Too many travel narratives are written about the highly improbable, crazy or suicidal, vain-glorious antics someone participates in simply to publish. Too few are written accidentally, by honest travelers. Conor Grennan is at least frank. He confesses, within the first pages, that his round-the-world-trip plus volunteer-stint-in-Nepal was planned as a feel-good future pickup line.
But then he meets the orphans at Little Princes. And Grennan – a 20-something American with no prior experience in childcare or global development- discovers that he is more than just a foreign helper in an orphanage for trafficked children.
As it turns out, wondering what you’re supposed to do in an orphanage is like wondering what you’re supposed to do at the running of the bulls in Spain- you work it out pretty quickly.
Grennan’s initial experience turns into a three-year effort to reconnect children with their families. Open and eager, Grennan never admits to anything but a surprising love for the kids in his charge.
During dangerous treks into rebel-controlled regions, and unexpected moments of contentment, Grennan keeps his tone refreshingly witty and straightforward. He is a normal person who shares a true story, not one fashioned to impress readers. What better proof, than that a portion of all book sales goes to his organization Next Generation Nepal, which continues to work with trafficked kids.
Kelli Mutchler left a small, Midwest American town to prove that Yanks can, and do, chose alternative lifestyles. On the road for five years now, Kelli has tried news reporting and waitressing, bungy jumping and English teaching. Currently working with Burmese women refugees in Thailand, she hopes to pursue a MA in Global Development. Opportunities and scenes for international travel are encouraged on her blog, www.toomutchforwords.com.
