After losing his wife of forty-three years to cancer, Irvin Peckham pursued an unusual coping mechanism – a roughly 8,518-mile roundtrip from New Jersey to Panama with his newly-adopted dog, Lola. He had exhausted other methods of managing his loneliness, so when he was handed the opportunity to house-sit a friend’s 15-acre Panamanian property for a month, he seized it. His experiences, ranging from tremendously challenging to wholly peaceful, are detailed in his 2023 memoir, Viajando sin Mapas (Traveling Without Maps). Within its pages, he offers an intimate exploration of loneliness and the freedom found in getting lost.
“I write because I love to feel the words rolling out under my fingers.”
The writing style in Viajando sin Mapas is akin to a journal. The book, being a memoir, was written in the first person point-of-view, with short and matter-of-fact sentences. Although some readers may prefer a more elegant prose, the writing style is fitting – journaling was an important activity to Peckham throughout his journey, and he undoubtedly relied on his entries when writing Viajando. Although occasionally repetitive, Peckham succeeded in painting a detailed, beautiful, and sometimes humorous landscape of Mexico and Central America as seen through the eyes of a 73-year-old American man.
“In a way, I liked getting lost. It was part of the adventure.”
The title of Peckham’s book is apt, as he discovers a curious map shortage after leaving the United States. Other issues arise throughout his journey, from frustrating language barriers and destructive potholes to torrential rains and nefarious border crossings. Occasionally, Peckham makes decisions that heighten his vulnerability, such as attempting to cross borders with a stash of marijuana hidden in his car or recklessly jumping into a stranger’s truck on the outskirts of a Mexican town. The plot does occasionally slow, but the story is a real-life travelog: It isn’t obligated to keep the reader perfectly engaged at all times. You are accompanying Peckham (and his cute canine companion) on the entire ride, including the more mundane or uncomfortable moments.
“My grief over losing Sarah was real, an earthquake. Since then, all my dramas have been pebbles in the water.”
Each harrowing experience highlights one of the central themes in Viajando sin Mapas: acceptance of the unknown. Peckham travels many paths that divert him from the main road, but as he continues to survive his detours, he realizes that if an incorrect route “will lead to your death, that’s all right. You had no guarantees coming into this world, and you have no guarantees on your exit (pp. 102-3).” Peckham’s drive back to the U.S. is notably more relaxed, partly due to his improved “survival Spanish,” but mostly because he fully embraces the unknown. Getting lost becomes a “part of the adventure.”
“I had been learning how to live by myself, but I hadn’t really cut loose, heading out to where no one knew me.”
Peckham accomplished his goal during his three-month-long trip. Interesting people entered and exited Peckham’s life, but his thoughts were his most steadfast company. He eagerly absorbed the diverse cultures and natural beauty of Mexico and Central America without the distraction of another human traveling companion. His emotions were expressed more often through journaling than through conversations with other people. He truly learned to be alone and embrace the unknown.
You might like Viajando sin Mapas (Traveling Without Maps) if you enjoy:
- Memoirs
- Traveling and/or camping
- Books about grief, loss, and/or loneliness
- 1st person POV, diary-style writing
- Roadtrip stories
Buy a copy of Viajando sin Mapas (Traveling Without Maps) at the following links:
Check out the synopsis and reviews on Goodreads
Follow the author, Irvin Peckham, on Instagram
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