Traveler's Joy

Book Review by Christina Francine

Ahhh, the life of a wanderer. Is it as romantic as it sounds or a way filled with misery and hardship? Maybe it depends on what you know and who taught you, if anyone.

Levy trusted her instincts and chose to absorb the customs of the wise nomads, the masters from around the world.

Traveler’s Joy is a first-person account of facts, observations, poems, memories, guides, and tips, based upon these experiences. Levy explains how to stay healthy and strong, provides various recipes for wounds, fevers, poisonings and stings, and shares her happy, free approach to life.

>From the time she was old enough to leave home, Levy wanted to follow the nomad way. Her travels first began in the late nineteen thirties. She left a northern England university where she studied veterinary medicine. After being disappointed by modern medicines ability to save animals she began to think about the healing powers of herbs. Thus, her research began. Eventually, Levy decided to become a modern “Scholar Gypsy.”

Contents of the book include:

* Foreword by Helen Scott Nearing
· About travel
· About water · About fire and weather
· About dwellings
· About medicine
· About food
· About travelers
· Index

Also, sprinkled throughout the book, are lovely poems by various people and peaceful sketchings.

Excerpt from the book:
P. 61Weather signs

“* Aromatic plants scent the air and are unusually strong before wet weather; they are opening out to receive the coming rains.

* House flys swarming indoors in large numbers are a sign rain is due.

* Goats and sheep bleating unduly foretell bad weather, often severe storms.

* Cows lie down for long sessions before storms. They are said to be keeping their udders warm.

* The woodpecker cries with unusual loudness before rain, and owls hoot loud and frequently before a night storm.”

What are others saying?

Helen Scott Nearing has written this:
“ This book is a joy to travel through. She stays healthy and strong in all situations, but gives recipes in detail for combating all types of ailments.”

Along with all the positive points, this book just might change the way gypsies are believed to be. These people revealed to Levy unique wisdom, knowledge, hardiness and beauty.

‘Traveler’s Joy’ does what it claims, which is to celebrate the delights of the wanderer’s life, provide information on how to live simply, enjoy the beauty of it, and Levy’s observations made along the way. It instructs while persuading one to realize the natural abundance around them.

This is the third book I’ve read by this author. All are thoughtful, enlightening and well organized. I like the way they make me feel, and the simple, teachings. This incredible woman led the life of a traveler and lived off what nature provided while maintaining her health. She recorded tips and customs from gypsies throughout the world.

I recommend this book for anyone interested in natural living, traveling, and healing; those curious about gypsies from all over the world; or those fascinated by interesting people who’ve led interesting lives. ‘Traveler’s Joy’ contains all these elements.

Even if you don’t plan to lead the life of a gypsy or nomad, you’ll learn many secrets of survival and healthy living. After all, life is a trip and surviving it isn’t the only goal. You want to enjoy it along the way too.