Craig Calfee "Adventures" Book

The experiences of Craig Calfee during his "Walkabout" in 1983/1984.

A summer hitchhiking trip through Europe turns into an epic journey though the heart of Africa. Traveling on a shoestring, Calfee eventually finds his way back, outwitting pirates, con men and corrupt immigration officials. And then there's the challenge of crossing the Atlantic with almost no money. Yet throughout all the experiences, the hospitality and friendliness of the African people infects him forever, providing confidence that his later African bamboo bicycle projects will succeed. Calfee left art school in 1983 to go find real life experience for his art. He borrowed a camera and bought some black and white film. After immediately being detained upon arrival in London, he soon learned how to manage himself with authorities. By hitchhiking, rather than taking the train like most college students on holiday, he met a full spectrum of people: the WWII veteran in his new Rolls, the hippies going to celebrate at Stonehenge, the gay predators, the diplomatic courier, the variety of truck drivers with various motivations, the Eastern Europeans who just wanted to meet an American, etc. But things get even more exciting when he decides to extend his journey - against the wishes of his father, who makes it clear he would not be available to bail him out. Craig's mother, divorced from his dad, has no extra money but is encouraging nonetheless. So he gets a job as crew on a small sailboat headed for the Indian Ocean. With an alcoholic captain they survive rough seas, pirates, getting stuck on a reef and running out of food. Switching boats, Calfee lands in Kenya with about $350 left. He makes his way by truck, Land Rover and riverboat through Kenya, Uganda, Zaire (The Congo) Central African Republic and Cameroon. Battling intestinal problems, various petty criminals and a few corrupt officials, he also enjoys endless hospitality and opportunities to see the real lives of African people. He meets a variety of hearty souls traveling for adventure and sharing incredible experiences. How does he finally make it back home? What kind of work did he find to survive? What about that side trip up the Amazon? Calfee's story has already inspired several of his friends to embark on similar journeys. The reader will undoubtedly find the book hard to put down as each new chapter brings a new experience. The photos offer some rustic imagery that fills out the narrative. But it's the people he meets that are the real story.