Cowboys and Catalans

I’ve never given much real thought to taking off and traveling through Europe until I read Charles Sizemore’s first literary publication, “Cowboys and Catalans – A Texan Rambles Through Europe.”
Born and raised in Dallas, Sizemore is a full time financial analyst and part time world traveler.
But prior to taking a full-time position with Harry S. Dent, the twenty something author takes off to the London School of Economics for a master’s degree, and finds his focus is quickly taken from school and directed towards the women, bars and sights of Europe.
Reading the book feels like reading letters sent home from a good friend.
The reader is caught living vicariously through the Texas Christian University graduate as he travels across the continent and studies in London for a year.
Humor and adventure abound as Sizemore learns about Roman debauchery first hand, realizes the difficulties in riding the Eurail and dates an Iraqi girl -- shortly after the American invasion of her home country.
One night we stepped into an Irish pub to get out of the cold. I ordered two Stellas and walked to the table where Leyla was already sitting.
“You hear that?” I asked, pointing to the Irish band in the corner. “They’re singing Pancho and Lefty. That sounds weird in an Irish accent.”
“What’s Pancho and Left?”
“You know, the Willie Nelson song.”
Leyla:
“Never mind. I guess that one didn’t make it across the desert.”
It was a bit surreal to be sitting with an Arab in a London pub hearing an Irish band play Willie. I pondered this while I waited at the bar for another Stella.
The book flows and reads with ease, other than a few spots where Sizemore takes the opportunity to share the extended history of the places he’s visiting.
I’m not saying it was a bad decision to do so -- I personally enjoyed it -- but I can think of numerous friends who will be attracted to the stories of beer and women and likely skim over or stop reading anything to do with history.
Sizemore spends much of his time overseas with his newly acquired Spanish companions and the time spent in Spain and with them were some of the most enjoyable and heartfelt reads in the book.
He also realizes quickly the misconceptions many Europeans have about Texans and at times takes advantage of the stereotype, traveling the country in a well worn pair of Cowboy boots.
Not having traveled overseas myself, I can only imagine the enjoyment this book might be to anyone who’s traveled to Europe on their own, but regardless, it’s a great read even for those who have only considered traveling to visit our European neighbors.
“Cowboys and Catalans,” 2006 iUniverse; $19.95 at Amazon.com and other major booksellers.