The Universal Language.

Thank all of you who’ve dropped me a note over the last couple months inquiring as to what’s next with WorldRider. I am happy to report I’m safe and staying warm, albeit wet for the past few weeks, in Southern California.

I gave a presentation to a group not long ago and during the question and answer session I was asked a loaded question. One that I thought I’d share here. The question was multilayered and focused on what were the most important things I brought with me that without them my journey would’ve been much more difficult. And in the same breath was asked if at anytime I felt in danger and what did I bring to keep myself from trouble.

Almost instinctively I first acknowledged that the most important thing I packed on my trip was patience. For without it, it would’ve been hard to make any progress. Too many of us tend to get used to our own expectations. It’s those expectations and the failure to realize them that causes frustration, anger and ill will. As for what did I use when I felt in danger, threatened or in a compromising situation? I brought the cheapest, lightest and frankly, most powerful weapon known to mankind. My smile. Not only does it transcend language, culture and political borders, it’s so easy to use. Though I know some people might need a bit of training or practice in using it. Trust me. It’s the universal language. And it works. I touch on these things in greater detail and in context with stories in my upcoming book.

The good news is that things are progressing nicely my two book projects. These should hit the bookstore shelves this summer. Two books? Yes. My travelogue adventure and discovery story tentatively titled “From the Boardroom to Bolivia and Beyond,” is an exciting story of personal quest and adventure and explores the motivation of my three-year journey, my resignation from the company I founded, divorce and many lessons and discoveries along with the and nail biting adventure and challenge of my journey including finding myself in the jungle with two Colombian guerillas through the tragic injury in the middle of nowhere on the Bolivian Altiplano and to my journey home.

Yet it seems it’s the second book that’s gaining all the attention. For regular followers of my journeys, you’ll remember that I had an epiphany a few months after returning from my journey. And that was after cooking a casual meal for good friends consisting of some of my favorite foods from my journey — a moqueca from Brazil and an amazing Syrian salad. It was Bonnie’s casual suggestion “Allan you should do a cookbook,” that triggered this adventuring in cooking and food from around the world. The book includes some 30 recipes from most of the countries I visited. The book is designed to be an adventure and exploration in food, culture and geography. Thank you to all my friends from all over the world who’ve helped me track down recipes from those amazing local meals I enjoyed.

We’re in the middle of photographing the food and our first batch includes recipes from Brasil, Syria, Turkey, Zambia, Rwanda, Uganda and Peru. Some time this spring I’ll post a few of the recipes so you can try out the food. But you’ll have to wait for the book to truly immerse yourself in the experience.

Many have asked if I’ll be giving any public presentations this winter. As many of you know, I’ve been getting booked for a number of corporate meetings and conferences. These are typically prvate and closed events. However, I’m working with BMW to see we can’t organize a mini-tour of dealers throughout the states. Ask your BMW dealer if they’ve received the notice from BMW corporate.