Old Junk

"Old Junk" by H. M. Tomlinson is a compilation of travel writings from the early 1900s that shares the author's adventures and thoughts during his travels, along with his reflections on different places and people. Made up of articles from 1907 to 1918, Tomlinson shows the world's beauty and difficulty, mixing observations about nature with deep thoughts about people. The book starts with a character, not named, on a steamship named "Celestine," heading to the North African coast amidst a messy departure. The narrator shows both adventure and feeling unbothered about where they are going, wanting to discover new things instead of having a set plan. As the "Celestine" goes through rough seas, the narrator thinks about the ship's journey, talks with the crew, and thinks deeply about the simple, beautiful land disappearing into darkness. Using bright descriptions and a thoughtful tone, the opening sets the stage for a journey that shows the physical and deep, personal parts of travel.