Forks: A Quest for Culture, Cuisine, and Connection: Three Years, Five Continents, One Motorcycle - Hardcover

by Allan Karl (Author)

Have you ever thought of quitting your job, selling your earthly belongings, and chucking the rest to travel the world? Allan Karl did just that. After waking up to the realization that his career and home life were not fulfilling, Allan decided it was time to make a change. But what? Allan looked at the forks in the road of his life as an opportunity to follow a lifelong dream and pursue his passions. He got on his motorcycle and traveled around the world. After three years and 62,000 miles of riding through 35 countries on five continents, Allan returned home only to set out on another journey. This new journey would be to share the truths he'd uncovered and the lessons learned during his adventure around the world. Allan shares the discoveries, cultures, and connections he made on this global adventure between these pages. Through stories, color photos, and the flavors of real, local food, FORKS brings his experience to life and the world to your table: the kindness of strangers, the beauty of humanity, the colors of culture, and the powerful gift of human connection. FORKS brings the world to your table: An around-the-world adventure story. A colorful photo book with more than 700 color photographs. A global cookbook with 40 signature recipes. "Even though I set out on his journey alone, I was never alone. If I found myself lost, lonely, or hungry, I would turn around and always find someone there." The real truth is that it's easy to connect with people--humanity--even in the most challenging situations: like when armed guerillas ordered him into the Colombian jungle at gunpoint, or when he crushed his leg in the middle of nowhere in Bolivia, or how he had to beg the governments of Syria and Sudan to let him across their borders. Every photograph, story, and recipe in this book presents readers with an opportunity to witness new cultures, taste exotic flavors, or journey into dangerous and unknown territories. Every experience is an opportunity to connect with others.

Author Biography

Allan Karl is a world traveler, adventurer, photographer, author, entrepreneur, TV host, and inspirational keynote speaker. With an insatiable passion for travel, culture, people, food, and wine, he has explored more than 75 countries on his motorcycle, photographing, writing, and blogging about them along the way. Allan inspires people to pursue dreams, overcome challenges, tackle obstacles, embrace change, and smile--especially in the face of adversity. And he knows how. For ten years, Allan has ridden his motorcycle alone all over our planet. On one continuous three-year solo journey around the world, armed guerillas marched him into the Colombian jungle at gunpoint, and he crushed his leg in the middle of nowhere in Bolivia and had to beg the governments of Syria and Sudan to let him across their borders. (Eventually, they gave in.) Allan is the principal of WorldRider Productions, where when not riding the world on his motorcycle, he shares his experiences through speaking, publishing, and coaching. Here he creates content that brings to life his stories and adventures from around the world--showing again and again how the discoveries he has made and the lessons learned can help all of us lead more rewarding lives. A dynamic and inspiring professional speaker, Allan shares his message with captivating storytelling and award-winning photography that touch themes of risk-taking, facing fear, embracing change, and personal growth. His stories highlight the importance of tolerance, openness, diversity, effective communication, and following dreams and pursuing passions.