Cover Story Leigh's memoir from the heart Maleny author and journalist Leigh Robshaw lived in South America and Mexico for more than three years in the 1990s and has written a memoir about her experiences, which is due for publication this Thursday, August 15. In the book, ‘You Had Me at Hola, In search of love and truth in South America’, Leigh details her experiences living with a Peruvian artisan and selling jewellery in streets and squares spanning Peru to Mexico. Despite negative stereotypes about Latin Americans proliferating in the US, Leigh says they are some of the friendliest and most hospitable people on the planet and are not to be feared. “Every time I hear President Trump make demeaning, inaccurate comments about Mexicans and other Latin American cultures, my blood boils,” she said. “Calling them dirty is just plain wrong. I lived with some of the poorest Mexicans and not only did they take great pride in their homes, their children were clean and well cared for. “They welcomed me into their lives and shared what little they had with me and I found the same hospitality from Argentina to Brazil and throughout Central America.
While parts of South and Central America can be dangerous, with drug cartels and gang violence prevalent in some countries, she says it shouldn’t be seen as a destination for travellers to avoid. “Machu Picchu, Iguazu Falls, the Amazon, the Galapagos Islands, Carnival in Brazil, the Mayan and Aztec pyramids – there are so many iconic places and events to experience in Latin America and it would be a shame for people to strike it off their bucket lists due to the bad press coming out of the States,” Ms Robshaw said. “I travelled very rough, sometimes sleeping on beaches and mixing with unscrupulous people. I had a couple of close calls but that was my own stupid fault for venturing into dangerous territory. Fortunately, I came out unscathed with lifelong memories. “I really hope my book gives people some insight into the true nature of the place and its wonderful people, and encourages anyone with a love of exotic, exciting places to plan their own adventure to Latin America. Lord knows, they could do with the tourism dollars,” she said. ‘You Had Me at Hola, In search of love and truth in South America’ is available from Thursday at Rosetta Books in Maleny or from www.leighrobshaw.net.
G lasshouse P roperty Sales Free Appraisals & Market Information Over 10 years selling in the local area Honest, professional approach Excellent local knowledge
0429 405 109 Vacuum Excavation Trucks • Pothole Locating • Strip Trenching • Slurry Cleanups • Jetting Pipes
Brett Tipper 0404 840 291
www.vacx.com.au
brett@vacx.com.au
RED BROWN & BLACK ASPHALT Call Joseph 5478 9834 Mob 0402 932 159 DRIVEWAYS CARPARKS TENNIS COURTS GRAVEL ROADS
38 YRS EXP
MACHINE & HAND LAID HOTMIX ASPHALT
SATISFACTION ASSURED FREE QUOTE
411 HIGHLANDS RD EUDLO FAX 5478 9627 www.asphaltbaseconstruction.com.au
Personalise your home with Custom Made Quality Plantation Shutters Free re measuuote and qour in y e hom
• Quality Custom Made Shutters to suit your home • Available in PVC, Timber and Aluminium • Can be sliding, hinged or bi-folding • Suitable for doors, windows and patios • Choose from a large range of colours and stains • Do just one room or your whole home • Call now for a free consultation
To view our range of fabrics visit our showroom or call to arrange an in home consultation.
5494 6898
Turner Park Shopping Centre 5/21 Peachester Rd Beerwah
Bee loca rwah l sin 198 ce 9
www.customcurtains.com.au
Blinds Awnings Curtains Shutters Security Umbrellas Glasshouse Country & Maleny News
3
