Andrew Scott Boeken

Under the Bright Sky: A Memoir of Travels through Asia brings together ten personal travelogues set in ten Asian countries over a period of several decades. Each story is a snapshot of a distinct time and place, covering a vast and complex landscape, both physical and emotional. A father revisits Sri Lanka, where he had been posted fifty years earlier during WWII; a spouse searches for long-lost relatives in the small villages of southern China. A widowed husband mourns; the stages of a new romance are celebrated in India and Indonesia. Cultural conflict is encountered in Turkey; cultural cooperation in Vietnam. Together, these intimate recollections are a meditation on the relationships between cultures. Interlaced with each new experience is a sense of familiarity and appreciation as Scott places his own travels into the context of those before him, exploring our interconnectedness—a Thai Buddhist abbot in search of the perfect piece of BC jade, and the first Japanese visitors to the Pacific Northwest, a group of seamen who arrive the hard way, drifting in their disabled vessel for more than a year. In Under the Bright Sky, award-winning author Andrew Scott ventures through time and space in search of connection and meaning. His devotion and insight will inspire travellers and historians alike.

The narrative reflects a profound admiration for the author's mother, emphasizing her virtues of kindness, faith, and love. The author expresses a deep longing for a partner who embodies these qualities, mirroring the love shared within the family. The memories of both parents are cherished, highlighting their significant impact on the author's life despite their brief presence. The themes of love, loss, and faith are woven throughout, showcasing a heartfelt tribute to the enduring legacy of parental love and the hope for a future filled with similar devotion.

Andrew Scott's journey with multiple sclerosis began in 1994, though early signs appeared earlier. Following his diagnosis, he faced a lack of treatment options, receiving only a brief course of steroids and advice to simply wait for the next flare-up. This narrative explores the challenges and uncertainties of living with a chronic illness, highlighting the need for better support and understanding in the face of such a diagnosis.