Two of his other works – Coyote in the Mountains & Cheerleaders from Gomorrah are cleverly crafted collections of fictional short stories set in a resort town of the Rocky Mountains. Though disguised in name, quite clearly the Ketchum and Sun Valley area of his birth. These western fables examine the new west as mythology through brightly lit characters and locations. Anyone who has spent time living in a mountain or ski resort will certainly recognize some of the people between these pages.

The biography on his personal site lists him as Writer-at-Large at Albertson College of Idaho in Caldwell and a teacher at the Pacific University MFA program in Forest Grove, Oregon. He is also a contributing columnist for The Idaho Mountain Express and semi-regular speaker at The Community Library in Ketchum, ID.

John Rember.Com
John Rember search @ Idaho Mountain Express

John Rember books at Amazon:
Traplines: Coming Home to Sawtooth Valley
Coyote in the Mountains and Other Stories
Cheerleaders from Gomorrah: Tales from the Lycra Archipelago

Originally published at GoodIdaho.com : Idaho Authors Feature – John Rember

The Peoples Guide to Mexico holds a place of honor amongst the collection of adventure books upon my shelf. It is a book both practical & charming, informative & entertaining, useful whether in Mexico or far from it’s borders.

I came across my first copy at the used book store when I was 18, two years later I was speeding down Baja Mexico’s Pacific coast in my Landcruiser with camping gear bursting from the seams, hair blowing in the wind and a stack of cassettes singing songs from the stereo. A few days after that – upon a crescent beach under starry skies, red snapper sizzling on the fire and an icy cold Tecate being handed me by new-found traveling companions, I realized I had arrived. My first great adventure in a foreign land had begun.

The People’s Guide had convinced me that travel in Mexico could be done safely, economically, and with flexibility no matter the mode of transport or choice of destination. Created by author/editor duo Carl Franz & Lorena Havens, the book has now reached it’s thirty- sixth anniversary having been updated and reprinted through thirteen editions, the most recent being in 2006.

Not so much a guide of where to eat or sleep – it is really a how-to, chock full of advice on traveling, camping, food, language, equipment, health, red-tape, customs & superstitions, laws, bartering and much more. Interspersed amongst all the useful advice are excellent stories, anecdotes & illustrations which really round out the content and share the viewpoint of the authors now long lifetime of living and traveling in Mexico. Carl Franz is a great storyteller, very amusing and obviously his work is a labor of love.

Contemporary critics claim that Mexico is neither as safe or as cheap as the book claims. Obviously economies fluctuate and Mexico has steadily developed as a globally known tourist destination since the first edition was written, but danger and high prices of course can be found anywhere in the world. My personal view is that an open mind and common sense will always be some of greatest assets for a traveler and this book is a great resource to foster those attributes.

Mexico is a country of incredible diversity, populated mostly by honest, curious, friendly & family-oriented folks (in my experience). If you haven’t been or are contemplating going back I highly recommend this book to give you a sense of what you might be in for. Revisiting it certainly has gotten me thinking….now where did I leave that straw hat and bottle opener…

As the book’s motto says – “Wherever you go….there you are!”
Enjoy.

The People’s Guide to Mexico (Peoples Guide to Mexico)

Carl Franz Profile & Blog at Amazon
The People’s Guide Official Site

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In 1973 Ted Simon left England on his Triumph motorcycle. Beginning a four year – 78,000 mile journey around the world. In the length of his travels he passed through 45 countries, across oceans, through mountains, jungles & deserts. This book chronicles the dizzying heights and terrifying lows as he explores landscapes of natural wonder, fear and triumphs & the varied human nature of the many people he encounters across the globe.

This is a great book. Ted Simon relates the course of his travels with charm, humor, and introspection. The reader, sitting on the seat of the motorcycle with him will learn something about the many places visited and gets to share in the journey of personal growth as he examines himself and his relation to the world around him.

Jupiter’s Travels: Four Years Around the World on a Triumph

Ted Simon’s Website: Jupitalia

Ted is cited as an inspiration for Ewan McGregor during he and Charlie Boorman’s 19,000 mile cross-country motorcycle trek in 2004. Their travels were chronicled in a television series, video series on DVD & book entitled ‘Long Way Round’. They met up with Ted in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, during their trip.

Long Way Round: The Illustrated Edition: Chasing Shadows Across the World

See also:Adventure Motorcycling Handbook, 5th: Worldwide Motorcycling Route & Planning Guide (Trailblazer)

via adventurebookshelf.com