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Rick Steves : Gonzo Traveler
There is a certain mutual agreement that occurs when a person decides to pick a guidebook for exploring an exotic country. Though simply purchasing an adequate guidebook may seem like a completely ordinary thing to do in preparation for a trip, what the traveler is doing transcends the conventional reader/author bond because they are actually using the book as a literal guide. The traveler is putting their trust in a group of strangers to lead them upon a pathway full of not only entertainment and aesthetic leisure, but also the opportunities to experience the culture of a world distinctive from theirs. However, some guidebooks tend to highlight only the most basic and superficial opportunities for travelers and glide over cultural secrets in favor of leading them to destinations that are purely for the wealthy, pleasure-seeking tourist. One guidebook that deviates from this is to Rick Steves' Ireland. His voice is one of a humorous adventurer who is not afraid to put forth his own opinions and biases, yet concretely offers the reader some wisdom and background on the beauties of Ireland.
When seen from the outside, Rick Steves' Ireland seems like it will be a typical guidebook that only offers information on restaurants and tourist traps. The front cover features a glossy panorama of an Irish cottage while the back has a typical travel portrait of Rick Steves saluting the reader with a pint of beer as if saying "I know most people only go to Ireland to get alcohol poisoning, I'll show you the best pubs and hospitals!" Once opened, I realized my initial judgment was completely wrong. I realized this when, flipping through the entire contents in a once-over, I saw that there was a lack of sprawling portraits of the location's most popular attractions that seem to dominate most guidebooks. When it does show pictures, which is a rarity in itself, they are not colorful or glossy, just snippets of larger scenery, teasing the reader just enough to pique their interest in the hinted vista. Though Rick Steves does eloquently describe the calming scenery of Ireland through his descriptive words, the fact that there are so few pictures means that he is encouraging me to stop looking at places through another person's eyes and see it for myself, taking in the landscape on my own accord.
After gauging some factors of the book as a whole, the audience the guidebook was trying to reach quickly became evident. Some of the more superficial factors, like the price of book being roughly 23 dollars and the size of the guide being too large for a pocket but the right size for a backpack or bag, meant it is within the realm of an economically comfortable person's budget and is geared towards those who may be travelling with all of their belongings. When it comes to content, since Rick frequently gives anecdotes on events of his travel and his private thoughts on a cultural ritual, he obviously speaks as a singular traveler who is keeping notes on his experience and, therefore, allows himself to relate more with that group. Furthermore, his book is for a relatively seasoned traveler in Europe, as he uses the metric system when describing distance. In an interview with USA Today, Steves described himself as an inquisitive traveler instead of one seeking relaxation. This definitely carries over in his guide where, even though he does add some popular tourist spots, like kissing the Blarney Stone, he goes into less recognized areas, such as a local jazz pub that would only be found by chance, giving him credibility as an ever curious adventurer. With all of these elements in mind, the general traveler who would benefit the most from the book would be an individual, economically middle-class, culture-thirsty, relatively-seasoned traveler who is not afraid to deviate from the treaded path. All of these factors appeal to me and I can honestly say this guide would be my top pick as an informative travel companion in Ireland.
One of the only problems I found with Rick Steves' Ireland is that he tends to lean towards the cities as centers of culture instead of rural areas. Rural exploration only covers about 35 % of the guide and the most content is found within the major cities and towns. This is compounded by the guide's foldout map, highlighting some of his favorite spots, which are predominately within urban areas. In this way, he appeals to a more modern traveler who may be accustomed to contemporary urban settings, but nevertheless keeps from some of the roots of Ireland. However, this is not be taken completely negatively since the cityscapes he describes offer a special blend of history and progress, as a one hundred year old pub in a metropolitan area can still serve as a concrete example of Irish culture. Furthermore, the rural areas of Ireland are not something that can be described within a few pages of text. Rick Steves frequently adds a few words on the scenery of the spaces in between the towns and cities, but steadfastly admits that is something that can only be seen for oneself.
I found that the more I read the book, the more it became less of a guidebook and more of Rick Steves' own travel log. I realized that since the actual text is solely in black and white, it gives the guidebook a novel-like quality. This quality became most evident when I skimmed through sections of recommended hotels and bed-and-breakfasts. Not only did Rick Steves focus mainly on family-owned inns that are within the budget of a single traveler, he also described the actual people running the establishments. He mentioned one innkeeper as a talented saxophone player in a local jazz house band and another family as being the warmest, most stubborn people he had ever met. It is almost as if Rick is introducing the traveler to the true Ireland; it's people. He is leading the traveler in his wake. These bold choices, coupled with short breaks in the guide detailing Rick Steves' own thoughts and descriptions of the atmosphere he is experiencing, transforms the book from a mainstream guide book into a type of personal diary. Though this may be stretching it, the book almost becomes a journal found in an old attic or antique shop, full of personal wisdom and even a few blank pages for the reader's own journey. It transcends the understanding between person and guidebook and becomes a deeper bond between storyteller and listener.
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You can count on Rick Steves to tell you what you really need to know when traveling in Ireland. With this guide, you can explore lively Dublin, quaint Kilkenny, and the moss-draped ruins of the Ring of Kerry. Navigate meandering back roads that lead to windswept crags on the dramatic Dingle Peninsula. Explore Ireland's revered past by following St. Patrick's footsteps to the Rock of Cashel. Marvel at Newgrange, the mysterious mound older than the pyramids; then connect with today's Irish culture by grabbing a pint at the local pub, enjoying the fiddle music, and jumping into conversations that buzz with brogue. Rick's candid, humorous advice will guide you to good-value hotels and restaurants. He'll help you plan where to go and what to see, depending on the length of your trip. You'll get up-to-date recommendations on what is worth your time and money. More than just reviews and directions, a Rick Steves guidebook is a tour guide in your pocket.
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