Unhappy with his job and life in the States, Jason makes the
decision to buy a one-way ticket to India in hopes to find himself and find
spirituality.
He doesn’t have a travel plan, and comes as prepared as he
can be. But, even with all the advice and preparation, nothing can help him
with what he encounters.
Harassed by beggars and over-priced cab rides, Jason makes
his way to different parts of India. It is a beautiful place, but it is filled
with things unimaginable by people who have never been there.
During his trip, he decides to take a course in meditation.
Going for days without talking ends up being difficult, but he comes out the
other side hoping to become a new person.
Meeting the locals helps him along. His visit to Nasik opens
his eyes to what the Indian spiritual culture is really about. He learns more
than he could just traveling around by himself.
After Nasik, Jason makes his may to Calcutta where one could
argue is where his journey REALLY begins.
He learns more about himself here than he has anywhere else
throughout India. Holding the hand of a dying man, cleaning people who cannot
help themselves, and learning that just a simple touch or massage can make a
lonely person happier than anything.
His time in Calcutta was probably my favorite section of the
book to read. The others kind of had similar themes with them trying to fight
off the beggars and trying not to make the cab drivers too mad.
The Calcutta trip was just so real and very emotional in a
way. It is fitting that it is the last part of the book. It really ends on a
high note. It was what his trip was all about.
If you like travel or spiritual memoirs, this is one to pick
up. It has a nice balance of both, and Jason gives you a good amount of details
about everything that he is encountering. It is easy to imagine that you are
there experiencing it with him.
Jason’s writing style is easy to follow and fun to read. It
is filled with both narrative and dialogue so it stays interesting the whole
way through.
4/5 stars
