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Big Red: How I Learned Simplicity from a Suitcase
Letting go of your must-haves can be harder than you think… even when you’re lugging them around in a 95-pound suitcase the size and color of a fire engine.
Hoping to experience simplicity and contentment in the “Happiest Place on Earth,” Dias carefully planned her trip of a lifetime. Little did she know that almost every step would be fraught with challenges, mishaps, and detours. Everything that could go wrong on her spiritual journey, did. It was a fiasco that left her wondering whether the Universe—via her Big Red Suitcase—was trying to teach her something.
Hoping to experience simplicity and contentment in the “Happiest Place on Earth,” Dias carefully planned her trip of a lifetime. Little did she know that almost every step would be fraught with challenges, mishaps, and detours. Everything that could go wrong on her spiritual journey, did. It was a fiasco that left her wondering whether the Universe—via her Big Red Suitcase—was trying to teach her something.
- GenresMemoir
264 pages, Paperback
First published April 12, 2017
28 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 15, 2021
Author Ellie Dias takes us along on her "Trip of a Lifetime," and oh, my, what an adventure! We see pitfalls almost from the beginning when she takes "Big Red," a 95-pound suitcase stuffed with essentials, on a trip to Bhutan, Nepal and Tibet. Along the way she offers witty and keen insights and laugh-out-loud humor, and handles harsh realities with a touch of grace and courage I would find hard to muster. The Universe tests her on numerous fronts, laying her best-laid plans to waste in the most exasperating ways, yet empowering her as she finds ways to relinquish expectations and go toe-to-toe with reality.
The book is beautifully written, and the author does a wonderful job of metaphorically shedding unnecessary baggage. I loved learning so much about the people and customs of the places she visits. Her vivid descriptions, which are ripe with details and sprinkled with her own observations and understanding of humanity, made me feel as if I were right there with her at times.
Ellie is a committed and courageous seeker, and the way she shares basic beliefs and tenets of Buddhism brings a spirituality to the trip that is good for the reader's soul. It's the journey of a lifetime, indeed, and we as readers are lucky enough to share that journey while enjoying all the comforts of home--especially indoor plumbing!
The book is beautifully written, and the author does a wonderful job of metaphorically shedding unnecessary baggage. I loved learning so much about the people and customs of the places she visits. Her vivid descriptions, which are ripe with details and sprinkled with her own observations and understanding of humanity, made me feel as if I were right there with her at times.
Ellie is a committed and courageous seeker, and the way she shares basic beliefs and tenets of Buddhism brings a spirituality to the trip that is good for the reader's soul. It's the journey of a lifetime, indeed, and we as readers are lucky enough to share that journey while enjoying all the comforts of home--especially indoor plumbing!
July 26, 2018
Ellie starts her 'trip of a lifetime' to Bhutan, Nepal and Tibet by packing every known requirement of a Western traveler, promptly losing her massive red suitcase on the way because she doesn’t hear the announcement for her flight. Strangely, instead of feeling empathy for her predicament I was annoyed with her for making such a mess. I chose the book because I was intrigued by this solo woman traveler with an abiding interest in Buddhism and I couldn’t reconcile this image of her with the woman who packed Deet , perfectly matched outfits, hair tongs, Water Pik and many bags of trail mix. The two didn’t quite gel.
Once she reaches Bhutan though, Ellie’s descriptions of the monasteries and the dizzying heights to which she has to climb to see them had me gripped. There are plenty of facts in her travelogue to make it a worthwhile read for a traveler planning a trip to any of the three countries she sped through. References to Buddhism and it’s philosophy are liberally sprinkled through the book and are well researched and relevant to the anecdotes she mentions.
I don’t know Ellie but as I got to know her better it became clear that her struggle between the need for creature comforts and the desire to be free of them is real and not just the complaints of an entitled western person who wants her Water Pik on her travels but doesn’t want her bag to weigh too much.
This need for ‘things’ would probably find an echo in the audience for whom it is meant – Westerners – but for me, an Indian who prefers to travel light and values travel experience above perfection, it didn’t sit well. I tried not to judge her struggle and worry about the toilets, or her restricting her diet to toast and tea for fear of the loos and I was succesful because Ellie is honest, self deprecating (which is a form of humour that I enjoy), grows through the story and is a Buddhist.
A growth curve on her journey makes the story even more interesting and the reader is invested in seeing Ellie divest herself of some of the contents of the suitcase. I specially enjoyed her references to her white cocoon of a home in the US, meant to engender peace and tranquillity. The dogs saw that there wasn’t too much peace and the reader can see that Ellie would enjoy her home a lot more if she could just let go of the need to keep it perfect. Just as she would enjoy her trip to the fullest if she spent less time worrying about how she looks and where to use the toilet.
