We touched upon it when we read "Travels with Charley", but we talked about it more when we read "Blue Highways". Travel, or road trips, books are something for the privileged. I, for one, nor my mother, nor my father, nor most of the people I know, have the resources (read: money) to leave work for months to go travel the country. My father would laugh at the suggestion. If he were to leave work for months, not only would he get fired, but his family would starve. That, however, does not mean that my father would not want to travel the country. The truth is that for me and my family, a road trip would be an impossibility.
So, because I cannot do what Least Heat-Moon did, does that mean that I like the book less? Perhaps not. I did not like the book for other reasons. I digress. Maybe I could not like it because it is something so far out my reach that it would bother me to read about it. Least Heat-Moon would be constantly rubbing it in my face that he is able to travel and I can't. Or maybe it might mean that I would like it more because I can live vicariously through the book. It would function as escapist literature.
I wonder if my dad or mom would enjoy the book. I didn't wait too long fot the answer. I asked them both if they would like to read the book. Both answered that they did not have enough time.
I agree with you on a lot of points you make. I wonder if your parents would have a different answer if you posed the question like "when you retire, would you want to travel...." However, they could easily answer saying that they're too tired or "para que?". I know my dad has been bitten by the travel bug and he is saving up for a trip to Tibet. But I know a lot other parents who are perfectly content not traveling. I think it depends on the person. But you are right when you say that if money is a huge factor.I wonder if it's also a matter of clashes between the first and second generation...
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