Title: Mountains, Radio Waves and a Love Letter
Author: Shinji Yoshikawa
Publisher: Leadstart
Genre: Travelogue
First Publication: 2023
Language: English
Book Summary: Mountains, Radio Waves and a Love Letter by Shinji Yoshikawa
As time went by and I was about to turn fifty, I could only take three or four days off at the most. I have learned to use this as an excuse to “buy time with money”. It sounds poetic, but it’s just a fixed way of thinking that makes you give up on the details and hassles which you may encounter. It stuck in my mind like a fatty piece of meat does to your belly and finally, I couldn’t get rid of it. But what do I do with the time I have saved? The answer is “nothing special”.
The author, Shinji Yoshikawa, has been a company employee for 25 years and realized with 50 knocking on the door, that he had never traveled alone since he became a family man, and lived and journeyed with his wife and daughters. But during the Christmas holiday in 2018, he got 4 consecutive days off from his hardworking time in a Mexican-Japanese company. A rare treat indeed. The destination he chose was “Evergreen Ranch” in Chiapas, Mexico, where travelers mainly from Europe and North America are competing for booking one of their only two rooms.
Do you need radio waves, schools, or sophisticated infrastructure to enjoy life? Did you ever imagine how horses would react to your words? What is your priority when you travel? These are some of the questions you encounter when you dive into the whole story. This travelogue depicts the entire experience of spending time at a guesthouse with a perfect TripAdvisor rating.
Book Review: Mountains, Radio Waves and a Love Letter by Shinji Yoshikawa
When it comes to travel, many of us have preconceived notions about what we should do, where we should go, and how we should experience it. But what if we took a step back and allowed ourselves to simply be present in the moment, without expectations or agendas? This is exactly what author Shinji Yoshikawa did when he embarked on a solo trip to Chiapas, Mexico. This journey is chronicled in his travelogue “Mountains, Radio Waves and a Love Letter.”
Nestled deep in the Chiapas mountains lies a hidden gem called the Evergreen Ranch, where travelers from all over the world seek refuge from the humdrum of modern life. It was here that Shinji Yoshikawa, a seasoned company employee, embarked on a journey of self-discovery that forever changed his perspective on life.
For years, Shinji had lived a life filled with the daily grind of work and familial responsibilities, never having traveled solo since becoming a family man. But with his fiftieth birthday rapidly approaching, he yearned for something more, something different. So, when he was granted four consecutive days off from his job in a Mexican-Japanese company during the Christmas holidays, he seized the opportunity and chose the Evergreen Ranch as his destination.
What followed was a journey filled with adventure and self-reflection, where Shinji contemplated the essential aspects of life and found himself in the company of majestic horses and the tranquil beauty of nature. In Mountains, Radio Waves, and a Love Letter, Shinji invites readers on his remarkable journey to the Evergreen Ranch, a place where one can escape the trappings of modernity and reconnect with oneself.
But beyond the physical journey, Yoshikawa’s book also delves into deeper themes of life and purpose. As Shinji recounts his experiences at the ranch, he raises critical questions about the importance of modern-day amenities and infrastructure in our lives. Is it necessary to have access to radio waves and sophisticated infrastructure to enjoy life, or can we find joy in the simple things that nature has to offer? These are the thought-provoking questions that Shinji contemplates as he wanders the ranch’s rugged terrain and spends time with its majestic horses.
Shinji’s writing style is analytical and introspective, punctuated by moments of pure creativity and imagination. His use of uncommon terminology adds a touch of originality to the content, and his conversational tone of voice makes the reader feel like they are in the midst of a compelling conversation with a close friend.
In this book, Shinji Yoshikawa has created an unforgettable travelogue that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. Yoshikawa’s willingness to embrace the unknown and let go of expectations is a lesson that we can all learn from. Whether you are an avid traveler or simply seeking a thought-provoking read, this book is well worth your time. With vivid descriptions and captivating imagery, Mountains, Radio Waves, and a Love Letter is a must-read for anyone seeking to escape the monotony of everyday life and reconnect with the beauty of nature.
