An Ode to My Kindle

First of all, I just need to say that I feel horrible for everyone suffering in Haiti. My excitement over the earthquake here yesterday was a bit ridiculous, and I am certainly not laughing at the people in Haiti nor am I excited about earthquakes anymore. I realize I am lucky that our earthquake was mild and that I am safe, and I sincerely hope that no one will ever suffer a devasting earthquake again.

SO... Since I've had so much free time lately, most of my days here have been spent lounging about in Stellita's apartment, reading books on my Kindle.

And about the Kindle: really, I'm not sure there's been a more useful, helpful, and down right perfect tool ever invented for a traveler, except maybe a compass. I am so grateful to Warren for getting it for me for Christmas. (My new suitcase, which was a gift from my mother, is equally useful and wonderful. I am especially fond of its 360 degree wheels. But I digress.) My Kindle has entertained me for hours. I can download books from just about anywhere in the world--either directly from Amazon's own wireless Whispernet, or from any computer with internet. Many books are free. The ones that aren't are always a bit cheaper than a printed copy. I'm saving trees. More importantly, I am able to read books in English in Colombia, and I didn't have to drag an extra suitcase here to do so.

You see, books written in English are very expensive in Colombia. Most books average between $20 and $30... which is exactly how much Amazon charges to ship a book here. So, before I received my Kindle, I was facing a year without reading material. This is a very depressing prospect for a former literature major.

Anyway... since I do have a Kindle, I have passed most of my days here reading. It's been absolutely delightful. I haven't read this much since I was in high school. I've literally finished 3 books since Friday. Amazing.

So... what I've read:
Travel as a Political Act, by Rick Steves
I'm a Stranger Here Myself, by Bill Bryson
Eat, Pray, Love, by Elizabeth Gilbert (I'm actually re-reading this, as I read it 2 years ago.)

All of these authors are travel writers. All three books are inherently about travel and about our own relationships with other countries and our own country. All of them are magnificent, and if you enjoy travel writing I highly recommend them.

Of course, if you enjoy traveling I highly recommend a Kindle. Other than the people in my life and traveling itself, I'm not sure I love anything more. Except maybe dogs. And possibly wine.