It's Only the Himalayas: And Other Tales of Miscalculation from an Overconfident Backpacker

by S. Bedford

Overview

A laugh-out-loud travel memoir that reveals backpacking’s awkward side.

Sue, a disenchanted waitress, embarks upon a year-long quest around the world with her friend, Sara—who’s exasperatingly perfect. Expecting a whimsical jaunt of self-discovery, Sue instead encounters an absurd series of misadventures that render her embarrassed, terrified, and queasy (and in a lot of trouble with Philippine Airlines).

Whether she’s fleeing from ravenous lions, dancing amid smoking skulls, trekking Annapurna underprepared, or (accidentally) drugging an Englishman, Sue’s quick-witted, self-deprecating narrative might just inspire you to take your own chaotic adventure.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781927366486
Publisher:	TouchWood Editions
Publication date:	04/05/2016
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	224
File size:	974 KB

About the Author

S. Bedford is an indie backpacker who has accidentally locked herself in the bathroom in over fifty countries. She calls Vancouver, Canada home base, and It's Only the Himalayas is her first book.

Editorial Reviews

05/09/2016
In a hilarious travelogue for a social media generation—with "Just think of the Facebook status!" inspiring some daring adventures—Bedford, a 20-something waitress from Toronto, starts her story out slowly, building drama and suspense until she reaches the wild, drunken climax in Southeast Asia. Readers accompany her on a yearlong trek with her best friend, Sara, on African safaris, into reality-shaking India, and to the Himalayas (where their fathers join them). The pair make a number of questionable decisions and mistakes during their journey, and Bedford has an admirable ability to deftly make even the grossest moment engrossing, though her narrative might not inspire readers to hit the road: "It wasn't until I was puking my guts out in a teahouse with the architectural stability of a Jenga game that I felt like a true backpacker." The denouement, however, is nonexistent, and after following Bedford and Sara's soul-searching, readers will wonder which directions they take after they return home. At one point, Bedford muses, "Perhaps I was looking for answers in the wrong places," leaving the door open for another journey. If it is anything like this trip, it'll be worth reading too. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly

An honest, funny and fresh take about backpacking, which most of us who have hit the backpackers’ trail can relate to. Ideal for a light read for those long bus or train trips.” —Backpackers

“An entertaining look at those post-graduation backpacking trips so many of us have taken . . . Despite some moments that may alarm parents, this is a charming book that inspires the spirit of adventure and longing to travel no matter your age.” —y.a.m. magazine

“S. Bedford brings a fresh voice to travel writing, one that is funny, observant, and original.” —Outpost

The UK's World of Cruising magazine includes Bedford's memoir as one of six must pack travel reads.

It's Only the Himalayas is one of Bustle's Eleven Books to Kick off Your Summer of Travel

Online travel magazine Out of Town interviews Bedford about lessons she's learned on the road, which destinations are still on her bucket list, and her favourite experiences in the Philippines.

"A hilarious travelogue for the social media generation. . ." -Publishers Weekly

Huffington Post Travel suggests you pack It's Only the Himalayas in your carryon this summer.

Bedford shares her three most ridiculous moments while backpacking with The Poor Traveler blog.

Chapter 2 of It's Only the Himalayas, cleverly titled "Life is an Uphill Battle or Getting High with Dad," describes Bedford's trek to Annapurna Base Camp in Nepal, for which she was joined by her father. The pair celebrate Father's Day by reliving their adventure for All Lit Up.

The Expeditioner names It's Only the Himalayas one of Five New Travel Books to Take on Your Next Vacation.

Check out La Carte magazine for an excerpt of Bedford's adventures in Africa.

Listen in as S. Bedford talks the importance of never giving up, how to get into writing and how to communicate across cultures with Tayo Rockson of As Told By Nomads.

From the Publisher

The New York Times describes It's Only the Himalayas as the tale of "a Canadian waitress who swears like a fishwife goes on holiday to Boracay."

New York Times