Journal Entry 1 by lmn60 from Spotswood, Victoria Australia on Sunday, April 02, 2006

A dear friend gave me this book. She believed I would relate to the author's adventures, being something of a traveller myself. She was right! I really enjoyed this book and have loaned it to several of my friends who also enjoyed it! I must add as a caution, however, though I was inspired by Gelman's ability to live the nomadic life, the cynical part of my brain kept muttering, 'Well, it's all right for her... she has an independent means of income'. Still, I was most impressed with the her adventuring spirit.

Now it's time to share this book with the world....

I note that this book is on a lot of wishlists, so am reserving it for a bookring. Let's hope there's some interest in it!

from Amazon.com....
"When Rita Golden Gelman traveled to Mexico during a two-month separation from her husband, she hoped to satisfy an old craving for adventure and, in the process, rejuvenate herself and her marriage. Little did she know it was the beginning of a new life, not just as a divorcée, but as a nomad of the world. Since 1986, Gelman has had no permanent address and no possessions except those she can carry. She travels without a plan, guided by instinct, serendipitous opportunities, and a remarkable ability to connect with people. At first her family and friends accused her of running away, but Gelman knew she had embarked on a journey of self-discovery and a way of life that is inspiring and enviable.
We know Gelman is not your typical middle-aged housewife from LA when, on that first trip to Mexico, she randomly picks a Zapotec village and decides to live there for a month, knowing nothing about the culture or the language. When she arrives, the villagers run away from her, terrified. By the time she leaves, there are hugs and tears. From there she travels to Guatemala and Nicaragua, Israel and the Galapagos Islands. But the heart of the book--and her 15-year journey--is Indonesia, where she lives for eight years. It is Bali that forever changes how she looks at the world, facilitated by her friendship with an aging prince. Tu Aji not only invites her to live with his family but decides that the education of Rita will be his final duty in life. Wherever she goes, Gelman has an uncanny ability to slip into other ways of life and become part of a community. And she is a person for whom doors open widely--her seatmate on the plane to Bali scrawls the prince's name on a piece of paper, she talks her way into a sojourn at Camp Leakey in Borneo where orangutans are studied, and an entire village in a remote part of Irian Jaya prays for the clouds to clear so her plane can land--and they do! Gelmen's secret is her passion for people. That being the case, the book is short on descriptions of place, but long on the rarer inside view of the peoples and customs of those places. This in itself is treat enough, but Gelman's animated and intimate story comes with a kicker--it's never too late to fulfill those dreams."
 

Journal Entry 2 by lmn60 from Spotswood, Victoria Australia on Thursday, April 20, 2006

Journal Entry 3 by Hawkette from Ballarat, Victoria Australia on Monday, May 01, 2006

Ohhhh, I think this book will only lead to trouble!!! The last thing I need is more travel ideas!! Hee hee.
Arrived over the weekend while I was away... 

Journal Entry 4 by Hawkette from Ballarat, Victoria Australia on Sunday, May 21, 2006

I enjoyed this read, and taste of traveling and living from one place to another, living and sharing.

I found the no holds barred way of writing, in that Rita told of her failures, her mistakes, the times things didn't work out, quite refreshing...if not strange to add in. I probably wouldn't have mentioned those parts, myself!! Hee hee.

Interesting to hear of a mature America woman experiencing the world as she did, engaging, and dare we say it, imposing on people all over the world!! I found it quite amusing to read about what was new and news to her. Also funny to hear about her interactions with other travelers and her surprise at who she ended up mixing with.

The whole discussion about the NZ lingo was very funny!! Hee hee!
Thanks for sharing this one! I think as a self-confessed travel addict myself, it hasn't necessarily made me rethink...but enjoyable as a travel tory collection, nonetheless. 

Journal Entry 5 by Hawkette from Ballarat, Victoria Australia on Thursday, June 01, 2006

Have finally put this in the mail today, and should arrive with the next reader tomorrow. Sorry for the horrendous delay - payday and chances to get to the post office seem rarities at the moment!! Hee hee.

Another point that has stuck wiht me since finishing reading about Rita travels is her point about it being mature aged women on the travel trail rather than the same aged men - very true....and in all honesty, I see the mature aged woman with a backpack as a free spirit, an adventurer, and someone who is educating herself about the world in the right way. I actually see men of that age traveling around in a much harsher light - why is he on the road? Why isn't he looking after the family with his steady (read, boring), job. Plus the men traveling around Asia of a certain age seem to raise suspicion for me. Perhaps gender roles finally at our advantage!! 

Journal Entry 6 by Rossella05 on Friday, June 02, 2006

Arrived this morning with The Rough Guide to a Better World, thanks lmn60 and Hawkette. I have two other bookrings to read before I can start this one but they shoudn't take me long to finish. I'm looking forward to starting it, it's been on my wish list for a while.

Edit.13Jun06 Started today. 

