Tortillas to Totems: Sidetracked by the Unexpected

Tortillas to Totems: Sidetracked by the Unexpected
Author: Sam Manicom
Edition year: 2010
HorizonsUnlimited description:

Sam Manicom’s fourth book, which is based on his partner Birgit’s diaries, takes the reader exploring through Mexico, the United States and Canada. Lands that Sam feared would be relatively ordinary after over six years riding the roads of developing countries in Africa, Asia and South America. He’d worried that there’d be few of the challenges or the dramas that had kept his ‘guardian angel’ working overtime for so many years.

The Oxford English dictionary says, ‘Culture Shock. A disorientation felt by a person subjected to an unfamiliar way of life.’  Sam understood this. After all, wasn’t this part of the main reason for going travelling on a motorcycle? To experience as many different things and ways of life as possible. To have preconceived ideas challenged?

Birgit, having hitch-hiked and bused through America when she was younger, rode those first weeks waiting and watching for North America to work its magic on Sam.

Just a few weeks in, Sam realised that he’d been wrong to be so worried that the continent would be rather tame; his preconceived ideas were more than challenged. In part because after those six years on the road he faced a reverse culture shock; he hadn’t anticipated just how different things were going to be.

Sam wrote, ‘The cultures and countries of North America are so varied and so full of surprises that they are just as fascinating, and just as much a challenge to the traveller as the most rugged countries in the third world. Being on motorcycles was a key factor. The freedom the motorcycles gave us to roam to our hearts’ content through the three nations of this continent was of phenomenal value.’

HorizonsUnlimited reviews:

Motorcycling the magnificent landscapes of Mexico, the USA and Canada. 'Sidetracked by the Unexpected' 'One of the World's leading Motorcycle Authors' - Motorcycle Sport and Leisure 'Sam's descriptions are in Technicolor.' - The Riders Digest 'Inspirational reading.' - World of BMW 'Superbly entertaining travel writing.' - BM Riders Club 'Few travel writers can conjure up sights and smells so provocatively as Sam.' - Daily Record - Scotland Signed copies available directly from the Author at: www.sam-manicom.com Order your copy now!


We accept no responsibility for any of the above information in any way whatsoever. You are reminded to do your own research. Any commentary is strictly a personal opinion of the person supplying the information and is not to be construed as an endorsement of any kind.



 

Member login

Are you an Overland Adventure Traveller?

Does the smell of spices wafting through the air make you think of Zanzibar, a cacophony of honking horns is Cairo, or a swirl of brilliantly patterned clothing Guatemala? Then this is the site for you!
Hosted by Grant and Susan Johnson, RTW 1987-1998

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

  • California: April 18-21
  • Virginia: April 25-28
  • Germany Summer: May 9-12
  • Québec: May 17-19
  • Bulgaria Mini: July 5-7
  • CanWest: July 11-14
  • Switzerland: August 15-18
  • Ecuador: August 23-25
  • Romania: August 30-Sept 1
  • Austria: September 12-15
  • France: September 20-22
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 31-Nov 3

2025:

  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025!
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • France: September 19-21 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 

HU Achievable Dream is Online
and available now to stream on Vimeo!

ALL 15 chapters of the HU Achievable Dream Guide are available to download on Vimeo!

Achievable Dream - The Whole Enchilada!

Binge watch over 18 hours of inspiring, informative and entertaining stories and tips from 150 travellers!

"a cross between entertaining stories, tech tips, and reference guide"

"A timeless introduction to Motorcycle Adventure Travel!"

Originally launched as a 7 DVD set, The Achievable Dream series can now be downloaded anywhere. OVER 18 hours of solid info take up zero space in your panniers. How convenient!

Books

amazon

All the best travel books and videos listed and often reviewed on HU's famous Books page. Check it out and get great travel books from all over the world.
NOTE: As an Amazon Affiliate we earn from qualifying purchases - thanks for your help supporting HU when you start from an HU Amazon link!