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Ants in My Pants: One Woman’s Unexpected Adventures Across Seven Continents
A Restless Spirit, Unexpected Connections
To Joyce Perrin, a divorced fifty-something living in Canada, the lure of adventure unleashed her undying curiosity about the world and about people as she crisscrossed the world for over twenty years and visited 156 countries on all seven continents.
Not just as a tourist, but as an ambassador for adventure, working for the World Health Organization, touching (and changing) lives in healthcare settings in the Middle East, Africa, and South America.
And the unconventional trips off the beaten path (or any path) to climb Mount Kilimanjaro or travel overland in a truck on the Silk Road, or scuba dive with sharks, snorkel off remote coral reefs, explore crowded bazaars and museums, live with families and eat at their dinner tables, rejoice in the flavors of unfamiliar foods and a spectacular sunset or sunrise, tumble down sand dunes, pound grain with oppressed women in Africa, and soar in gliders and helicopters over exotic lands and a frozen ice shelf, dance with locals the world over, and savor the universality of the human spirit.
That is Joyce Perrin.
About those ants in her pants—you’ll have to read about this adventure in Zimbabwe.
Touching lives, turning strangers into friends. Joyce, who has stowed her travel bag in exchange for the writing life, continues to embrace the inherent positivity in people around the globe.
To Joyce Perrin, a divorced fifty-something living in Canada, the lure of adventure unleashed her undying curiosity about the world and about people as she crisscrossed the world for over twenty years and visited 156 countries on all seven continents.
Not just as a tourist, but as an ambassador for adventure, working for the World Health Organization, touching (and changing) lives in healthcare settings in the Middle East, Africa, and South America.
And the unconventional trips off the beaten path (or any path) to climb Mount Kilimanjaro or travel overland in a truck on the Silk Road, or scuba dive with sharks, snorkel off remote coral reefs, explore crowded bazaars and museums, live with families and eat at their dinner tables, rejoice in the flavors of unfamiliar foods and a spectacular sunset or sunrise, tumble down sand dunes, pound grain with oppressed women in Africa, and soar in gliders and helicopters over exotic lands and a frozen ice shelf, dance with locals the world over, and savor the universality of the human spirit.
That is Joyce Perrin.
About those ants in her pants—you’ll have to read about this adventure in Zimbabwe.
Touching lives, turning strangers into friends. Joyce, who has stowed her travel bag in exchange for the writing life, continues to embrace the inherent positivity in people around the globe.
- GenresTravel
356 pages, Paperback
Published March 7, 2023
18 people are currently reading
54 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 12, 2024
I saw a brief interview with Joyce on YouTube and decided to buy her book. Reading it was a lot like reading someone's travel diary or personal notes but I really enjoyed hearing about her incredible world travels which began at age 57 and took place mostly in the early 90's to 2000's, well before cell phones were commonly used. What an fulfilling life and series of adventures!
January 10, 2026
A Restless Spirit is an exciting and inspiring journey across the globe through Joyce Perrin’s eyes. From climbing Kilimanjaro to living with families in far-off lands, her adventures are vivid, heartfelt, and full of unexpected connections. A must-read for anyone who loves travel, human stories, and the joy of discovering the world beyond the usual path.
June 15, 2023
My wife came home from a University of Women club meeting to say that she had listened to Joyce E Perrin who was the guest speaker that night.
She said that she so loved Joyce's talk so much that she decided to buy her book Ants in My Pants...
I saw it sitting on our coffee table so I picked it up and started reading and never really put it down.
I found it to be a very positive and uplifting read and a story written by a lady who always looked a challenges, people and places in the most positive way...
It's an easy read and I would highly recommend it to anyone. Quite the change from all the mystery and nature books that I normally read. That said it made me feel good and makes me want to get out and see more of this beautiful planet that we live on...
Great job with the book Joyce and thanks so much for sharing your adventures/live with us...
Tim
She said that she so loved Joyce's talk so much that she decided to buy her book Ants in My Pants...
I saw it sitting on our coffee table so I picked it up and started reading and never really put it down.
I found it to be a very positive and uplifting read and a story written by a lady who always looked a challenges, people and places in the most positive way...
It's an easy read and I would highly recommend it to anyone. Quite the change from all the mystery and nature books that I normally read. That said it made me feel good and makes me want to get out and see more of this beautiful planet that we live on...
Great job with the book Joyce and thanks so much for sharing your adventures/live with us...
Tim
May 21, 2023
Wow!!!
I came across this book by accident, and has been so blessed by the pages written in this book. As a personal world explorer myself, having traveled to 85 countries to date, this book has been such an inspiration. The author shares her life experiences and gives a brief history of the countries she visits. Which is so beautiful it’s definitely a page turner highly recommend
I came across this book by accident, and has been so blessed by the pages written in this book. As a personal world explorer myself, having traveled to 85 countries to date, this book has been such an inspiration. The author shares her life experiences and gives a brief history of the countries she visits. Which is so beautiful it’s definitely a page turner highly recommend
July 29, 2023
See my review on https://canadiancookbooks.ca/ants-in-...
April 26, 2024
wonderful book
I enjoyed reading this book so much. I learned so much from Joyce’s adventures. Joyce should be an inspiration to so many.
I enjoyed reading this book so much. I learned so much from Joyce’s adventures. Joyce should be an inspiration to so many.
Read
December 19, 2023Joyce is such an inspiration! Had the desire to keep reading and the simultaneous urge to put down the book to hop on a plane. Thank you, Joyce, for sharing these stories.
September 16, 2023
This is a very interesting book about solo world travel after 50!! This lady loved the connections with people she made during her travels. Her story is one of adventure, believing you can and doing. She embraced the culture even if she disagreed with their customs. What a delightful read!!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews