So this is a new endeavour to try and document all my trips – past and future.
I’ve recently been reading a book called Down Under by Bill Bryson – a rather interesting author and a boom about his travels across Australia. I read a copy of ‘A Short History of Nearly Everything’ many years ago in high school but it wasn’t until later in life when I discovered he is more well-known for his travel books. I have since been on the lookout for his books in second hand shops – I now hate to admit that I own 7 of them and yet to physically read any of them. I much prefer a good fiction book to get lost in.
However I have recently started a new job in an office where there is no radio or music playing (except on Fridays) but we are actually allowed headphones. This is a complete novelty for me. So for the past few months I have reignited my love for audiobooks. So imagine my delight when I discover several Bill Bryson travel books are free to listen to with my membership.
I started with Down Under since I’ve recently (pre pandemic) visited Australia and frequently consider just packing up and moving there so I thought that reading about a place I am relatively familiar with would be a good start.
I was hooked straight away with his style of writing – almost like watching a documentary or reading his diary. The books are written in first person with everything being described in real time alongside his inner monologue. He throws in the occasional anecdotes or facts he has read which sometimes (but not always) reference the place he is currently visiting.
This relates to my style of storytelling so well that I’ve decided to document it with hopes to add a ‘My Travel Diary’ section to by website (where hopefully you are reading this).