No Baggage
Ein Date, drei Wochen, acht Länder - und kein Gepäck
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- $14.99
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- $14.99
Publisher Description
Clara steckt in einer Lebenskrise: Nach dem Ende der Immobilienblase drohen die Träume der jungen Amerikanerin zu zerplatzen. Doch dann lernt sie Jeff kennen. Nach nur einem Date schmieden die beiden einen ungewöhnlichen Plan: 21 Tage wollen sie quer durch Europa reisen. Das Besondere: Sie verzichten auf jegliches Gepäck. Mit minimaler Ausstattung, ohne Hotels und festgelegte Route fliegen sie von Austin, Texas nach Istanbul. Die anschließende Reise stellt Claras Leben auf den Kopf. Und nach drei Wochen weiß sie: Die schönsten Dinge passieren, wenn man sie nicht geplant hat.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Freelance writer Bensen gives a book-length treatment to an article she wrote for Salon, "The Craziest OKCupid Date Ever," detailing her relationship with Texas maverick Jeff and their luggageless 21-day trip through Europe in the spring of 2013. After suffering a quarter-life existential crisis, Bensen decides to dive back into life with gusto. She meets Jeff on a popular dating site, and a month later they purchase tickets to Istanbul. The resulting adventure includes serendipitous couch-surfing hosts, raucous political protests, a dust-up with security at the Parthenon, and the "grueling surrealism" of a 23-hour bus ride. Bensen exhibits a knack for description and history as she recalls touring the Hagia Sophia, the temple of Apollo, and even Bosnia's "shelled-out skeleton houses with collapsed roofs and Swiss-cheese walls." Jeff is a bit of a caricature at first, but as their relationship progresses, he evolves from a vessel of energy and New Age platitudes into a sensitive man facing his fears of commitment and vulnerability. If this sounds like a tale of ridiculous millennial whimsey, it is, but Benson is self-aware, frequently acknowledging her privileges; her account of her mental breakdown borders on maudlin, but her willingness to discuss it in detail is admirable.
