New cycle-touring book to read :-)

Unleashed in New Zealand some five months ago, Llamas and Empanadas is now available to the rest of the world through the wonderful medium of the internet! Hoorah.
It's a personal account of a 5,500 kilometre bike tour through South America that I made in 2004, visiting Argentina, Chile and Bolivia. I never actually planned to write a book, but when I returned home, sun-blistered and brain-frazzled, I started typing and just couldn't stop.
Writing Llamas and Empanadas turned out to be equally as challenging and satisfying as the cycle-tour it describes. The one notable difference being that I got fatter rather than thinner along the way :-)

Below is a link to the Penguin website where you can read a bit about it.

http://www.penguin.co.nz/afa.asp?idW...&SID=858711552

and you can order it here:

http://www.amazon.ca/Llamas-Empanada...8469337&sr=1-1

And if you want to see more photos from the trip, go here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/eleanor...7600258178818/

I hope you enjoy reading it,
eleanor meecham
x

I'm currently reading this, and enjoying it! :D

Wow, congratulations! Gorgeous photos.
The Amazon page could use a description of what the book is about somewhere.

Great to see a book like this come out. :) :)

Eleanor,

Just wanted to say that I just finished reading your book a couple of days ago and it was wonderful beyond words. I am headed on a solo cycling trip in Patagonia (Lake District->Carretera Austral -> Tierra del Fuego) in a little over a month and your book just confirmed for me that it is completely what I want to do; I've traveled a fair amount in SA and your stories so often resonated with my own experience, people telling me I was crazy, flirtatious locals (in spite of often great stench), and the good people everywhere (not to mention the facturas!)

I'm so glad to see that your book is available more locally to the states now; I ordered it from NZ and it was $US45 including postage...well worth it though. It was more difficult to have to wait for it to arrive! I'm planning to get another copy to share with friends since I don't want mine going missing.

Speaking of which, I was so sorry to read that your bike got stolen! I would be absolutely heartbroken.

Thanks for sharing your story, it was a joy to read.

Anne

I read your article in Spoke. Looked like an amazing trip. Just waiting for Borders to email me a discount voucher for non-fiction. ;)

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Originally Posted by onimity

Thanks for sharing your story, it was a joy to read.

Anne

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Hi Anne, apologies for the delay in replying, but thank you so much for your kind comments. It's more satisfying than I could ever have imagined to hear that people are enjoying the book. An added bonus that I really hadn't anticipated.
Good luck with your Chilean trip! I'm sure you'll have a fabulous time. Just don't forget a really good rainjacket and lots of spare brake pads :-)
Will you be keeping an online travel diary? I'd love to read it to offset the stagnation caused by sitting on my backside for long periods while writing the second book...
Happy cycling!
eleanor

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Originally Posted by DirtDiva

I read your article in Spoke. Looked like an amazing trip. Just waiting for Borders to email me a discount voucher for non-fiction. ;)

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They WERE doing a 3 for 2 deal on it a month or so back. I'm not sure if that's still on....

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Originally Posted by Lisa S.H.

Wow, congratulations! Gorgeous photos.
The Amazon page could use a description of what the book is about somewhere.

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Thank you! Glad you enjoyed the photos.
If you buy a copy of the book from Amazon, you can write your own review. Hint hint :-)

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Originally Posted by snapdragen

I'm currently reading this, and enjoying it! :D

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Nice!
How on earth did you break your neck?! Was it a close encounter with the ground after spilling off your steed?

just bought your book. For some reason USA Amazon doesn't carry it but Canadian Amazon does...

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Originally Posted by mimitabby

just bought your book. For some reason USA Amazon doesn't carry it but Canadian Amazon does...

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Thankyou. Every sale helps an impoverished cyclist...

Hi Eleanor,

A second book, that's fabulous! Are you writing another cycling/travel book? I just submitted a review on Amazon, hope it helps. I plan to recommend your book to everyone that tells me I am crazy and will die traveling alone in SA. There is, of course, no shortage of such people.

Yes, I will be keeping a travel journal on my trip, posting what I can on my website (www.annedirkse.com). I'm not sure how often I'll be updating it on the road, sort of depends how frustratingly slow the connections are & how much time I want to spend dealing with them. :) I leave on Dec 1... I am counting the days!

I've unfortunately been able to test out my rain jacket a little too often lately but am glad to report that it seems to be a good one. We've had plenty of wind too, but I'm sure it doesn't compare.

Anne

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Originally Posted by onimity

A second book, that's fabulous! Are you writing another cycling/travel book?

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I'm hoping to, yes, I recently returned from 5 months cycling through Mexico and I'm looking forward to finding the time to start organising my diaries.

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Originally Posted by onimity

I just submitted a review on Amazon, hope it helps.

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Thank you! Much appreciated.

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Originally Posted by onimity

I plan to recommend your book to everyone that tells me I am crazy and will die traveling alone in SA. There is, of course, no shortage of such people.

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I know. What is it with that? Have you noticed that all the people who tell you that you'll die are never the ones who have been to the country you're planning on visiting? And those who have been tell you what a great time you're going to have. I only ever take the advice of other cycle tourists now...they usually have some idea of what they're talking about.

