An Elephant Ate My Arm -- Laurie McAndish King

 An Elephant Ate My Arm: More true stories from a curious traveler by Laurie McAndish King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars Reviewed in The Berkeley Times 12 August, 2021. (c) Wyndy J. Knox Carr

Laurie McAndish King writes cogent, often gripping and dryly amusing or hilarious travel articles; but the subtitles hint at her depth, scientific eye and deeper meanings: As to the title story, she says On the ethics of riding a two-ton orphan; on a foodie spa visit, she adds Italian spirits raise existential questions. Not your normal brusquely bubbling travelogue fare. The kind of "curious" (and well-informed) "traveler" you'd really like to take a trip with!

       On an Earthwatch research program in the Trinidadian rain forest, “home to more than 400 species of birds…ocelots and monkeys, leatherback turtles and boa constrictors, anteaters, agouti and more,” a native guide with a “PhD in integrative biology” helps her readjust her values, cultural biases and experience the “beautiful, diverse ecosystem” that “exists for itself, not as a benefit for humans” under “the Milky Way cutting a sparkling swath through the darkness.” She always tells a good tale and often weaves an invisible magic spell, too.

      I’ve praised her “True Stories” before, but once again encourage those of us who want to be a “curious traveler” once the bans are lifted to enjoy Ms. McAndish King’s pieces. We can certainly love them if we're satisfied to stay armchair travelers with book budgets or library cards, too! The tales don't always "end up" where you think they're going to lead, and with McAndish King, that's generally a much broader and more profound journey. Stepping right in to the unexpected is often just exactly where she wants to go...    

Mayflower Memories: The Truth about Tisquantum, about her ancestors and how those Pilgrims eventually treated the Natives who kept them alive the first "Thanksgiving" and beyond; A Voyeur in Libya: A photographic invasion leads to indelible regret talking about casual American "tourist behavior" and At the foot of Uluru ("Ayers Rock"), where she makes a last-minute choice NOT to climb an Aboriginal sacred site are particularly timely and revealing. It's all in the traveler's perspective,  openness to the real differences: and hers are indeed very curious, flexible; often becoming wise. as well.

A good person making intelligent observations that encourage us to "first, do no harm." Listen and learn... What a relief! 

Is it time to contrast unconscious values, distorted histories and habitual privileges with inner, interpersonal, cultural and world peace? In an aware and balanced universe; “Yes.”


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