*SPOILER ALERT

This past September, I finished reading Elizabeth Gilbert’s memoir Eat Pray Love. She shared her experiences living in three countries: Italy, India, and Indonesia for one year as well as her interactions with many people who are from different nations. Before Gilbert jetted off on an adventure, she had to deal with her hard divorce and her eventual break-up with her actor boyfriend. She decided that a year in travel would be good for her and she would be herself again. In Italy, Gilbert described the tastes of Napoli pizza, authentic Italian-style spaghetti, and her learning how to pronounce Italian words. In India, she stayed at an ashram where she met a fellow American man from Texas who listened to her problems and gave her advice. Gilbert tried to control her mind, but she had a hard time because she would over think. This over-thinking problem is all too common. Then, after her stay in an ashram, she went on a plane to Bali. I have heard that Bali is a nice tropical country for vacation. Someday I will visit Bali and experience the Balinese culture. Gilbert met a Brazilian man who is an expatriate living and working in Bali and eventually they became intimate. Gilbert was also reunited with her friend, Ketut who is a local medicine man. Gilbert asked him interesting questions such as “What is it (heaven) like?” (page 261). Gilbert medicated and reflected about her life and her purpose. Gilbert wanted to attain the state of happiness and she shared her many experiences to the reader who may be struggling with numerous problems and that they too will overcome and learn a lot about themselves through traveling, meeting new people, and adventures. I enjoyed reading this memoir because I learned a lot about these three countries that no other guidebook can provide subjectively. I recommend this memoir for those who are planning to visit one or more of these countries or for travel lovers and jet setters. What travel memoir should I read next? Let me know in the comments below!

“Yesterday I might have been a glorious monument to somebody, true enough–but tomorrow I could be a fireworks depository.”

-Elizabeth Gilbert page 75

“So sadness is a place?” Giovanni asked. “Sometimes people live there for years,” I said.

-Elizabeth Gilbert page 71

“Your tears are my prayers.” -Luca

-Elizabeth Gilbert page 109

Mei’s rating: Four Stars