[Oe List ...] Book Review

[JB Webster]

Here's my review of John Burbidge book More Than Halfway to Somewhere that
I've posted five-star on the Goodreads site as well as on Facebook:


 Being associated with Order:Ecumenical for 30 years, Burbidge lived a rich
life of adventure and service. He was a fresh traveler from his native
Australia and anxious about what he was getting himself into: American
culture, ghetto society and the initial existential impact of The Order's
communal style struck him as a baptism of fire that “doesn't come close to
describing it.” Later, as he became involved with advancing Institute
community development programs around the world, he describes
roller-coaster highs and life-threatening lows as well as vibrant human
exchanges. As he hitchhiked Zimbabwe he had colorful conversations with a
Yorkshire truck driver who welcomed him to stay a few nights with his
family. Then there are hassles with Nigerian “Err-ways” and other zoo-like
experiences at international airports. He describes balancing acts as he
rode buses in India, Nairobi slums and much amazing and sometimes
unexpected hospitality wherever he went. Strange foods such as raw
crocodile. He emphasizes that travel is about people, not places and how
travel is a learning experience. Overall, truly an engaging read.
(Disclosure: I knew Burbidge when we were Ecclesiola colleagues [he would
say “mates”] during a summer Ecumenical Institute research event.)
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