The Traveller: Notes From an Imperfect Journey Around the World

by Daniel Baylis

As Daniel Baylis approached his 30th birthday, he asked himself a tough question: Who's at the steering wheel of my life? The verdict came back unclear, so he decided to take immediate action. He gave up his job and his rent-controlled apartment to tackle one of his biggest dreams - to travel the world. With an objective to not only see places but also to experience them, Baylis spent an entire year sampling a variety of volunteer positions. From an elementary schoolroom in Peru, to the famous Edinburgh Fringe Fest, to an organic goat farm hidden in the hills of Galilee (and many places and projects in between), he dove headfirst into immersive travel experiences. With a touch of introspection and a heap of humour, The Traveller presents twelve literary snapshots of twelve very distinct global destinations. What emerges is a portrait of an individual trying to be helpful, along with all the people who helped him along the way. Lively and compelling, The Traveller is required reading for anyone who dreams of international adventures - or for anyone who simply dreams.

Genres: Travel

420 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Daniel Baylis is a writer and photographer. For the past decade, he has embarked upon unusual global adventures that have included walking across Israel/Palestine, riding a bicycle across India, and writing poetry in Cuba.

His most recent travel memoir, Wild Birds, is a love letter to peace — recounting his 1,000-km walk across the Middle East, the people he encountered, and the lessons he learned along the way. Daniel's new collection of poetry, entitled This is a Landscape, is available now.

In his spare time, Daniel enjoys bouldering, documentary films, cooking soups, and staring at clouds.

Reviews

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daniel Baylis’ book The Traveller is a trip – literary and figuratively.

At the end of 2010, this young writer put all of his worldly possessions in storage and took off on a self-directed voyage around the world. He visited 12 countries in 12 months, looking for meaningful ways to engage with the local communities. All throughout, he wrote about his (mis)adventures and they are collected here in this book – one chapter for every country visited.

Daniel does a great job of letting us inside his journey. I felt like I was along for the ride: herding goats in Israel, rebuilding a castle in the French countryside, creating bonds with the locals in South Africa. I felt his elation, his disappointment, his anxiety, his wonder. Dan is also extremely witty and his sense of humour shines through. On several occasions I even laughed out loud.

The book’s subtitle is “Notes from an Imperfect Journey Around the World”. Although Daniel didn’t know what to expect on his journey, he did have an idea of the kinds of experiences he was looking to have. And oftentimes he found himself faced with something he had not signed on for. “I suppose sometimes there’s the lesson you expect to receive in life. And then there’s the lesson you get,” he writes while in India.

The Traveller is a great book. It’s an engaging look into the lives of those living in other countries, and of one man looking to connect.

[Lori Gia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember following Daniels travel blog as he was traveling. I would stay up reading his letters home or his vlogs and would forget all about studying for my mid terms. I remember really feeling his emotions bcuz he was so personal w his journal entries. It felt like it was me traveling.then a couple years later, he writes this book. I read it over two long flights. I didn't put it down for one second. Never fell asleep. Never listened to music. It was just me and DB for 8 hours. I remember I didn't finish it so when I landed, I met up w my friend and said I would need a few hours to get ready for dinner. I sat up finishing the last chapters. I love this book ❤️ anyway, there r small lessons to b learned during the entirety of this book and He's also witty! Good read!!!

[A Randall · Rating 5 out of 5]

For me, the sign of a good book is when I don't want it to end. Last night I put it down with only two pages to go. I wanted to savor the last few lines. I love travel books that are honest. Because travel is not all rosy. Daniel is honest and funny. I laughed out loud at the black fly incident for one. Felt compassion for every travelers worst nightmare: bed bugs. Notes from an Imperfect Journey around the world is inspiring. As Daniel wrote "be brave and go or at least fake braveness and go"

[Jeffrey Spivock · Rating 5 out of 5]

At a time when you can't travel, this is a book that lets you travel. And at a time where people are striving to give back, Daniel was well ahead of the curve. It questions and reflects on the idea of travel and giving back, and how much we give and how much we get from putting ourselves in unfamiliar situations. Definitely worth reading.

[Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

No recommendations for dinner or suggestions for weekend sightseeing. This is not traditional travel writing.

The Traveller is one man's perfect "imperfect" account of the experience of travel itself.

[Candice Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exactly the kind of inspiration I needed to read before setting out on my trip. Loved it!

[Annie Quinty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daniel Baylis is a gifted storyteller. This book is for anyone who has dreamed of going around the world and others :)

[Suzanne Gabriel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really REALLY enjoyed this book.
I live vicariously through these adventures.
Well-written and wonderful.

[William R. J. Ribeiro · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice little book! I specially liked the jokes, the bowel movements parts made me LOL. Well done.

[Faizel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book before starting my own journey (though not around the world). It was an inspiring read and Baylis is a wonderful storyteller-as I read the book, I had vivid images in my mind of what he described. It was an easy book to read and a hard book to put down.
Thanks for making your very personal journey accessible to the rest of us!

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book isn't poorly written (although there were a few typos and missed words), but the guy is the most pretentious, irritating type of traveller. The kind who looks down on others who don't travel his way and is kind of a jerk to them. Who "jokes" about traveller points when it comes across pretty clearly that he actually kind of really cares about that kind of thing. I constantly felt that he cared about how trip would look and give him cred than whether it was enjoyable.

And the thing that kind of made it all amusing is it seems like he kind of had a crappy trip. Maybe his way isn't the best way.

[Bryanna Plog · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Traveller is an enjoyable read with good humor and the honest musing of the author and traveler, Baylis. While the reader doesn’t learn much about the places Baylis travels to, we are able to experience the highs and lows of a year-long trip around the world. While occasional Baylis gets a bit whiny and we wonder if his way of traveling the world is really a good one, the book zips along and is recommended for anyone looking to spend a few months or years on the move.