One of those rare travel-book that I have read; this one presents a different experience. That of travelling through conducted tours, which is unusual for a book on travel wherein the author/traveller prefers going solo.
This is why it is different; it brings out the moments of interaction and a shared experience with the fellow travellers. Sharing both time and space with a set of people leads to experiences which add another dimension to sight-seeing.
This is why it is different; it brings out the moments of interaction and a shared experience with the fellow travellers. Sharing both time and space with a set of people leads to experiences which add another dimension to sight-seeing.
Perur presents an eclectic mix of travel experiences, right from pilgrimages, to mainstream tourism, to NGO-developmental trips, to even sex tourism. Even though it is called a 'conducted tour of India', the sex tourism is set in distant Uzbekistan.
While one can overlook this diversion, what I fail to understand is the title of the book: there is only a brief mention of Madurai during the Tamil Nadu temples tour, and I am not sure if the author landed there on a Monday.
While one can overlook this diversion, what I fail to understand is the title of the book: there is only a brief mention of Madurai during the Tamil Nadu temples tour, and I am not sure if the author landed there on a Monday.
Writing is first-rate and witty. Perur combines facts, experiences, opinions and legends seamlessly to provide a light but engaging read.
There is one laugh-out-loud moment when a novice NGO activist addresses a group of villagers and laments the lack of women (busy with their household chores) in the audience by saying: 'matayein aur behnein bhi hote tho achcha hota; lekin mujhe pata hai ki ye unke dhandhe ka time hai'!! - or something to that effect.
By far the most howlarious piece is about the sex tourism to Uzbekistan, wherein a group of middle-aged, balding, pot-bellied men go on a rollicking, tipsy and sleazy tour - so much so that one of them saunters across to the travel agent on the plane to tell him: 'dekho...hum yahan poora enjoy karne aaye hain...!' - how typically Indian!
There is one laugh-out-loud moment when a novice NGO activist addresses a group of villagers and laments the lack of women (busy with their household chores) in the audience by saying: 'matayein aur behnein bhi hote tho achcha hota; lekin mujhe pata hai ki ye unke dhandhe ka time hai'!! - or something to that effect.
By far the most howlarious piece is about the sex tourism to Uzbekistan, wherein a group of middle-aged, balding, pot-bellied men go on a rollicking, tipsy and sleazy tour - so much so that one of them saunters across to the travel agent on the plane to tell him: 'dekho...hum yahan poora enjoy karne aaye hain...!' - how typically Indian!
The book ends on a touching note when it describes the extraordinary faith and hardship displayed by the followers of the Varkari sect, on their annual Vari, or walking pilgrimage to Pandharpur. Kudos to Perur for putting up with the gruelling walkathon, often living on the roads and fields, and even under a truck, before finally reaching the sacred destination.
Colour photographs might have enhanced the appeal of the narrative.
Over-all an interesting book, which will be admired by travel enthusiasts and bookworms alike.
Image source: https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/515uCTOq8pL.jpg
Over-all an interesting book, which will be admired by travel enthusiasts and bookworms alike.
Image source: https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/515uCTOq8pL.jpg
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