Journal Entry 7 by Rossella05 on Tuesday, August 29, 2006

I want to apologise to the other participants for keeping the book so long. I have been reading it for almost 3 months now and still haven't finished it so I'm just going to send it on as soon as I have travelernnn's address. Thank you for sharing, I hope to come accross it some other time. 

Journal Entry 8 by travelernnn on Wednesday, September 27, 2006

I received this book on Friday and started reading it immediately. It is a fascinating story. I look forward to finishing it....

All I can say after reading this book is WOW. I enjoy traveling and have been to a few countries, but I think the intrepid travelling into areas where she might have been met with hostility (such as Nicaragua in the 80s as an American) is amazing, brave and perhaps foolhardy. I think her portrayal of her nervousness and discomfort at some of her travels as she nears the end of the book (and thus her more recent memory) is perhaps more realistic than her idealized memories of her first years as a nomad. Regardless, she is to be admired for her adventerous spirit. Check out her website, which she offers at the end of the book. It is quite interesting and she also has a link to Bookcrossing. :)

I mailed this book on Friday, October 13. I hope the next reader enjoys it as much as I did. 

Journal Entry 9 by mirthful from Trondheim, Sør-Trøndelag fylke Norway on Monday, October 23, 2006

Yay!

I'll start this right away - mount TBR will just have to hold on for a while longer.

Thanks, lmn60! 

Journal Entry 10 by mirthful from Trondheim, Sør-Trøndelag fylke Norway on Friday, October 27, 2006

I found this a very refreshing sort of travelogue. The way Rita stays in the same place for extended periods rather than always moving on to the next place is unusual, but exactly what nomadic life should be about. Naturally, the book makes me want to travel, but in a way I'm also quite happy to sit at home and read about other people travelling, so at least it didn't frustrate me ;)

(A bit more in my bookblog.)

The book's on it's way to book-man-8 right now. 

Journal Entry 11 by book-man-8 from Tübingen, Baden-Württemberg Germany on Friday, November 03, 2006

I just got it in the mail. Thanks to "imn60" for this ring and to "ragsrobin" for sending! 

Journal Entry 12 by book-man-8 from Tübingen, Baden-Württemberg Germany on Monday, November 06, 2006

A very enjoyable book. The parts I liked best were those about the Central American countries. I could get itchy to travel again...
Waiting for the address of the next reader. 

Journal Entry 13 by book-man-8 at on Wednesday, November 08, 2006

Released 5 yrs ago (11/8/2006 UTC) at

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Sent to "Rubyblue" in the Netherlands. Enjoy reading and get your backpack ready... 

Journal Entry 14 by AnonymousFinder on Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Received in the mail a few days ago (sorry for the slow journal entry). Why do I have the feeling that I will be reading into the wee hours tonight? Just looking at the cover ("Living at large in the world") makes me want to leave the dishes in the sink and walk out the front door taking only what I can carry in a small bag? As Hawkette wrote in his/her entry, I fear that "book will only lead to trouble." (But that won't stop me from reading it.)

CAUGHT IN NUNSPEET GELDERLAND THE NETHERLANDS 

Journal Entry 15 by rubyblue on Monday, February 19, 2007

I didn't realize I must not have been logged in when I made journal entry 14 on November 14, LAST year . . . how time does fly. Don't see anyway to change that entry to be under my name so hope this will clear that up. Sorry to have held on to the book so long, and will be sending it on as soon as I have satnam's address. Time and poor health (among other things) have blunted my initial reaction to the book. I do remember wishing I could do the same thing as the author, but A. she's already done it, and B. the time is just not right. 

Journal Entry 16 by rubyblue on Saturday, March 24, 2007

After "resting" at my house for several months, Ms. Nomad is finally moving again, to Satnam in the US. I enjoyed the book very much, struggled against the impulse to run away from home, leaving behind everything--dog, cat, unwashed dishes, BOOKS even. Alas, I lack the oooomph (or is it the nerve) to actually do it (when did I get old?) . No one has mentioned the author's website so I will. http://www.ritagoldengelman.com. Rita lists BookCrossing in her links, and is actually a member, http://bookcrossing.com/mybookshelf/femalenomad. Nice to know you can PM her through her bookshelf, if you want to.
Huge apologies to everyone for holding up the ring so long (at least I mailed the book "priority"--very big of me, seeing as there's no longer any other alternative for sending books to the US from NL). 

Journal Entry 17 by Satnam from Milford, New Hampshire USA on Wednesday, April 11, 2007

The Nomad made it safely across the ocean! I received this a couple days ago and have already started it. I've read the first 3 chapters and am enjoying it. I'm also looking forward to reading the journal entries. Thanks! 

Journal Entry 18 by Satnam from Milford, New Hampshire USA on Tuesday, May 01, 2007

I have finished reading this and I loved it! I didn't want it to end. I have PMed sistert for her address. 

