The Best Travelers' Tales 2004: True Stories from Around the World

The more than two dozen stories in this collection span the globe, from battling snakes in Costa Rica to probing personal reactions to India's caste system, navigating the “oldest tourist trap in the world” in Egypt, and learning to cook octopus in Mexico. The book, a mix of the previously published and new stories, has a wide cultural reach, with writers from around the world — some seasoned pros, some passionate novices — covering a vast range of experiences and locales. Themes are equally varied; they include spiritual growth, hilarious misadventures, exotic romance, family travel, stories of service to humanity, women’s solo journeys, and much more. The common thread connecting these tales is fresh, lively storytelling that will make readers laugh, cry, wish they were there, or be glad they weren’t. Illustrations and maps are included.