Animals, Adventures, & Books--Oh my!

I haven't managed any trips recently, but this week, inspired by J.K. Rowling's new book, I began rereading "Harry Potter"--which is like a little vacation to childhood. "Harry Potter" then made me think back to other fun adventure stories from my elementary school years like the adorable (but probably not PETA approved) movie, "The Adventures of Milo and Otis." Remember Milo and Otis?

Chocolate bunny holding a sign that reads "on strike." From the 2008 strikes in Strasbourg France.

A book I read recently, "The Year of the Hare," is a similarly whimsical adventure story about animals (OK, an animal and a man) aimed at an older audience. Written by Arto Paasilinna, "The Year of the Hare," was republished for an American audience at the end of 2010. It's a lovely book about a journalist, Vatanen, who quits his job and leaves his wife to nurse an injured hare back to health while they travel Finland. Though the premise is simple and the book a quick read, Paasilinna manages to to fill the few pages with many insights, intelligent metaphor, and adventure.

Pico Iyer wrote an amusing and characteristically sapient review of "The Year of the Hare" in December of 2010:

"Which of us has not entertained that deliciously seditious notion: to do a Gauguin? To slip away for a while from everything that sounds so important—a steady job, a settled home, a regular salary—and go off in search of adventure, restoration, fun?...When Mr. Paasilinna's novel appears in this country for the first time next month, it might just prove the perfect way into the actual Year of the Hare, which begins, according to many an Eastern calendar, in January."

What adventure or travel stories/books have you been reading? 


Share on Tumblr

Armchair Travel Tuesdays

Arthur's Seat                                                          

All of my favorite blogs are posting about the coziness of fall, but here in Northern California it's still over 90 degrees! I too am really looking forward to wearing a few more layers and riding my bike without looking like a wet mop by the time I arrive at my destination. To me, Scotland is one place that lives and breathes cozy. I love its dusty skies, good tea, pretending to enjoy its throat-warming (and burning) whisky, and swoon-inducing accents--à la James McAvoy. Just the thought of Edinburgh makes me want to curl up with some tartan blankets and read Alexander McCall Smith (McCall Smith is the brilliant scottish author of The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency and so much more). 

View of Princes Street from Edinburgh Castle

Pretty Edinburgh doors

My Scotland-fever began a few weeks ago when I watched two British movies in a row and started to long for the striking green hills. The first film was The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down A Mountain--starring a very young, glossy-haired Hugh Grant in a Welsh town--and the other was The Decoy Bride--starring the endearing David Tennant of the Doctor Who fame. The Decoy Bride was filmed in Glasgow and on the Isle of Man (but takes place on a fictional Scottish island called Hegg). Despite what the BBC said about the movie, and even if you're not a Tennant fan, the accents and gorgeous landscape make it more than enjoyable.

View from Arthur's Seat

Another view from Arthur's Seat

I've been lucky enough to visit Scotland once. I traveled to Edinburgh two years ago with one of my best friends from college and stayed with a friend who was studying at the University there. I had a fabulous time sipping tea, eating scones, and not drinking whisky straight out of the bottle with my friend's dorm mates. I was there around Burns day and you could smell the haggis on every block, however, I wasn't feeling adventurous enough to try it or the vegetarian version.

I did however partake in "brews"--communal tea drinking breaks where people bring their own mugs and teas to share--some whiskey drinking (out of my own glass), and the usual touristy stuff. We hiked Arthur's Seat, brunched at the Elephant House--the "birthplace of Harry Potter"--and danced in a Ceilidh (pronounced kay-lee) with men in kilts. I would love to go back and see the countryside and after reading McCall Smith's 44 Scotland Street series I feel like I know the streets of Edinburgh even better now.

What places have you been itching to visit or revisit? Or where have you been visiting via your TV, books, or computer?

Want more Scotland?

• Beautiful photos of fall in Scotland (via Fergie & Fife)
• Anthropology has a great Scottish themed Pinterest board 
• Scones, Shortbread, and tea, oh my!
• Tartan blankets
• IMDb's guide to Scottish movies 
• A history of tartan and Glasgow and Edinburgh city guides from DesignSponge

Share on Tumblr