Adventure Divas by Holly Morris

Calling someone a diva nowadays is usually considered an insult. It insinuates the person is spoiled, pampered, difficult, someone such as singer Mariah Carey. A person whose idea of “adventure” might be which 5 star restaurant they would dine at. So it was the title, as well as the scuffed hiking boots on the cover, that drew me to Holly Morris’ book.
Morris’ definition of a diva is closer to the original meaning of the word, which conveyed a strong, independent woman. And the ones portrayed in her book certainly fit that meaning. Originally intended as a companion to Morris’ PBS series of the same name, it also expanded to record some of the author’s own adventures.
The show’s “…mission was to seek out ‘unsung’ folks whose work is driven by personal passion not ‘achievement’ status.” Women such as Maori activist Hinewehi in NZ, Ruchira Gupta the documentary filmaker who opened Apne Aap, a shelter to rescue those in sex trafficking in India or Zahra Moussavi, who started a taxicab company with women drivers transporting their fellow Iranian women. It’s not just organizational people, it’s also an all girl rap group in Cuba(Instinto) or the first woman to summit Mt. Everest(Bachendri Pal). Those and the others portrayed have all found the courage to go against prevailing cultures and governments to express inner visions and make the world a better place.
Morris also writes of her non-Diva journeys; a camel race in Niger, trailing Penau hunters in the Sarawak jungle and climbing the Matterhorn. Her funny comments and self-depreciation downplays the dangers she faces, a different tack than the usual macho accounts.
I also noticed Morris took the opportunity on her travels to investigate non-mainstream religions, whether Santeria in Cuba, Animism in Malaysia or Kali worshippers in India. She was open-minded and interested in the religions, treating them with respect and acknowledging they are part of the various cultures she visited.
Despite the serious issues tackled and the dangerous places Morris visits, it’s not a dark and heavy book, but one with a lot of rueful humor. Each chapter is set in a different location and is titled with puns and word games. The only quibble I have is that there was a few too many mentions of body waxing and monthly cycles, but then, I’m easily embarrassed. Though it’s not a thin book, I certainly wouldn’t have minded a few more chapters on her travels. And now, I must try to find the DVDs of her series, because I’d really like to see the footage of her adventures and the reason for this book.

Villard Books 2005 283 pp. ISBN 0-357-50827-9

Jackie’s biggest adventures are at the grocery store, but she likes to paint as if she has had others and you can see some of her work here .

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