Backpacking in Belize 1983, Guyana 1990 and Ecuador 1997 -- It was unbelievable that I was on a jungle river in a torrid rain in Guyana. I felt compelled to look through the veil of water pouring down the front of my face and bouncing on the waves of the river. I watched the greenery glisten and dance with the rain. The thatched huts, barely discernible in the distance, looked like small fortresses. I breathed deeply. It was a privilege to feel and sense the culture-to observe. Here on the river, as in our other adventures, we would try to be as unobtrusive as possible . . . "Judi Lifton has written a charming memoir that transports readers to distant lands in A Glimpse of the Other Americas: A Backpacker's Memoir. I learned about destinations and cultures I would never have chosen to visit and felt like I had traveled in her footsteps, whether on a jungle river in the torrid Guyana rain or a dusty road in Ecuador. Her vivid writing style lets you feel and experience the journey without leaving the comfort of your home ... no backpack required. Two thumbs up for A Glimpse of the Other Americas." -Betty Weibel, author of The Ohio Literary Trail: A Guide