“Tourists can go to Prague, Norway, Ireland and Central America and learn nothing of a people’s struggles.  Or they can seek out opportunities to connect with people (whether professional guides or accidental guides) who can share perspective-changing stories.” – Rick Steves, ‘Travel As A Political Act’

I’m sure that Rick Steves’ superfans have already devoured this book; I’m writing this review for everyone else.   Give ‘Travel As  A Political Act’ a chance; you’ll be pleasantly surprised to see a different side to Rick Steves and some valuable advice about travel.  This book is a love story by a person who succumbed to the travel bug early on and never let go, and it’s filled with the heart of why many of us travel – the wonder and learning about others, and the ‘aha’ that follows about ourselves.

As Rick talks about stepping into someone else’s world and seeing it through their eyes, his book is filled with the people he’s met, what he asked, what they replied, and what he learned.  It’s a journey again and again from curiosity to confusion to insight.  For Rick, travel is more than a chance to relax and see new sights.  It’s a chance to learn about other people and as a side benefit learn more about yourself.  Anything less and you haven’t tapped into the true value of travel.  Rick agrees that not everybody wants that – and not everybody is ready for that – but makes clear the opportunity is there and for the asking.  And he emphasizes just how meaningful the experience can be.

Reading ‘Travel As A Political Act’ made me recall my first trip to Poland.  I’d learned a lot about the country from Polish friends, but before I left a friend who’d said very little to me about Poland gave me her advice.  She said, “To understand Poland you have to taste the bread.”   I knew what she meant, and during my trip I dissuaded well-intentioned guides from showing me what ‘Americans like to see’.  I experienced life in Poland as a non-tourist.  It didn’t take much coaxing; anyone guiding me around was visibly relieved, and we had fun simply doing what they wanted – or needed – to do that day.  Years later, I remember every instance of that visit, every place I saw, even the temperature of the day, the quality of the light.  The memories are vivid.  It changed what I thought about Poland, and it changed what I thought about myself.

This is what Rick Steves is telling us in his book, using his own experiences and memories as the valuable lesson.  So, thank you Rick for sharing those thoughts and conversations with us.  You’ve made us look at you in a new way, encouraged us to consider travel in a new way, and to anticipate the rewards this can bring.  Great job.