Travel to South America

Eight Feet in the Andes: Travels with a Mule in Unknown Peru

Format: Paperback
Author: Dervla Murphy
ReleaseDate: 01 April, 2006
Publisher: John Murray
Rating:

Another insightful journey by Dervla Murphy
The little family traces Pizarro's route through Peru from Cajamarca to Cuzco. In true Dervla-style, this book logs her journey through the Andes with her young daughter and a mule. Dervla's ability to live so simply, and quite frankly endure such hardships, never ceases to amaze me. Her daughter, Rachel, shares that same talent. As with her other books, she paints a realistic picture of the country; the good, bad, beautiful, and ugly. Ever empathetic and never judgemental, she describes the land, people, villages as well as economic/political situations in an easygoing style. .

not at all boring, believe it or not
The Misses Murphy are not only intrepid explorers (lunatic also applies, as Ms. It's a travelogue, after all, how good can it be? Very good, actually. Murphy herself notes), but excellent observers. I suppose that is why she gets published. "Eight Feet" is not only funny but educational, and cannot help but kindle wanderlust in the reader. Best read episodically (think every night before bed) because that is how it is written, one travels with them by sharing in the emotional triumphs and tribulations. While her nature descriptions are evocative, one really connects with the more human aspects of the journey. I can only try to imagine the rivers and mountains, and it took me half the book to grasp what 'puna' referred to geographically. Banks, thievery, and rumbling bellies are in abundance, however, and are what make this book worth reading. The same holds true for "Where the Indus is Young" and, I imagine, the rest of her books. When I've read them, I'll let you know!.

The REAL rough guide to Peru!
The vistas she conjurs up in this book are breathtaking. Dervla Murphy is definitely a one of a kind treasure. The hardships she endured are more than most of would care to experience in our travels. Still, it's a great armchair experience! (This review has migrated from its proper location. It is for the book Eight Feet in the Andes by Dervla Murphy. ).

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