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Life Is Like A Walking Safari
by
Jill Paris realized at a young age that if she waited for “someone special” to take her away to far-off destinations, she’d have never left the sofa. In this volume of travel essays she reveals her curious sense of adventure and shows us that an unexpected encounter is often the best souvenir.
From attending a couple of strangers’ wedding reception in Belfast, shopping for ...more
From attending a couple of strangers’ wedding reception in Belfast, shopping for ...more
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I enjoyed this quick read book, which I read for the Women's AdventureTravel Book Club on Facebook. The author, Jill Paris, would be fun to travel with, I think, except I couldn't keep up with her drinking, lol! She always seems to find adventures on her travels and meets and makes friends easily. I admire her spirit for just deciding to take a trip somewhere and then just going! Her writing style is very engaging and made me feel like I could see what her words described. She made me laugh, too
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What a delight! You've never read anything quite like Jill Paris. One minute she's making you laugh out loud, the next she's taken your breath away with some small, poignant moment that perfectly captures the foolishness or courage or hope or wonder of being human. Example of the funny: Jill in the throes of an ill-advised Parisian adventure with a couple of party girls half her age, whose insistence that she is "hot" makes her compare herself to "a chicken that's been taken out of the oven and
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This is a fun, smart read—a look into the human spirit that just happens to be about traveling. Paris's insights might never leave home and still be as witty and engaging.
Paris loves language and has a way with imagery:
"Somebody passed a spliff, and soon the smoky air became like another passenger along for the ride."
"The girl is plain...with a marching freckle parade across her turned-up nose."
She also loves a good—though often subtle—laugh:
"I felt like knitting him a sweater or something ...more
Paris loves language and has a way with imagery:
"Somebody passed a spliff, and soon the smoky air became like another passenger along for the ride."
"The girl is plain...with a marching freckle parade across her turned-up nose."
She also loves a good—though often subtle—laugh:
"I felt like knitting him a sweater or something ...more
My newest source of inspiration is Jill Paris. I lead a regimented, yet boisterous existence thanks to a toddler and baby, who've anchored me to a sedentary life. After reading Jill's humourously and human rendering of the importance to jump at chances and lead a life fully explored to the four corners of the globe, I'm inspired to bite the bullet, carry my babes in arms, and seek out adventure with them. Bravo!
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These stories brought back awesome and vivid memories of when I was travelling through Europe and Northern Africa solo in the 70's. Good job Ms. Paris of reminding me of the crazy, spontaneous and unforgettable experiences of travelling. You also have a way of describing events and people that makes the motionless page come alive.
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Very short, quick read. While the topics seemed to be interesting I found each "mini-essay" to bee too short for me to get attached. I would have loved to read longer pieces with more details.
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Life is a Walking Safari is a fun, quick read that provides a glimpse of interactions with the world which shaped who Jill Paris is.
One of the best audio books I've ever listened to. Very entertaining.
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Great travel stories that are original, hysterical at times, unpredictable and beautifully told. Thoroughly enjoyed this read.
Loved the Orkney Islands story so much I have decided to organise a solo holiday of my own. Humorous and inspiring on so many levels.
Delightful and entertaining travel stories. I enjoyed them all.
Wonderful book. Wonderful writer. Great insights!
Each chapter is a short essay about Paris' travel experiences. Funny and insightful, I found this collection entertaining and moving. I definitely recommend!
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“Maybe life is like a walking safari. If you venture out expecting lions and leopards all the time you’ll almost always never find them. Maybe the best things are the ones you never knew you wanted to see. The ones that, scary as they may seem, were just the things you needed to unleash reality.
I’d selfishly written my story before even reaching Africa. I’d romanticized scenarios, fabricated settings, invented fantastical dialogue, and almost overlooked the lesson I’d been sent to learn – to live life on foot and not in my head, with fearlessness, presence, without expectation, and above all, with gratitude.”
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I’d selfishly written my story before even reaching Africa. I’d romanticized scenarios, fabricated settings, invented fantastical dialogue, and almost overlooked the lesson I’d been sent to learn – to live life on foot and not in my head, with fearlessness, presence, without expectation, and above all, with gratitude.”
