I have a firm belief that if I had Paul Bowles as a travel guide in North Africa or Central America - I will die! Can you imagine getting in a cab with him? Yikes!

But while you are taking your bath and reading these fantastic travel essays - then you are perfectly safe. Bowles is superb. His descriptions of the landscapes, cultures, and people in those regions are so vivid and detailed that they seem to come alive right before your eyes.

You can almost smell the spices in the air, feel the heat of the sun, and hear the sounds of the bustling markets. His writing style is engaging and captivating, making it impossible to put down his essays once you start reading.

Whether you are an armchair traveler or someone who dreams of visiting these places one day, Paul Bowles' travel essays are a must-read. They will transport you to another world and give you a unique perspective on the beauty and diversity of North Africa and Central America.

The book promises to transport the reader to exotic places from a Western perspective, and indeed, this is fulfilled. It is a book to be hypnotized by the descriptions of various locations where the protagonist finds himself, such as Sri Lanka, Turkey, Morocco, the Sahara Desert, and Algeria.

It is very comforting and pleasant to read these pages that are full of details about what the cities, people, smells, colors, and cultures presented in the book are like. However, although reading all this is truly enriching, it is true that personally I have missed a more forceful narrative plot. That is, on numerous occasions I have found myself reading the lines a little more hastily, looking for a thread of action or events; yet, I was aware that my attempts were unsuccessful, for this is a book to contemplate the environments to which we are transported, not to focus our attention on the actions of the characters.

Therefore, the reader must keep very much in mind that the description is the protagonist of this book. It must be said that the linguistics and writing are exquisite, but, in my opinion, the lack of a solid plot to which one can latch on and about which one can feel curiosity is the greatest defect of this work. For this very reason, at times its reading becomes long.

I recommend this book to people interested in peacefully enjoying the warmth of the East and North Africa, taking into account what I have expressed.

Truth is not what you perceive with your senses, but what you feel in your heart.

Immediately upon arriving in the Sahara, whether it's your first or tenth time, you become acutely aware of the stillness. Outside the towns, an incredible, absolute silence reigns supreme. And within the towns, even in bustling places like the markets, there is a hushed quality to the air, as if the quiet were a conscious force that resents the intrusion of sound and promptly minimizes and disperses it. Then there is the sky, in comparison to which all other skies seem like faint-hearted efforts. Solid and luminous, it is always the focal point of the landscape. At sunset, the precise, curved shadow of the earth rises into it swiftly from the horizon, dividing it into a light section and a dark section. When all daylight has vanished and the space is thick with stars, it remains an intense and burning blue, darkest directly overhead and paling toward the earth, so that the night never truly grows dark. You leave the gate of the fort or the town behind, pass the camels lying outside, ascend into the dunes, or venture out onto the hard, stony plain and stand there for a while, alone. Presently, you will either shiver and hurry back inside the walls, or you will continue to stand there and allow something very peculiar to happen to you, something that everyone who lives there has experienced and which the French call le baptême de la solitude. It is a unique sensation, and it has nothing to do with loneliness, for loneliness presupposes memory. Here, in this entirely mineral landscape illuminated by stars like flares, even memory disappears; nothing is left but your own breathing and the sound of your heart beating. A strange, and by no means pleasant, process of reintegration begins within you, and you have the choice of fighting against it and insisting on remaining the person you have always been, or letting it take its course. For no one who has stayed in the Sahara for a while is quite the same as when they came.

Their Heads Are Green And Their Hands Are Blue (1963) is a remarkable collection of essays about travel by Paul Bowles.

Bowles has an extraordinary gift for sharing his keen observations about travel in places that are not typically frequented by tourists. He delves deep into the cultures and exposes the fascinating aspects of the people who inhabit the obscure locations he visits.

"Fish Traps and Private Business" details his travels in Sri Lanka (Ceylon), a place where he once had a residence. He provides an overview of the rich culture and diverse religions of North Africa, including Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria. Travel in India is explored in "Notes Mailed at Nagercoil."

One of the most captivating pieces is his portrayal of the average Moslem in "Mustapha and His Friends," where Bowles suggests that this way of life is on the verge of disappearing in the near future. Another interesting portrait is of a Moroccan character in "A Man Must Not Be Very Moslem," whom Bowles brings to Turkey to assist him in navigating the country.

Bowles was not only a talented writer but also a composer. While living in Morocco, he made efforts to record and preserve the folk music of the region. In "The Rif, to Music," he recalls his time traveling around, attempting to capture the beautiful music. Bowles celebrates the solitude of the desert in "Baptism Of Solitude" and reveals his appreciation of parrots as pets in "All Parrots Speak." The final essay, "The Route to Tassemsit," is yet another record of his endeavors to preserve the local folk music.

