Life is a Trip: the transformative magic of travel
One famous travel writer, Bruce Chatwin, one asked another, Paul Theroux, what he thought about his work. As recounted in Theroux’s collection of travel pieces, Fresh Air Fiend, Theroux’s major complaint was that Chatwin “never explained the difficulties and in-betweens of travel—where he slept, what he ate, what kind of shoes he wore.” In LIFE IS A TRIP: The Transformative Magic of Travel, Santa-Fe based travel writer Judith Fein describes many such in-betweens. For her, the most mundane moments are often turning points, when a trip can turn into a catharsis, where plans are thrown out and intuition takes over. Fein loves to take herself off the beaten path and then wait to see what happens. Her collection of essays is not so much about an intrepid traveler as a spiritual searcher, someone willing to travel to the ends of the Earth to find answers.Michael Wade Simpson, The New MexicanLife is a Trip, Judith Fein's globetrotting adventures remind us that we travel to be changed, in big ways and small.  This book is immensely readable, steeped in a spirit of connecting with place, with each other, and with our inner selves."--Keith Bellows, Editor-in-Chief, National Geographic TravelFrom irreverence, reverence.  That's the magic of Judith Fein's writing.  Her unconventional view of the world and her grand sense of curiosity open doors to new adventures and understanding. allowing us to look deeply in the differences that keep the word fascinating and the similarities that keep us unified.  "Life is a Trip is a journal of the heart, soul and mind and we are much the better for it."Catharine M. Hamm, travel editor, Los Angeles Times.Delightful, vulnerable and at times painful are the scenes revealed in this fantastic volume.  She catches the tender details of human interactions and pursuit of spirituality with a theme replete with grace for the subjects.  Her writing inspires trust and those who want both heart and mind inspired will not be left wanting.  A wonderful read."Shannon Stowell, President, Adventure Travel Trade Association