One of my favorite games when I was growing up was called “Across the Continent.” It was all about taking train routes across the United States, and being the first to get from coast to coast. My brothers and I spent lots of hours playing it. As a matter of fact, I still have the old game board, although those little trains and the cards are long gone. (I found this photo on the internet, and was thrilled to see all the pieces again!)
Even though it’s been a busy week, with report cards and parent conferences, I have been listening to the audiobook, The Old Patagonian Express, by Paul Theroux. I wonder if my enjoyment of Mr. Theroux’s books on his train travels throughout the world is partly due to my love of this old game? This book is about his trip from Boston to Patagonia by lots of different trains! He tells story after story, and his observations are acute, sometimes acerbic, but always insightful and interesting. I have at my side during this armchair travel, a map of Latin America and am following closely along as he proceeds southward.
A Fondness For Reading 
It is quite possible that this wonderful game (wish they still made games like these) instilled in you a love for reading about train journeys and Theroux loves his travel by train so much it’s hard not to want to join him as he chugs along! I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy of “The Old Patagonian Express”…I have this urge now to read all that Theroux has ever written (his non-fiction stuff, I’ve never been a great fan of his works of fiction)
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I’ve never heard of this game and I grew up over here!! Isn’t that amazing! I didn’t know anyone who had it. I read something by Theroux years and years ago, and all I recall is that I didn’t think he was a very good writer. I wonder now what the title was. Maybe, as Lotus Reads wrote, it was a fiction piece?
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Hi Lotus and Nan, I have mixed feelings about Theroux and his writing, but I do enjoy “traveling” with him on his journeys. I’ve never read any of his fiction, and it sounds like I’m not missing much.
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I’m here especially to wish you a blessed Thanksgiving. Thank you for being my Blogger friend!
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I hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving, too, Bellezza.
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