Rainy Day Bookstore Afternoon

I love to spend rainy afternoons in bookstores. Don't ask me why but they just seem to go together. It's been a year or so since my last trip to London so I thought it best to get an updated map and perhaps a new guidebook. There are a plethora of travel book choices for London so it does take some time to sort through all the offerings. Rick Steve's guidebook seemed to speak to me. Maybe it's because I've enjoyed his PBS Travel TV shows Rick Steve's Europe Through The Back Door. Maybe it's because I had the pleasure of meeting Rick a few years back at a travel conference. After a quick flip thru the pages I noted the usual maps and diagrams but this book included self-guided walks and even self guided tours of London's major museums and attractions. One of my favorite walks in London is a simple stroll along the Thames. I've done it dozens of times. As I read Rick's Bankside Walk suggestions I began to read about all the history I failed to grasp during my many trips along the river. I scurried to the check out and headed for home.

My husband Brian is addicted to my Banana nutty muffins. They are the mainstay of his work day breakfasts. The cooler weather today was the perfect opportunity to bake a few dozen ahead for our freezer. I certainly want our freezer to be well stocked "whilst" I'm in London.
While waiting for the first batch to be done I started into Rick's London Guide book.
I read quickly thru his introduction chapter...yeah, yeah, yeah...typical stuff I know from my trips to London...even noted a few things that I need to email Rick's publists about. The last page of Rick's introduction is titled Back Door Travel Philosophy. Here Rick shares his own humble opinions about being a world traveler. I whole heartedly agree with his opinions about travel being addictive and how globe-trotting destroys ethnocentricity.
BUT...I was very struck by his closing statements that I must share with you here...
Rick says travel changes people - "It broadens perspectives and teaches new ways to measure quality of life....Their prized souvenirs are strands of different cultures they decide to knit into their own character. THE WORLD IS A CULTURAL YARN SHOP. And Back Door travelers are weaving the ultimate tapestry.
Wow...Rick really gets it and said it best. Boy did I pick the best guide book for our London trip or what!