It helped, at least!

When I was in college, I got on a Crichton tear one summer, and read this book. It had so many great new ideas, and made me want to travel the world, or parts at least.

But I never got around to it after college- my other devotion, of being a therapist, got in the way, and that was my focus after graduation. After getting a Masters Degree and working at a well known Hospital in my area, it started to lay people off left and right- and this was a few years BEFORE the big depression hit the US and world recently! I looked at the field and saw the days of the great therapist are pretty much over, to be replaced by the great drugs and managed cares of the 21st century...

But enough of that! My other interest in life was education, (As Crichton's was, I think, at least to a degree...) but to do it internationally. After spending one year in school toward an Ed. cert, I also had a chance to meet a Korean professor who recommended Korea as a chance to have the experience.

All the while, this book and Crichton's ideas were in the back of my head. I had looked into it a bit, but my Professor's talk re: the matter made me pursue it at full throttle. And what a thrill it's been!

I am stateside now, but am working to get back as soon as possible. Seeing the world, even in one other country has been a huge thrill to me on MANY levels. And the best part is, I plan on taking it further!

So thank you, Michael. Unfortunately, he passed away shortly after my own father did. In a way, they are both what I consider great forces in my life. My father was a well respected therapist by many, and earned a great deal of money in the process. I realized I could never match any of these accomplishments, nor did I want to- the grind got too great for me. Crichton's ideas re: travel, exploring new levels of thought and exploration really energized me at many times, and still do today.

And I took a few books with me when I first went over- TRAVELS was one of them. When I had to return to the States after my first job there, as a going away present, I gave this book to one of my co-teachers. She's Korean, but was going away for a year to Austalia, as many Koreans do. I told her that I looked forward to seeing her again- and as the time passed, we stayed in touch. She is now my fiance! She tried to get through the book, too, but found it difficult. She did find living in a new country to be a great thrill for her as well, and I promised her we'd return to Australia one day, and she can be MY guide there!

Yes, I think many of us have been deeply touched by Travels.
Some of his experiences were very familiar, so I laughed and cried a lot while reading the book. Travelling is the single most important thing in a person's life, in my opinion. As it broadens your boundaries, and makes you grow: provided if you let it happen!
Best of luck to you and your fiancee.
cheers, D.

Travels has been life changing to me as well.
To see a man's battle with what he perceives described with so much insight gave me hope and motivated me to start writing my own experiences down.
Travels stands out between all other books I've ever read in my life.
I have a few copies, one of them send and signed by the author and still often simply pick it up; open it at random and read; and so amazingly often it will open at a subject I can relate to at that point in my life.
Maybe we should open a thread here with random "Travels" quotes and discuss.

It's always good to discuss Travels with weathered Travels readers.

This book inspired me too...
I regret that such a force of life had already completed ...