On a recent visit to Boise, Idaho a friend suggested that we visit the main library as it has a room where they sell donated books and magazines. In addition to some very good books, they had the most marvelous old magazine selection. I immediately spotted several National Geographic Magazines from the 1940’s (Jan 1941, Jan 1943 and Oct 1946) and purchased them.
Each is a fascinating look not only at travel but also at history. The January 1941 magazine has 7 articles, including stories about Winchester, England’s Early Capital, a British West Indian Interlude and the Flame-Feathered Flamingos of Florida. Two of the articles feature color photos. It’s fascinating comparing these magazines to a current National Geographic.
A favorite article is “Turning Back Time in the South Seas” by Thor Heyerdahl, of Kon-Tiki fame. He and his wife spent several months living on the sparsely inhabited island of Fatu-Hiva, in the Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia. The black and white photos and captivating story transported me to a different time and place.
I’ve visited both Tahiti and Fiji and love the South Pacific. It was eye-opening seeing it through their perspective and I thoroughly enjoyed being immersed in their exotic adventures in this remote part of our world.
Another article, “Classic Greece Merges Into 1941 News” has 19 illustrations of Greece. The photos show ancient Greece merging with the Greece of 1941, which was under attack by Italy. I studied Greek history and it was the first European country I visited. It holds many marvelous memories (especially Athens and Delphi), made more so after seeing these incredible photos of a beautiful country.
Check out your library or used book stores for ideas for your journeys, both real and armchair. The articles and photos that you find will conjure up future travels and/or have you reminiscing about previous journeys. Plus they are a gateway to exploring the history of an area you wish to visit.
Savor your journeys … past, present and future …
