📚 7 travel quotes from my hero Paul Theroux
Inspiring words from one of the greatest travel writers of our generation
Welcome to Itchy Feet! I’m Daniel and it’s nice seeing you. Whether you’re new or back again, I’m thrilled you’re here.
This newsletter combines three of my favorite things: traveling, learning, and writing. I hope you enjoy.
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Ok, let’s do it. ⛵️
📣 Alert! There’s be a change for this week’s post.
Originally, I was going to share Part 1 of a fun interview with my wife Yesi about her experience as an au pair and camp counselor in the US.
There’s been a short delay in the transcription, so it’s still coming soon.
I didn’t want to miss posting this week, so here’s something from my Medium vintage collection of travel writing.
It’s from cerca 2023 but aged perfectly for 2025!
Thanks for your patience.
Paul Theroux changed the way I looked at the world.
If you haven’t read his books, you’re missing out.
He’s an acclaimed novelist and travel writer born in Medford, Massachusetts in 1941. A former Peace Corps volunteer and ESL teacher, he began an illustrious writing career in 1967.
At age 83, he’s still writing and has dozens of books to his name.
He’s written both fiction and non-fiction stories. His travelogues are absolute gold if you’re looking for inspiration and a nudge to take a trip.
Many of his stories take place on trains and he shares the interactions he has with locals and travelers.
Also, his knowledge of history and current events gives a better understanding of the world.
The first book I read by him was Dark Star Safari, a first-hand narration of his journey through Africa by land.
In this adventure, he recounts how he made his way to Cape Town, South Africa from Cairo, Egypt.
This book was travel writing in its purest form.
His books are filled with wisdom and you’ll find comments that hit deep in your heart.
I felt an instant connection to his work.
Paul Theroux writes of solo traveling, and I discovered Dark Star Safari while also traveling solo. Each page was like inspiration food.
I could relate to his observations, internal monologues, and vivid storytelling.
In moments when I had no clue what was going on, I had Paul’s writing.
It served as an anchor in times when I felt like a stranger in strange lands.
Even today, when I still feel like an oddball, Paul’s writing is my refuge.
Actually, I found Dark Star Safari at a book exchange self in a hostel in New Zealand in 2010.
His story inspired me to see the world, to observe my surroundings on a deeper level, and to write about my journeys.
If it wasn’t for Paul, maybe I wouldn’t be sharing this newsletter today.
Paul will probably never know who I am, but I’m forever grateful for his life’s work and passion.
So, in honor of my travel hero, here are some interesting quotes from Paul Theroux I’d like to share with you:
“Tourists don’t know where they’ve been, travelers don’t know where they’re going. Travel is glamorous only in retrospect.”
“You go away for a long time and return a different person — you never come all the way back.”
Dark Star Safari: Overland from Cairo to Cape Town
“Most travel, and certainly the rewarding kind, involves depending on the kindness of strangers, putting yourself into the hands of people you don’t know and trusting them with your life.”
Ghost Train to the Eastern Star
“I cannot make my days longer, so I strive to make them better.”
“In countries where all the crooked politicians wear pin-striped suits, the best people are bare-assed.”
“Anything is possible on a train: a great meal, a binge, a visit from card players, an intrigue, a good night’s sleep, and strangers’ monologues framed like Russian short stories.”
The Great Railway Bazaar: By Train Through Asia
“Delay and dirt are the realities of the most rewarding travel.”
Ghost Train to the Eastern Star
Thank you Paul, I’m grateful for you.
Back to you, my friend!
Who’s your travel hero? How do they inspire you?
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Ok folks, that’s it for this week. Once again, apologies for the delay on the interview. I hope to publish Part 1 next week!
Thanks for reading and being part of the Itchy Feet travel caravan. 😎
Wishing you a wonderful week and happy start to April. Chat soon!
Much love,
-Daniel
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Some old (but well-aged) Itchy Feet posts:
• 🎬 Brad Pitt accidentally gave me great travel advice
• 🥨 The 3 most important tips I learned to improve a solo trip
• ✈️ 10 kinds of passengers you meet on planes
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“Tourists don’t know where they’ve been, travelers don’t know where they’re going. Travel is glamorous only in retrospect.” - this is such a great quote! And the one about putting your life in the hands of people you've just met on the road. So true!
I've heard of Dark Star Safari but never read it. I am a HUGE fan of quotes-of any kind! My favorite of Theroux's that you mention was "I cannot make my days longer, I strive to make them better."