Paul Theroux Quotes

In Turkey it was always 1952, in Malaysia 1937; Afghanistan was 1910 and Bolivia 1949. It is twenty years ago in the Soviet Union, ten in Norway, five in France. It is always last year in Australia and next week in Japan.

Like a lower form of life, like the cross-eyed planarian or squashed amoeba, the sort of creature that can’t die even when it is cut to pieces.

I went to Vietnam to take the train: people have done stranger things in that country.

Nothing happens in Burma, but then nothing is expected to happen.

Extensive travelling induces a feeling of encapsulation, and travel, so broadening at first, contracts the mind.