Ellie always finds a positive spin to any event that strikes and all her prayers at the monasteries and shrines are prayers of gratitude. I also liked that she chose to visit village homes and share Tibetan tea with the nomads. Her entire journey is focussed on Buddhist shrines and the people of the countries she visits apart from a short run in with an elephant. But you’ll have to read the book to find out about that.
I have received this book as a review copy from Readingdeals.comBig Red: How I Learned Simplicity from a Suitcase
Once she reaches Bhutan though, Ellie’s descriptions of the monasteries and the dizzying heights to which she has to climb to see them had me gripped. There are plenty of facts in her travelogue to make it a worthwhile read for a traveler planning a trip to any of the three countries she sped through. References to Buddhism and it’s philosophy are liberally sprinkled through the book and are well researched and relevant to the anecdotes she mentions.
I don’t know Ellie but as I got to know her better it became clear that her struggle between the need for creature comforts and the desire to be free of them is real and not just the complaints of an entitled western person who wants her Water Pik on her travels but doesn’t want her bag to weigh too much.
This need for ‘things’ would probably find an echo in the audience for whom it is meant – Westerners – but for me, an Indian who prefers to travel light and values travel experience above perfection, it didn’t sit well. I tried not to judge her struggle and worry about the toilets, or her restricting her diet to toast and tea for fear of the loos and I was succesful because Ellie is honest, self deprecating (which is a form of humour that I enjoy), grows through the story and is a Buddhist.
A growth curve on her journey makes the story even more interesting and the reader is invested in seeing Ellie divest herself of some of the contents of the suitcase. I specially enjoyed her references to her white cocoon of a home in the US, meant to engender peace and tranquillity. The dogs saw that there wasn’t too much peace and the reader can see that Ellie would enjoy her home a lot more if she could just let go of the need to keep it perfect. Just as she would enjoy her trip to the fullest if she spent less time worrying about how she looks and where to use the toilet.
Ellie always finds a positive spin to any event that strikes and all her prayers at the monasteries and shrines are prayers of gratitude. I also liked that she chose to visit village homes and share Tibetan tea with the nomads. Her entire journey is focussed on Buddhist shrines and the people of the countries she visits apart from a short run in with an elephant. But you’ll have to read the book to find out about that.
I have received this book as a review copy from Readingdeals.comBig Red: How I Learned Simplicity from a Suitcase
November 10, 2023
I've had this book on my Kindle for a good few years now. In a declutter mood, I decided to read it so I could free up space - kind of ironic due to the theme of the book.
It was not a bad read, read quite fast too and enjoyed the stories and images from her trip. Had a good few giggles too - especially her "elimination" tales, boy, the author must not decide to visit rural parts of Africa too soon - longdrops and going behind a bush or even alongside the road is a skill learnt by all here very quickly.
What frustrated me was the suitcase - Big Red - and the author's attitudes to how people reacted to it. Honestly I viewed it as a very First World attitude to things - throw money at a problem to make it "go away" and the disrespect you display towards people expecting them to battle with something that is too heavy for you to carry, but because its their job that they are being paid for, they are expected to do it. And ignoring the travel agency recommendations is just plain arrogance and to an extent entitlement, recommendations are there because of experience as to what works and is necessary not too annoy the tourist.
It was not a bad read, read quite fast too and enjoyed the stories and images from her trip. Had a good few giggles too - especially her "elimination" tales, boy, the author must not decide to visit rural parts of Africa too soon - longdrops and going behind a bush or even alongside the road is a skill learnt by all here very quickly.
What frustrated me was the suitcase - Big Red - and the author's attitudes to how people reacted to it. Honestly I viewed it as a very First World attitude to things - throw money at a problem to make it "go away" and the disrespect you display towards people expecting them to battle with something that is too heavy for you to carry, but because its their job that they are being paid for, they are expected to do it. And ignoring the travel agency recommendations is just plain arrogance and to an extent entitlement, recommendations are there because of experience as to what works and is necessary not too annoy the tourist.
July 14, 2020
"Big Red", is a 95 pound red suitcase, which the author packs for a 22 day trip of a lifetime. Despite warnings from her husband Ron, she is determined to pack for ALL eventualities!
However, as her journey unfolds "the penny" finally drops...
Although this is essentially a travel memoir, full of interesting facts about the countries she visits, it is also a unique illustration of the healing power of letting go.
However, as her journey unfolds "the penny" finally drops...
Although this is essentially a travel memoir, full of interesting facts about the countries she visits, it is also a unique illustration of the healing power of letting go.
March 28, 2020
This is not formatted for Kindle
What an annoying book to try to read. I'm not finishing this. Can't change font size or color of the back ground, Instead of reading like a book it's like a magazine.
The writing itself seems interesting but I'm not even going to try to read it.
What an annoying book to try to read. I'm not finishing this. Can't change font size or color of the back ground, Instead of reading like a book it's like a magazine.
