Remember when most of the planet was shut down? When we weren’t allowed to travel, a prohibition that was triggered by a microscopic virus? People spent hours lamenting canceled plans, rescheduling flights and hotels, re-rescheduling those arrangements, and then, with nothing left to do but wait for COVID to release its arresting hold, forcing our wanderlust to hide away until the coast was clear. Fast-forward to 2022, and restrictions have lifted enough for Jeremiah A. Gilbert and his wife to globetrot once again. From Fiji to Denmark and London to Berlin, On to Plan C: A Return to Travel is an expansive travelogue and photographic memory book of a return to travel following the COVID-era global shutdowns. Travel can be as rewarding as it is rigorous, and the author’s personal experiences run the gamut of both. Airport hassles and high-pressure salespeople are balanced with cultural enlightenment and majestic views. Crippling physical pain and the dramatic side effects of medications are tempered with festive Christmas markets and historic places of worship. With a spirit of adventure and eagerness, Gilbert shows the value of being adaptable and always, always having a plan B, or C!
Jeremiah A. Gilbert has a wry sense of humor, an acute awareness of how his money is spent, and a raw talent and eye for sublime photography. These qualities form the bedrock of On to Plan C: A Return to Travel. Although the narration is prosaic and unduly detailed, the places Gilbert sees and the adventures he enjoys are enough to have you booking plane tickets to your own exotic destinations. Attention is given to how the world has shifted in the wake of COVID, a comparison audiences will be curious to see firsthand. The author’s meticulous road map of his own journey lays a solid foundation for any who might follow in his globe-trotting footsteps. Everything from the process of exchanging money to choosing a restaurant is thoroughly explained and then vibrantly brought to life by means of scores of images taken while on location. The photographs skillfully capture local architecture and natural beauty while revealing a pronounced sense of artistry and craftsmanship that radiates from behind the lens. No average vacation photo collection, these are some of the most storytelling, poignant, and gorgeous destination photographs I’ve ever seen. Beckoning readers to get out and explore, On to Plan C is a beautiful book that proves just how much color there is in the world.
