I'm currently reading 'Neither here nor there - travels in Europe' by Bill Bryson. It was first published in 1991 and although the Internet was around then, it wasn't as widely accessible as it is today. As I'm reading the book I think of all the things that are made simpler for travellers as a result of having access to the Internet, hotel bookings for one. But also all the things that are lost, like a sense of awe and adventure. As I'm following Bill's journey, I find myself looking up images on the iPod or PC so that I can see what he is seeing. But it's not possible to have the same experiences, to get a real sense of the culture and I feel almost that the 2D image on the screen is a poor substitute for the 3D image in my head. Much like how fictional novels are often disappointing when turned into blockbusters.
What about you? Do you look up images and info as you read a book or wait 'til you're done or just leave it all to the imagination?
General observations on life, literature and the importance of pockets.
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