When We Were Strolling Players in the East

A vivid memoir that transports listeners straight into the bustling ports, fragrant markets, and quiet pagodas of the East, this narrative blends personal reflection with a keen eye for detail. The author’s love for the region shines through each page, offering an affectionate portrait of its peoples—quirky, charming, and endlessly picturesque—while the accompanying illustrations invite the imagination to linger on everything from Ceylonese mat‑weavers to Burmese theatrical troupes.

The journey begins in Colombo, where the narrator steps off a coaling ship into a kaleidoscope of native boats and bustling docks, feeling the same awe that has sustained travelers for centuries. Through the eyes of a mother traveling with young children, the story captures the sensory overload of bright colors, unfamiliar sounds, and spontaneous generosity of locals offering fruit to curious infants. It’s a warm, lyrical invitation to explore distant lands without ever leaving the comfort of your listening chair.