A novel captures essence that is not possible in any other form.

All politicians, even the most idealistic ones, are looking for money, sucking up to rich people.

Is there any point in going across the world to eat something or buy something or watch people squatting among their ruins? Travel is a state of mind. It has nothing to do with distance or the exotic. It is almost entirely an inner experience.

I'm constantly running across people who have never heard of books I think they should read.

Travel is at its most rewarding when it ceases to be about your reaching a destination and becomes indistinguishable from living your life

Travel works best when you're forced to come to terms with the place you're in.

Although I'm not fluent in sign language by a long way, I could have a fairly decent conversation.