Customer Reviews

Dreaming of Jupiter

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I enjoyed Jupiter's Travels more than this but it's a good read never-the-less. I was interested in how a 69 year old could handle a trip like this and he gives only a little insight into this. Mostly he dwells on the changes that have taken place in stops he made 20 years ago.

I read (and re-read) Jupiter's Travels pretty much when it came out in the 1970s. This is a very fine follow-up - and hard to put down - (good enough to loan to my literary friend), that just goes to show that it's ok to be human.

To turn 70 on the path taken 30 years earlier that made him famous is a perfect setting. I am only halfway through this book and Ted is seemingly putting the sun down on his epic journeys once and for all. What does that mean?, I am not sure but have really enjoyed the ride and feel more prepared than I ever could be to roll with life, and to kick start it if need be.
Thanks Ted, I calculate you are in your 80's now. Can I still camp on your front yard when passing your way?

Ted Simon is one of the people I blame for having left my home country (Germany) to look around the world, which then resulted in not going back to Germany but taking a job with an international organization, moving across the world, settling in an African country and call it home after finding my wife and starting a family.
I have to thank him for that....

I always yearned to pick one of my bikes and follow his example, even if only limited to travelling up and down the African continent.
It was fun reading his newest account of his travels in which he confirms my suspicion that the hustle at the borders, fight for visa, trouble with corrupt officials and dangerous traffic somewhat took the fun out of the travelling by road.
Maybe I have to thank him for this easy excuse, too..

I was somewhat surprised reading that Ted was not smarter when dealing with some of the officials in some of the 'unfinished countries' especially when he is chasing a schedule that involves meeting with film crews flying in from abroad. I think he would be smarter than 'p....ng off officialdom and then worry about not making the deadlines. Probably a sign that one turns grumpy when turning old.
Probably another excuse I can use...

After all, the new book is an interesting read, not much of an advice for travelers, but a confirmation for those of us who believe that we, the human race, are slowly but surely killing the planet. Since he has a first hand comparison between then and now, it is sad to see my own observations confirmed and not only for Africa.

I first read Jupiter's Travels and could not put the book down. Great human adventure from the seat of a motorcycle. Dreaming of Jupiter is a good follow-up to Jupiter's Travels but not as exciting. Recommend that you read Jupiter's Travels first.