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Originally Posted by onimity

Yes, I will be keeping a travel journal on my trip, posting what I can on my website (www.annedirkse.com).

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Nice one. I'll check it out. Happy travels!
eleanor

Very cool about the Mexico trip/book, I can't wait to read about it! :)

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I know. What is it with that? Have you noticed that all the people who tell you that you'll die are never the ones who have been to the country you're planning on visiting? And those who have been tell you what a great time you're going to have. I only ever take the advice of other cycle tourists now...they usually have some idea of what they're talking about.

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Yea, exactly. Or if they have been no one gave them any hassle because they were (or were with) a big, strong man. Honestly, I've felt nothing but over-protected when traveling alone in SA. ¿Estás sola? ¡Pobrecita! Whereas with a guy in tow I've found that people are much more inclined to increase prices and much less inclined to chat.

When I started planning my trip I sent out an e-mail asking for advice/putting me in touch with anyone that had done such a trip. The responses basically amounted to:

1) I haven't ridden in SA, but you're going to have a blast. I've ridden from x to y and had a blast. My gear list always includes...but don't bring too much!

-or-

2) I haven't ever ridden a bicycle out of my neighborhood. But I know someone that has. But he was male, and he was in Canada/the US. I WOULD NOT GO ALONE. You're talking about South America, after all, which I've never visited because it is so dangerous.

I know who I'm going to believe...

Anne

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Originally Posted by eleanor from nz

Nice!
How on earth did you break your neck?! Was it a close encounter with the ground after spilling off your steed?

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:rolleyes: Not really broken, just a bit bent. Long story shortened, it's turned out to be some major disc compression in my neck, who knows what it was caused by. Guess I need to think up a new sig line, eh?

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Originally Posted by eleanor from nz

They WERE doing a 3 for 2 deal on it a month or so back. I'm not sure if that's still on....

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Have a 40% off voucher right here. :) Shall pass by with it on my way to or from the gym tomorrow. :) Must buy the Kennet Bros book too. How do I not own that?

I just finished Llamas and Empanadas - wow! I do not know if I have the stuff to do something like this. It is an amazing story, I'm looking forward to your next book.

Elanor, your photos are wonderful. my favorites are "sugar babies", "spices' and "road to the end of the world" you use a lot of natural light, what kind of camera did you use?

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Originally Posted by snapdragen

I just finished Llamas and Empanadas - wow! I do not know if I have the stuff to do something like this. It is an amazing story, I'm looking forward to your next book.

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I'm glad you liked it. Of course you have the stuff to do something similar. We all have it. Sometimes it just takes a little digging to unearth it...
:-)

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Originally Posted by zencentury

Elanor, your photos are wonderful. my favorites are "sugar babies", "spices' and "road to the end of the world" you use a lot of natural light, what kind of camera did you use?

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I used an old school Nikon FG20 SLR. Fuji 400 film. I like the colours that Fuji gives the best. Seems to reflect what I see most accurately.

be sure and check out her slide show
+++++++

say, i'm reading the book now and it is great. i'm only about 1/4 the way through but I wish I had your gumption.

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Originally Posted by kpokla

I wish I had your gumption.

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I bet you do, really.

When is it going to be available from a US publisher. I can't seem to get around to ordering it elsewhere.

--SK, the armchair world traveler :rolleyes:

Maybe someone visiting from California soon will loan me her copy.

This book has thrown a wrench in my travel plans. I've been diligently planning a touring trip to NZ next year and received wonderful advice from the ladies here. Then I ordered this book and dh read it first, as well as a touring Central American book and is completely wanting us to change our plans and head to Patagonia next year instead.

I just started reading the book and must admit it is calling to me. DH has indicated since I choose the last place we visited, he's allowed to delay NZ and opt for Patagonia for our next trip. What's a girl to do!!!

Eleanor, love the book so far, such an easy, flowing writing style!

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Originally Posted by SadieKate

When is it going to be available from a US publisher. I can't seem to get around to ordering it elsewhere.

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Alas, it won't be published in the US. The closest you can get is to order it from Amazon Canada. Sorry about that!

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Originally Posted by snowtulip

he's allowed to delay NZ and opt for Patagonia for our next trip. What's a girl to do!!!

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Go to Patagonia, of course.

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Originally Posted by snowtulip

Eleanor, love the book so far, such an easy, flowing writing style!

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Thank you. I'm very glad you're enjoying it. It's so nice to be able to share what was a really wonderful trip.

How did that happen?

I just ordered the book from Amazon Canada (one click shopping is a dangerous thing!). I can't wait to read it.

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Originally Posted by sah

How did that happen?

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London Bike Thieves. They know their D-locks. Probably sold it for £30 up Brick Lane.

Since I am doing the Compact thing for 2008 (no new stuff this year) if anyone has a used copy they'd like to sell or loan to me after finishing, please let me know. Otherwise, I can't wait until it hits the library shelves!

All set on the above request. Thank you, Mimitabby!
~Indy

Just finished a very good read. Thank you, Miss Snap!