I am so happy to have stumbled upon the Travelers’ Tales series. I love short works, and in a few hours, I am taken around the world. Travelers’ Tales books never disappoint. There is always an interesting character or experience. The latest book I read was the Best Travelers’ Tales 2004. One of my favorite stories in this collection was "Mohammed Ali, Ear Cleaner" by Brad Newsham, a story about an Indian man who can make people hear better than they ever have.

"Walking the Kerry Way" by Tim O’Reilly is a story of brothers who come to understand their father’s spirituality while hiking in Ireland.

"In the Kitchen with Yuyo" by Augusto Andres is a story about an eager kitchen assistant who wants to learn to cook authentic Mexican food from a real Mexican grandmother. The author has a "Like Water for Chocolate" dream of what a Mexican kitchen should be. He is frustrated when Yuyo won’t let him write down steps as they cook, but son learns that the why of cooking is more important than the how.

Ed Readicher-Henderson goes on a pilgrimage to Shikoku, a part of Japan the Japanese don’t go to. "It was like New Yorkers talking about New Jersey," he says. Instead, he finds settai, the idea that by helping a traveler you are also on a journey.

This book is a must have for world-travelers, daydreamers, and escapists with 28 stories sure to scratch the wanderer itch.