels is to be discovered through hitch-hiking into the Outback. He wants unplanned boyish adventures as an antidote to the settled life he finds himself living. He gets that in spades.
The journey happens in two separate trips, at the end of the first one he nearly meets with disaster, but the second goes smoothly--or as smoothly as one might expect such a trip to go. Along the way he meets many farmers, shearers, truckers, miners and con-men. He also encounters pearl divers, Aboriginals, bartenders, suburban exiles, racists and many others. He has no troubles finding a ride and is extended a variety of welcomes. It is a strange yet delightful journey through a landscape that few know.
It is also a journey fueled by alcohol--beer mostly. Because there is so little water, beer has become the beverage of choice according to some. It may also have to do with the hard life, the harsh and empty landscape, the struggle to endure the endless heat. Most of those who give him rides are drunk, drinking, or plan to visit a pub and get drunk. They measure the distances between towns in quantities of beer. One for the road becomes 5, 10, 20 or endless tinnies. At first Horwitz is alarmed, but soon comes to understand the way of things. On occasion he even joins in and finds himself as drunk as the driver. I can definitely say this is not the trip to Australia that I want to take. Depending on the kindness of drunk strangers isn't precisely my vision of a happy and safe journey. But the unplanned adventuresome aspect, now that does appeal to me.
I felt very bold on my trip earlier this month, venturing forth without plans, specific destinations or sights. I went where ever my feet took me. Still, I only had a few hours and I could only go so far. As an independent traveler I need to keep safety in mind so certain aspects need to be planned like where to stay and how to get there. What I do there, though? I think on my next trip I will be breaking free of my planning habit and leaving that up to fate. I will go forth and explore strange new places boldly. It won't be to places where no man has gone before, but hey, they will be new to me and I already cannot wait.
Anyone want to have one for the road with me?
No comments:
Post a Comment