All in all, this collection of essays is both enlightening and entertaining, offering a glimpse into places that one might like to travel to, although perhaps not in the rustic manner that Bowles did.

Unlike Steinbeck, Bowles is perhaps not the kind of person I would have desired to know or journey with in reality.

For instance, at one point he mentions having eighteen suitcases, and I find myself thinking, seriously? Did I read that correctly? He writes as if he is a fearless traveler, yet that single detail makes me question whether he might simply be another type of white imperialist traveler, which completely contradicts his writing.

There is undeniably extremely poetic writing within these pages, but the collection as a whole was too fragmented for me to truly relish as a travel narrative.

It seems that while Bowles may have had some remarkable experiences and a talent for expressing them in a beautiful way, the overall structure and coherence of the collection left something to be desired.

Perhaps if the stories had been more tightly woven together or if there had been a stronger overarching theme, I would have been able to engage with it more fully.

As it stands, however, it remains an interesting but ultimately somewhat frustrating read.

The most remarkable aspect of Bowls's travel essays lies in the unique ways he employs language. His sensibilities as a composer seem to transport the reader's mind to an entirely different land. Bowls was renowned for his bold travels, yet he approaches the lands with both compassion and humor. For instance, when he describes the pre-extremist Muslim chanters, whose law prohibits music and thus their chants must not exceed a range of four notes. However, he remarks that they manage to reach every half note in between. This shows his keen observation and ability to find the interesting and often overlooked details in different cultures. His writing style not only provides a vivid account of his travels but also offers a deeper understanding and appreciation of the diverse world we live in.

Even if you aren't traveling in a Muslim (or non-Christian country), it is still worthwhile to read these essays.

If you have a longing for a good perspective into the mind of an expat writer who is grappling with his Western understanding of the non-Western world, these essays can provide that.

The pieces on Morocco are truly remarkable. In particular, "Africa Minor" and "The Rif, to Music" stand out.

It is utterly fascinating to observe how Bowles oscillates from orientalist stereotyping to a deep and profound desire to understand, grasp, and respect the culture of North Africa.

This is especially evident as he narrates his arduous quest to record native music from every nook and corner of Morocco.

His journey not only reveals the rich and diverse musical heritage of the region but also his own evolving perception and appreciation of the Moroccan culture.

These essays offer a unique and valuable insight into the complex relationship between the Western and non-Western worlds as seen through the eyes of an expat writer.

The statement "...belonging to the group without faith, they are thereby forced to hate the past..." presents an interesting perspective. It implies that those who lack faith may have a complex relationship with their history. Without the guiding force of faith, they might struggle to come to terms with and embrace the events and traditions of the past.

On a different note, the mention of an "Entertaining read about Morocco and experiencing Muslims" sounds like a fascinating travel book. Such a book could offer readers a unique opportunity to explore the rich culture and traditions of Morocco through the eyes of a traveler. By experiencing the lives of Muslims in Morocco, readers can gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of their beliefs, values, and way of life.

Overall, both the thought-provoking statement about faith and the promise of an engaging travel book make for an interesting and diverse topic of discussion. Whether one is interested in exploring the relationship between faith and history or embarking on a virtual journey to Morocco, there is much to discover and learn.

Maratona de leituras Bowles para um artigo sobre Tanger

A maratona de leituras Bowles é uma excelente oportunidade para se aprofundar na cidade de Tanger.

Tanger é uma localidade fascinante, cheia de história e cultura.

Através da leitura, podemos descobrir suas origens, sua importância estratégica ao longo dos séculos e as influências que marcaram sua trajetória.

Podemos conhecer as diferentes épocas que Tanger passou, desde a ocupação romana até a sua atualidade como uma cidade moderna e cosmopolita.

A leitura nos permite explorar as paisagens, os monumentos e as tradições locais, tornando-nos mais sensíveis às particularidades dessa região.

Além disso, a maratona de leituras Bowles nos possibilita compartilhar nossas descobertas e opiniões com outros leitores, ampliando nossa visão e compreensão sobre Tanger.

Em resumo, a maratona de leituras Bowles é uma experiência enriquecedora que nos ajuda a conhecer melhor a cidade de Tanger e sua rica herança.

Bowles held the belief that prior to the twentieth century, the non-western world was in a state of purity and innocence. He thought that it was only in recent times that it had embarked on a regrettable path of corruption and westernization. Looking back from our current perspective, it is rather easy to see how silly his观点 was. However, it is also understandable to forgive him considering that he was writing during the midst of a worldwide revolution. This short collection of essays is filled with passion and a spirit of adventure. It has truly left me feeling quite jealous. I envy the author's ability to express such strong emotions and explore new ideas in these essays. The writing is engaging and thought-provoking, making it a captivating read.