Andean Adventures

An Unexpected Search for Meaning, Purpose and Discovery Across Three Countries

By: Allan J. "Alonzo" Wind

Narrated by: Allan J. "Alonzo" Wind

As he traveled through and lived in Ecuador, Bolivia, and Peru, the newly re-named “Doctor” Alonzo found himself surrounded by indigenous peasant leaders and communities in raucous tribal celebrations, social movements for change, wonders of nature, and marvels of human kindness and romance while hitchhiking to the very tip of South America and its glaciers and penguins. But also sometimes unexpected dangers - near-death illness in the jungle, getting shot at in a police-military crossfire, an arrest and detention behind bars by an anti-American colonel looking to jail some gringos, tear gas, and police truncheons from Nazi-influenced fascists in Chile, terrorist car bombs in Peru, and an expulsion order by a drugs and thugs US Ambassador in Bolivia when he got in the way of illicit spying.

Listen to his Andean Adventures to begin a journey of discovery and insight today! Storytelling interwoven with a memoir of public health, community development service, and spiritual discovery overseas in Peace Corps and nongovernmental organizations and USAID, sharing with self-deprecating humor experiences across the Andes and Latin America. Full of anecdotes and some remarkable stories from South American countries.

Reflecting on the role and structure of foreign assistance, on religion, and on other topics many of us spend time questioning and dealing with. For some, a provocative discussion and meditation on searching for meaning and purpose after college. A story of successes, failures, redemption, challenges, faith, and perseverance.

“Doctor Alonzo” writes with humor and wisdom, and shares his amazing journey, from his Peace Corps days through the beginning of his career with the US Agency for International Development. Recorded and narrated by the author.

©2020 Allan J. "Alonzo" Wind (P)2021 Allan J. "Alonzo" Wind

Enjoyable read

I enjoy books by people who have lived and worked in other countries. My interest in this book came about because of the mention of Peace Corps (PC) Ecuador. Like Allan, I too was a PC volunteer in Ecuador (Omnibus 57-58). His words bring back fond memories of Ecuador.
Allan writes about his experiences in Ecuador in the early 1980’s. His experience was overall positive and opened further opportunities to live and work in South America. I appreciate that he told his story in a deeply reflective and honest manner.
It is a “finding your life purpose” story which includes personal experiences, romantic & spiritual, that add insight into him finding his path forward. His professional experiences are told in an interesting manner.

It was enjoyable listening to the author read his own words.

A Man's Life

This book was interesting. My thoughts regarding this book are very much a dichotomy. On one hand, I enjoyed the personal anecdotes, but then there were times I thought there was too much descriptive information given. I enjoyed the fresh look that Allan presented in his descriptions of the countries and people that he met on his life's journey, but at times I thought the story was too glib in the details. Allan mentioned his spiritual discovery and how he has read many books on the subject, but he doesn't explain what actually caused his thinking to change regarding religion. Allan J "Alonzo" Wind's narration was fine. I was given a free copy of the audiobook and I have voluntarily left this review.