The writing itself seems interesting but I'm not even going to try to read it.
January 27, 2021
Be open to what the universe has in store for you
This book was an incredible respect from Everything else I have read in the last few years. Ellie was Frank And honest about herself and her feelings as she went along. I so enjoyed being on the trip of a lifetime with her
This book was an incredible respect from Everything else I have read in the last few years. Ellie was Frank And honest about herself and her feelings as she went along. I so enjoyed being on the trip of a lifetime with her
January 13, 2018
*** I read an advanced review copy of this book. ***
Big Red and her human twin Ellie go on a trip of a lifetime to the three Himalayan kingdoms of the Buddha in search of simplicity. Brought up Catholic, Ellie turned to Buddhism in rebellion of the perfection her childhood and marriage demanded. Yet Ellie was also a risk taker. As a child, she loved to roam: the older she grew, the farther she explored. She dreamt of trying new things, and no matter how long it took her, when she got the opportunity to chase one of her dreams, she grasped it, like the trip of a lifetime. She planned and primped for it. She methodically packed Big Red, her zippered, expanding suitcase almost her height and weight, for their 22-day trip together, ensuring Big Red held everything she would need in out-of-the-way places, like toilet paper and Permethrin, and everything that would let her continue her Western routine, like supplements and cute sandals.
There was only one problem with taking her entire material life with her on a journey in search of simplicity: she couldn't carry Big Red.
But that didn't deter Ellie, and despite getting lost at the start, Big Red found her. Wherever Ellie went in Bhutan, Nepal, Tibet, Big Red demanded to be dragged, hefted, carried, opened, and completely unpacked, no matter how short the stay.
Her relationship with Big Red made Ellie roll her eyes at herself while she self-deprecatingly tells us of her attachment to perfection and materialism in the midst of her hilariously chaotic west-meets-east trip of a lifetime. It is unusual for such a light, fun book to have thoughtful moments where the narrator exposes her weaknesses, her hypocrisies, her struggling quest for spiritual simplicity and lets the reader judge her -- or more likely think with her. And then immediately laugh with her as once again she wonders how she'll avoid the squat position until she can find relief in a proper Western bathroom.
While Big Red weighs her down, barking dogs follow her nights, and holes in the ground haunt her days, Ellie slowly finds times of peace in the pastoral landscapes, awe-inspiring yet informal temples, and grandeur of the Himalayan kingdoms. She takes us with her in her colourful descriptions. We’re usually alone when we read, but this is a book that blossoms when shared with others, when read aloud to each other as a way to dive in with Ellie to share our own quests and experiences.
This is a book that will make you chuckle, groan in sympathy, laugh out loud, ponder with Ellie, and make you smile in delight.
Big Red and her human twin Ellie go on a trip of a lifetime to the three Himalayan kingdoms of the Buddha in search of simplicity. Brought up Catholic, Ellie turned to Buddhism in rebellion of the perfection her childhood and marriage demanded. Yet Ellie was also a risk taker. As a child, she loved to roam: the older she grew, the farther she explored. She dreamt of trying new things, and no matter how long it took her, when she got the opportunity to chase one of her dreams, she grasped it, like the trip of a lifetime. She planned and primped for it. She methodically packed Big Red, her zippered, expanding suitcase almost her height and weight, for their 22-day trip together, ensuring Big Red held everything she would need in out-of-the-way places, like toilet paper and Permethrin, and everything that would let her continue her Western routine, like supplements and cute sandals.
There was only one problem with taking her entire material life with her on a journey in search of simplicity: she couldn't carry Big Red.
But that didn't deter Ellie, and despite getting lost at the start, Big Red found her. Wherever Ellie went in Bhutan, Nepal, Tibet, Big Red demanded to be dragged, hefted, carried, opened, and completely unpacked, no matter how short the stay.
Her relationship with Big Red made Ellie roll her eyes at herself while she self-deprecatingly tells us of her attachment to perfection and materialism in the midst of her hilariously chaotic west-meets-east trip of a lifetime. It is unusual for such a light, fun book to have thoughtful moments where the narrator exposes her weaknesses, her hypocrisies, her struggling quest for spiritual simplicity and lets the reader judge her -- or more likely think with her. And then immediately laugh with her as once again she wonders how she'll avoid the squat position until she can find relief in a proper Western bathroom.
While Big Red weighs her down, barking dogs follow her nights, and holes in the ground haunt her days, Ellie slowly finds times of peace in the pastoral landscapes, awe-inspiring yet informal temples, and grandeur of the Himalayan kingdoms. She takes us with her in her colourful descriptions. We’re usually alone when we read, but this is a book that blossoms when shared with others, when read aloud to each other as a way to dive in with Ellie to share our own quests and experiences.
This is a book that will make you chuckle, groan in sympathy, laugh out loud, ponder with Ellie, and make you smile in delight.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews