Travel Quote by Paul Theroux
““What I remembered most clearly about this Jinja road was that on portions of it, for reasons no one could explain, butterflies settled in long fluffy tracts. There might be eighty feet of road carpeted by white butterflies, so many of them that if you drove too fast your tires lost their grip, and some people lost their lives, skidding on butterflies.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Great Railway Bazaar, Paul Theroux, 1975
A vivid travel memory where a road was covered in butterflies, creating a beautiful yet dangerous scene.
In simple terms: Butterflies covered the road, making it both stunning and hazardous.
Key Takeaway
Beware of beauty that can become a hazard.
Themes
travel
nature
danger
beauty
perception
Mood
awe
danger
wonder
Type
descriptive
narrative
travelogue
When to use this quote
- road trips
- photography
- environmental awareness
- risk assessment
Key Concepts
ecology
human perception
risk
visual metaphor
Questions to Reflect On
- How does beauty affect our sense of safety?
- When have you ignored warning signs because of awe?
A Different Perspective
The description may romanticize danger, overlooking practical safety concerns.
