The Catch Me If You Can: One Woman's Journey to Every Country in the World
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4.4 • 13 Ratings
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- $4.99
Publisher Description
In this inspiring travelogue, celebrated traveler and photographer Jessica Nabongo—the first Black woman on record to visit all 195 countries in the world—shares her journey around the globe with fascinating stories of adventure, culture, travel musts, and human connections. It was a daunting task, but Jessica Nabongo, the beloved voice behind the popular website The Catch Me if You Can, made it happen, completing her journey to all 195 UN-recognized countries in the world in October 2019. Now, in this one-of-a-kind memoir, she reveals her top 100 destinations from her global adventure. Beautifully illustrated with many of Nabongo's own photographs, the book documents her remarkable experiences in each country, including: A harrowing scooter accident in Nauru, the world's least visited country, Seeing the life and community swarming around the Hazrat Ali Mazar mosque in Afghanistan, Horseback riding and learning to lasso with Black cowboys in Oklahoma, Playing dominoes with men on the streets of Havana, Learning to make traditional takoyaki (octopus balls) from locals in Japan, Dog sledding in Norway and swimming with humpback whales in Tonga, A late night adventure with strangers to cross a border in Guinea Bissau, And sunbathing on the sandy shores of Los Roques in Venezuela. Along with beloved destinations like Peru and South Africa, you'll also find tales from far-flung corners and seldom visited destinations, including Tuvalu, North Korea, South Sudan, and the Central African Republic. Nabongo's stories are love letters to diversity, beauty, and culture—and most of all, to the people she meets along the way. Throughout, she offers bucket-list experiences for other travel-lovers looking to follow in her footsteps. For armchair travelers or readers planning a trip around the globe, this arresting collection will awe and inspire!
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
In this alluring memoir, travel influencer Jessica Nabongo—the first Black woman to visit every country in the world—leads us through 100 of the most memorable places she’s had the pleasure of visiting. After becoming disillusioned with her comfortable life as a pharmaceutical sales rep in Detroit, Nabongo set off to teach English in Japan—a trip that set the course for her new nomadic life. She takes us from her mother’s home village in Uganda to a boat cruise to the Cold War time capsule that is Pyongyang, North Korea, recounting the beauty and the quirks of some of her most memorable destinations. Nabongo’s stories will definitely give you wanderlust, but she doesn’t shy away from illustrating the realities of being a Black woman while traveling, explaining how her trips required more consideration than simply finding a spot for an awesome selfie. Nabongo’s casual, relatable narration includes great tips for getting the most out of your travels, even if you’re not trying to set a personal record.
