Book Review: Eat, Pray and Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

For the past few weeks, books have been my only confidante, my best friend and my soulmate. Amidst the chaotic ramblings of my mind, they have offered a sense of companionship no other man can offer. They have been non-judgmental despite my shortcomings and misdemeanors. They stayed with me through every tube journeys, drudging night shifts in the hospital, and moments of occasional psychosis. These manuscripts have been a source of inspiration and in the vein, it has kept my sanity intact. Without which, I might have lost it altogether. Uncunningly, every trip to the bookstore has proved worthwhile. The smell of a new book thrills me like a young child awaiting to get his balloon after a Sunday Mass. It has taken me to new heights – away from everyone. I felt safe again – under every letter from A to Z of every book's hologram.

Eat, Pray and Love has started this addiction. Serving as a platform for the Julia Robert's movie, I am a fan of anything that tackles the subject of self-discovery or go-isolate-and-f*ck-yourself-until-you-know-what-you-want kind of story. The book has outshined the actual Hollywood movie. The tongue-in-cheek details of the E. Gilbert's life story never fails to enthrall and fascinate the avid reader. After a few pages, I began to regard it as a travel blog and love story merged into one. Towards the middle, I found myself humming words like “Attraversiamo” which translates “Let's cross over” in Italian. I was mumbling these foreign phrases whilst I was in the tube that other passengers might have thought that a severely attention-seeking psychopath was in their midst. I couldn't care less. I couldn't care any lesser. After all, I was transcended into another world – the author's that is – a world of infinite realm of possibilities in the phase of travelling in deep thought and realization.

By the end of it, she lets herself get carried away by her older but wiser Brazilian lover. She hesitated for one moment but helplessly conceded in the process. She adhered to her heart's desire. She gave in to love. I acquise to her compelling life-changing decision. And so will I. Then there's only one thing to do – Attraversiamo... Let's cross over!

27, 28, 29, TURKEY!

2am and amidst the equanimity of my Rhodes hotel room, this entry is being woven into shape with ingenuous details and an extra push of Turkish delights. Having just sailed off from an hour and ten minutes ferry (Catamaran as they call it here!) ride from Marmaris to Rhodes, it is safe to assume that I will be dead tired as of this time from strolling around the southwestern-most point of Turkey. But nope, I'm wide awake as an angry bird raring to destroy multiple blocks to the very core and much to the amusement and addiction of its iphone user (where did that come from?!?!?).

Enough being said, Turkey is not exactly assonant to its Greek neighbor. Although my first instinct would tell me otherwise in regard to its proximity between the two Mediterranean countries, I began regarding Marmaris (or Turkey for that matter, sorry for the generalization) solely as a tourist hub for impervious and express holidays. Every corner resonates typical British holidays – enjoying the sun and not withstanding anything else. I reckon that more square meters had been allocated to self-catering villas and two and three star hotels in contrast with local houses and establishments. Not that I have an aversion to this apartments but it simply overshadowed the supposed Turkish charm that I was expecting to unravel at that point in time.

Nothing was sort of spectacular. It would have been a welcome change to see a coalesce of Moorish and Modern Architecture but instead I was greeted by the Marmaris Castle who looks more like an abandoned crack house rather than a prime tourist attraction. It was more of a viewing deck of the Marmaris harbor rather than a historical site. That 3 euros entrance fee was definitely not justifiable. To add insult to injury, the guy in the tourist information center totally snubbed me when I was inside in my attempt to ask for directions to the castle. He was deeply submerged into a telephone conversation. Nothing else mattered. It felt like I was wearing Harry Potter's cloak – invisible.

The bazaar was also synonymous to Turkey's despairing inuendo to save their ailing economy. Pushy sellers will rub you of any feasible euros/Turkish Liras (TL) – down to its last bit. A typical turkish lamp, for instance, will initially sell at 65 TL where in fact you could grab them at 40 TL or even less (my bargaining skills worked somehow). The bazaar and hundreds of restaurants resonates a Turkish desert and character – destitute and empty. But then again, I have never been to Istanbul or Ankra so this might just be an early and unfledged judgment.

I never, for one second, ascertained that I was in a safe place. The glances and accession of every local dweller will put Bin Laden's forces to shame. I was branded and called a “Jackie Chan of Marmaris” or greeted “Ni Hao” by merchants and residents alike. Evidently, Asians seldomly sojourned the place. Quite unsurprisingly, I found a sense of isolation and desolation in no time and I was hasting to go to back to Greece – where a more welcoming hand awaits me.

Overall, Turkey fails to deliver to the discerning tourist. And if I have ever been asked if I wanted to go back to Turkey, let's just say that I will just buy those lovely Turkish delights elsewhere in Mediterannean shops in London. In that case, I never really needed to waste 3 hours flying time – harsh but ardently true.

Rhodes: Mia Thési̱ Ston Ilio (A Place in the Sun)

When I think of Greece, I only think of two places to go: Athens and Santorini. Athens, being the capital will surely enamour every traveller with its ancient monuments and traditions. Having been known as a melting pot of civilization, it will satisfy anyone's penchant for Greek Mythology or anything Greek for that matter – from Greek food (the eat-until-you-feel-like-vomitting experience) to Greek luxury package holidays (read:all inclusive) to Greek “sizzling hot” men/women with aquiline noses and bodies that will surely guarantee not just a second but a third look.

On the other hand, Santorini is famed for its picturesque views that are jaw-dropping (Tagalog term: tulo-laway). Notable as the location for the Filipino movie “For the First Time” (yep, I watched this and im definitely jologs!), everyone who realized that I'm heading to Greece felt thwarted that I'm not goin' to Santorini (my twitter account can testify to this!).

Why Rhodes then? Well, I just came across the website at onthebeach.co.uk which really offered all-inclusive cheap holidays abroad and they suggested Rhodes. Being tired of city tours, I opted for a real vacation without the pressures of having to roam around the city with your limited time schedule. So like a lottery-type overturn of fortunes, Rhodes seemed to be reasonable and enticing enough to be the next leisure loco-motion. Unsurprisingly, they said its a second-rate island holiday for anyone who can't afford the more renown island of Santorini.

I despise this.

It exceeded my expectations. First, the Greek foods are to die for. I'm telling you that I absolutely hated vegetables or anythin healthy for that matter. But Greek foods are the only exception - just don't take off the feta cheese. In addition, gluttony is the name of the game with all-inclusive holidays where you get buffet meals three times a day (not to mention unlimited drinks/snacks/cocktails/booze).

And whoever thought that Asian hospitality is the best seriously needs to re-learn what that word really meant. Those smiles and welcoming/assisting hands are definitely not simulated. Add together the fact that they're down-to-earth good-looking (I hate people who know they're attractive and flaunt it!), it's a win-win situation.

Lastly, the combination of the Old Town's charm and New Town's ultramodern twist will give you that feel-good impression that will leave you coming back every afternoon for more (just hanging around the old-town plaza is gratifying in an unexplainable kind of way). In line with this, this place is just a hop, skip and ride away from all the great beaches and nearby islands (did I mention that I'm going to see Turkey tom?!?)

In the vein, this unassuming island ticks all the right boxes. Currently, I'm just writing this blog in the patio of our hotel room with great views of the mountain and the seaside, relaxing at 11pm with the most ideal weather you could ever imagine. There was an old emblem which states “The Glory that was Greece”. And then it hit me, whoever quoted this would have been in the same exact position that I am.