The Wayward Tourist is our next read. It is a Melbazon University Press release and is actually an excerpt of the Australian portion of a larger travelogue 'Following The Equator'. I got my copy at Hill Of Content. It came signed by Don Watson who wrote a very nice intro. I think I got the last copy there but it should be available at Dymocks in Collins Street. I think we should also consider trying to read a book at some stage by someone with a bigger mo. Thankfully I am quite partial to Nietzsche.
Samuel Clemens was practically bankrupt in 1894 due to a failed investment into a "revolutionary" typesetting machine. In an attempt to extricate himself from debt of $100,000 (equivalent of about $2 million in 2005) he undertook a tour of the British Empire in 1895, a route chosen to provide numerous opportunities for lectures in the English language. Luckily for iRateBooks this included Australia.
We are meeting aboard a paddle steamer, May 9th at Echuca, in our continuing effort to deliver experientially aligned locales. Mark Twain was a riverboat pilot for a few years on the Mississippi. We shall make do with the Murray.
How can one not quote Mark Twain?
“Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest.”
I'm going to give this a go.
2 comments:
I am really really enjoying this. I've read Darwin's travelogue from Australia from 50 years earlier so this is a nice update and contrast. I wonder who the person who provided Sam with the quote, "God made the harbour, but Satan made Sydney" was?
I also really enjoyed the Adelaide section, and it helped me understand why people in Melbourne do look at me weirdly sometimes.
I got beat with the echuca schtick as a youth; hence the way I am.
1. Drive up friday night approx 5.30pm. We can all fit in my car and I can leave it at Ben's house on friday morning so we can depart from there friday night if convenient.
2. Stay at Mick's parents house at 62 Francis Street Echuca. I believe Rachel has something in mind for dinner?
3. Sat morn - free time to enjoy the sounds and sights. Numerous quaint shoppes to enjoiye.
4. paddelsteamer ride apprx 3pm for discussion of book - duration apprx one hour
5. retire to nearby establishmente for further discussion (if necessary) or general chit chat around open fire hopefully cradling glasses of wine
6. back to mine to cook dinner and raid wine cellar.
7. Return to Melbazon sunday morn.
Apportionment of (but not limited to) tasks. Suggestions/contributions welcome:
Jason: Paddlesteamer captain. leading ahead with discussion. Toot tooot.
Ben and Mick. Chief food wankers. hearty country fare for saturday night.
Rach: Friday evening's domestic goddess
Phoebe and Wilbur, Caz: excellent company
Em: sadly missed
Terry and Alison: Mick's parents and gracious hosts. slightly deaf.
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