A great many people dream of traveling around the world, either before college or right
after graduation.
College friends Susan Jane Gilman and Claire Van Houten (not her real name) set off on
their world-wide adventure by heading to the People's Republic of China in 1986. Since
there were no flights from the United States into China, they first had to travel to Hong
Kong and navigate their way to Mainland China from there. The plan was to travel rough,
armed with a budget travel book called
Southeast
Asia on a Shoestring, along with Susan's dog-eared copy of
Linda
Goodman's Sun Signs.
Before too long, the enormity of the perils facing them becomes all too apparent. They
don't speak the native language, don't know how to count the currency, what to eat or how
to find a decent place to sleep. Everything is so different from the United States. Poverty
is rampant, and they find themselves gawked at, with their round eyes and pale skin.
Susan and Claire persevere and even manage to make some friendly acquaintances. Both
young women survive terrifying illness and fever, homesickness and fear. Yet Claire
withdraws more and more from her friend, and often takes off on a bicycle on her own to
do what she calls "research." Claire comes from a very wealthy family and begins to
mention quite frequently that the FBI, CIA and terrorist groups may be after them. She
claims to have some secret knowledge that she cannot share with Susan.
The adventures and exploits are fascinating to read about. I felt as if I was right
there with them at times, and found that I was reassured to be able to look around my own
house and be safely home instead of in the dangers that they faced every day. Susan Jane
Gilman has done a marvelous job of recounting their travels, the emotions that swelled,
the scenery and the food, all with vivid detail.
I really enjoyed this book very much, and believe it would be a wonderful read for both
men and women, for people interested in the culture of China in the 1980's, for biography
lovers, and for adults of all ages. Bravo Susan Jane Gilman! This book is a treasure!