Confessions of an Ignorant Traveler

"Bob Corley lived the adventure many of us wish we had experienced: backpacking through Europe and the Middle East in his mid 20s. This is the story of those travels, told through the contemporaneous journal he kept in 1971-72.

Confessions of An Ignorant Traveler is full of insight from the perspective of a 22-year-old as well as reflections provided by a thoughtful, and now seasoned traveler looking back 55 years later. In October 1971, after arriving at an early stop in Braunschweig, Germany, Corley writes: “I would like to meet more people, but I really find it hard to initiate a conversation due to shyness, language barrier, and just plain scared of being rebuked and laughed at” (p. 32). It’s an honest expression of the challenges we all face when stepping out of our comfort zone, especially as a young person out to see the world. He takes us through his travels to countries including The Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Yugoslavia, and Israel where he lived and worked on a kibbutz for 7 months. The book provides a fascinating account and offers much more than just a travel memoir.

The strengths of the book, in addition to Corley's writing, include the creative design which highlights artifacts of the trip, maps of his route, and the lists he made as a young man planning his trip. It also includes the lyrics to some of Corley’s original songs that were inspired by his travels. This book will appeal to a broad audience, including readers who have had (or wished to have) their own transformative journeys; young travelers wondering what to expect on prospective overseas adventures; and experienced travelers who wish to reflect on how they have been shaped by their own travels, both completed and still to come.

As the author says, if you love traveling, the next best thing is reading about someone else’s travel adventures with the kind of rich detail that travelers relish. I read this in one sitting, quite taken with just how the author’s “trip of a lifetime” was life changing. The journal on which his book is based was clearly written as though confiding to a best friend about the ups and downs of a significant trip, taken solo. So much practical advice here, including his six rules for your own trip of a lifetime, all very applicable today. Especially love the final chapter about his daughter’s current adventure in Greece as a digital nomad. I recommend this book highly, whether you are contemplating a trip of a lifetime or cherishing anew a similar travel experience.

A good read: Light-hearted, soulful, and thoughtful! Especially liked the section dealing with Corley’s stay on a Kibbutz in Israel. I will never think of chickens and bananas in the same way again!

After thirty-seven and a half years in the travel business, I found this book presents the true adventurous side of personal travel as a life lesson experience. This story is an examination of courageous travel, breaking away from familiar and comfortable surroundings to experience true independence with a commitment to exploring on your own and never giving up. Taking time to enjoy the difference in language, customs and culture is something few travelers understand. Traveling like you never left home is not the point for this trail blazer. This book presents a refreshing perception on how to best negotiate any travel obstacle by adapting and move on with what you just learned. Now retired, at 74 years of age, I connected with this traveler who had the determination to do what so many of us talked and dreamed of doing back in 1971; but we didn't. We let something deter us, and you will come to face your decision for not jumping into the unknown and develop an appreciation for what this lone traveler accomplished. If you didn't take this personal plunge into the unknown, then take time to enjoy reading about how and why someone else DID.

I found that the book brought back memories of my first journey to Europe in 1972. The author went in October 1971, when many in their 20s many the journey by themselves or in small groups. Wow, it was difficult in the 70s to travel in Europe, but very inexpensive. He journaled all of his travels in Europe and to the Middle East, which many of us should have done. You will find his journal entries remarkable with great details, but he has added comments to explain the history and background of his visits, but also things that he missed seeing and experiencing. You will find this a unique guide to assist you and others to make sure to learn the historical facts of the area in which you might visit in the future. As he mentioned, there was no European Union in the 70s which caused you to have to exchange currency in almost every country and also possibly obtain an entrance visa. I recommend your reading this book especially if you made a trip to Europe in the late 60s and 70s. It will bring back memories! It did for me.