One woman, one bike and one richly entertaining, perception-altering journey of discovery.
In 2015, as the Syrian War raged and the refugee crisis reached its peak, Rebecca Lowe set off on her bicycle across the Middle East. Driven by a desire to learn more about this troubled region and its relationship with the West, Lowe's year-long, 11,000km journey took her through Europe to Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Sudan, the Gulf and finally to Iran. It was an odyssey through landscapes and history that captured her heart, but also a deeply challenging cycle across mountains, deserts and repressive police states that nearly defeated her. Plagued by punctures and battling temperatures ranging from -6 to 48°C, Lowe was rescued frequently by farmers and refugees, villagers and urbanites alike, and relied almost entirely on the kindness and hospitality of locals to complete this living portrait of the modern Middle East.
This is her evocative, deeply researched and often very funny account of her travels – and the people, politics and culture she encountered. Join us to discuss this story of slow travel through the heart of the Middle East.
The book was shortlisted for the 2023 Edward Stanford travel writing awards Travel Book of the Year.
This free event is open to all. You can attend in person at the University of Plymouth or online via Zoom.
Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84554004108?pwd=caEwkyf99TSOq5b8QNXzJJBXJaJiRU.1
Meeting ID: 845 5400 4108; Passcode: 630407
Meeting ID: 845 5400 4108; Passcode: 630407
Please email plymouth.global.book.club@gmail.com if you have any queries.