Imagine: A Vagabond Story – My Review

Back in July I was given a copy of Imagine: a Vagabond Story by Grant Lingel.  It was an honour to be asked to review this book and I applaud Grant for having the confidence to send it out to fellow travelers and have them say what they will about his words.

I had a difficult time writing this review however.  It is not exactly the type of book that I would choose to read and I put off writing it for some time.  As I re-read the chapters and pondered my thoughts, I came to the conclusion that travel is done in several different ways. The way I see the world is not for everyone and the way that Grant sees the world is not for all.  So I put myself in the shoes of the person that would be interested in reading A Vagabond Story.  Many different types of people will enjoy this book, especially a young traveler venturing off from home for the first time.

Imagine: A Vagabond Story

Many people in this world talk about taking off on a great adventure. But very few actually ever follow through with their threats.

In Grant Lingel’s, “Imagine a Vagabond Story” he not only stays true to his words, he sets off for an adventure through Central America.

I was instantly captured by the first phrase of Chapter One. “Now What?” How many times has that gone through all of our minds?

It was a snowy autumn in Buffalo, NY and all of Grants college friends had already made plans for their future after graduation. A technical glitch left Grant 7 credits shy of graduating and instead of going back to the books he planned to leave America and travel. He bought a one-way ticket to Mexico with hopes of working in a resort entertaining guests with activities.

What happens from there is a whirlwind of sex, parties and drugs, more sex, parties, drugs and yes even more drugs.

It is interesting to see how different people travel the world and I enjoyed viewing the hostel world as an visitor looking in from the outside. A young 20 something fresh out of college is going to experience Mexico far different than a couple like us that enjoys a good adventure, with a “little” partying along the way.

I would have liked to see more of his time outside of this world, but this book will certainly be enjoyed by the young Vagabond wannabes that dream of taking off on their first trip abroad.

A Vagabond Story definitely gives the reader a first hand view of this type of travel. People become instant friends, they bond deeply and move in and out of each others lives in the blink of an eye.

I admire Grants free spirit and willingness to go with the flow and even though some of these people were only around for a short period, you can see the impact that they will forever have on his life.

The book takes us through a journey of his day to day life in Central America and the reader learns that “day to day life” in the travel world differs greatly from the daily grind of the conventional living.  From surviving encounters with the police, a car crash on a mountainous road and a near drowning experience to name a few, Grant certainly lived life to the fullest during his first year out of school.

It is an honest and raw account of his first time venturing out into the world and I look forward to see where his next journey takes him.

I enjoyed experiencing that side of travel through Grants eyes but I think I will leave that crazy world to people like Grant and be happy with my own mellow travels of drinking the odd beer with the locals between adventures.

That is the magic of travel, everyone can choose to see it exactly as they please.  Imagine: A Vagabond Story.