Shopping for Buddhas: An Adventure in Nepal, by Jeff Greenwald
Shopping for Buddhas takes readers on a hilarious journey through Nepal, guided by American travel writer Jeff Greenwald's obsessive quest for the perfect Buddha statue. This entertaining travelogue offers a vivid glimpse into the mystical world of Buddhism and the complex realities of Nepalese life.
Greenwald's wit shines as he navigates the bustling markets of Kathmandu, describing one memorable encounter with a savvy merchant: "His eyes gleamed like those of a card shark about to pull an ace from his sleeve." The author's self-deprecating humor is on full display as he battles his own "consumer lust," admitting, "I was a man possessed, panting like a bloodhound on the trail of the Eternal."
But Shopping for Buddhas goes beyond mere souvenir hunting. Greenwald's sharp observations reveal a country of stark contrasts. He marvels at the "dizzying blend of gods, spirits, and tantric deities" in Nepalese culture, while also confronting the harsh realities of poverty and political unrest. In one poignant scene, he describes a young boy "no more than seven or eight... sifting through a heap of trash, competing with a mangy dog for scraps."
The book doesn't shy away from Nepal's darker side. Greenwald investigates the country's history of art smuggling, noting how "priceless artifacts vanish from temples as if by magic, only to reappear in the living rooms of wealthy collectors." He also touches on issues of drug addiction and human rights abuses, providing a nuanced view of a nation in flux.
For readers seeking an honest, funny, and insightful look at Nepal, Shopping for Buddhas delivers. Greenwald's unique voice – part neurotic New Yorker, part wide-eyed spiritual seeker – makes for an unforgettable read. The latest edition includes a new preface covering recent events in Nepal, including the tragic 2001 royal family massacre, adding valuable context to this already rich narrative.
“There are deeper reasons to travel—itches and tickles on the underbelly of the unconscious mind. We go where we need to go, and then try to figure out what we’re doing there. It took a surprisingly long time for me to realize that all these trips to Nepal and environs were united by a single, fundamental theme: the need to steep my cerebral cortex in the culture and religion of the region, in the hopes that as much of it would soak into me as possible.”
Interesting Facts & Links:
Jeff Greenwald is an avid world traveler and travel writer who lives in Berkeley, California when not out exploring the world. His has written essays for many publications including the New York Times Magazine, National Geographic Adventure, Outside, and Salon.com. He is also generally known for the creating one of the first international travel blogs. In 2003, Greenwald co-founded a nonprofit called Ethical Traveler, created to “empower travelers to change the world.” Their goal is use the economic clout of tourism to protect human rights and the environment.
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