Journal Entry 19 by Satnam from Milford, New Hampshire USA on Friday, May 25, 2007

For some reason I thought I had already mailed this, but I hadn't. I mailed it today to sistert. Enjoy! Thank you very much lmn60 for sharing a great book! 

Journal Entry 20 by sistert from Catonsville, Maryland USA on Friday, June 01, 2007

Received. I truly look forward to this book and will get to it as soon as possible. I have 2 books ahead of it (one being read now) but I'll go as quickly as possible. 

Journal Entry 21 by sistert from Catonsville, Maryland USA on Tuesday, August 21, 2007

This is one of those rare books that makes you want to get up and do something, once you're done reading that is. There was something about the way Ms. Gelman described her adventures that let you really be there. All my sense were engaged. She had a way of telling you what would happen later that made you want to find out how in the world did that outcome happen!

My mother and I like to travel and get immersed in the cultures though we've never gone so far as to wing it in such remote places but it is encouraging. Bali has been added to my list of places to visit and New Zealand just got bumped up several notches.

I've been to her website to see what else she's up to and am looking forward to the cookbook that will be coming out one day.

I'm buying a few copies of this book to give as gifts and one for my PC that's how much I enjoyed it.

Contacting collectorkerri now. 

Journal Entry 22 by collectorkerri from Springfield, Illinois USA on Monday, October 15, 2007

Received today. Will read ASAP. 

Journal Entry 23 by collectorkerri from Springfield, Illinois USA on Wednesday, November 14, 2007

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It doesn't make me want to sell all my possessions and pick up and go, but it's nice to dream about. Rita's adventurous life is great to read about, and gives me lots of ideas on where I want to travel--someday!

Sending on to ksreader tomorrow. 

Journal Entry 24 by ksreader from Frontenac, Kansas USA on Monday, November 26, 2007

This book arrived just a couple days before Thanksgiving, so I am just now getting to a computer. It's had quite the journey through our bookcrossing network! I should finish reading it by tomorrow and will be sending in on ASAP. 

Journal Entry 25 by peachy93722 from Seattle, Washington USA on Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Got the book in the mail. I am so looking forward to reading this book. Thanks for passoing it on ksreader. 

Journal Entry 26 by peachy93722 from Seattle, Washington USA on Wednesday, December 26, 2007

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It makes me what to be out in the world traveling myself. I would love to visit some of the places that Rita has been to, and gives me inspiration to visit other places of my choosing. I so agree with Rita's point of view of being able to live with and getting to know the local people where ever one travels. You learn so much of the place you are visiting when you do that.

I'm just waiting to recieve the addy of the next in line so that I can send the book off. 

Journal Entry 27 by peachy93722 from Seattle, Washington USA on Tuesday, January 29, 2008

I'll have this book in the mail Friday. 

Journal Entry 28 by EMA375 from Santa Clarita, California USA on Tuesday, February 05, 2008

Arrived today! Looking forward to reading this one. 

Journal Entry 29 by EMA375 from Santa Clarita, California USA on Wednesday, March 12, 2008

So sorry for keeping this book for over a month! I've been consumed by my pregnancy but finally having more energy to read. I thoroughly enjoyed Rita's Tales of a Female Nomad. She has truly inspired me to travel more and think about experiences, culture, etc. I really didn't want this book to end. I wanted to hear more of her experiences. Sorry again for the delay. I've paged the next person on the list. 

Journal Entry 30 by jubby from Sydney, New South Wales Australia on Monday, March 31, 2008

Yay! Look what arrived in today's post - along with two other books.

I will strive to get to this book shortly.

Thank you for sharing this book with me. 

Journal Entry 31 by jubby from Sydney, New South Wales Australia on Monday, May 12, 2008

Thank you very much for sharing this book with me Lm60.

A friend told me about this book several years ago, and just raved about it. She herself is an older women, with grown children who loves to travel. I can see why the book appealed to her so much.

As for myself, well, I found it an enjoyable and easy read, but... I don't think I would exactly follow in the steps of Rita. Call me grumpy, but I thought as an educated, older woman, she has much to offer the people and communities that she visited and lived amongst, in return for the generosity and hospitality that she herself received.

But, I guess this is just me being petty.

Thank you Rubyblue for pointing out that the author is also a bookcrossing member (we get around!), and for siting the details of her website. I'll be sure to pop over to have a look shortly.

I agree with Sistert too that this book would make a fine gift. 

Journal Entry 32 by jubby at Bookring in Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Monday, May 12, 2008

Released 4 yrs ago (5/12/2008 UTC) at Bookring in Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases

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Popped into the post on Sunday. This book is now on it's was home to Lm60.

Thank you. 

Journal Entry 33 by lmn60 from Spotswood, Victoria Australia on Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Woo hoo! Safely home again. Thanks so much to everyone who participated.... now let's all get those travelling shoes on!