Shop

The love of travel and the fear of social interaction collide in The Adventures of an Introvert.

In 2009, a young man who could not decide whether he was a recluse or an introvert, took the brave step of venturing outside of the United Kingdom for the first time in a decade. This is the true story of how an individual with very few social skills faced the almost insurmountable challenges of surviving fierce interrogation by airport security staff, speaking to hotel employees, and worst of all, ordering food in foreign restaurants.

Every hero needs a reliable sidekick; David Chapman was fortunate to have a couple of them who bravely followed him on his expeditions across the globe. Going by the name of Mum and Dad, they joined him on his misadventures, which include his participation in a half-naked photo shoot in the Arabian Desert, his confrontation with a Koala and a Kangaroo, and multiple assassination attempts by maniacal drivers.

The first installment of his mission to visit as many countries as his anxiety and shyness will allow, sees him tackle his fears whilst exploring ten countries in four continents. This is certainly not the definitive guide to travelling. Rather, it is a detailed account of the agonising dilemmas that a socially awkward individual is faced with after he has, for some unimaginable reason, decided to immerse himself in a variety of cultures throughout the world.

Follow the Tales of an Unsociable Traveller as he explores a variety of fascinating countries, ranging from those in Western Europe to the Far East. This includes a voyage to the most densely populated region on Earth and a trip to the world’s smallest sovereign state.

The author encounters temples, towers and even a deserted island during his global adventures. All whilst desperately hoping to avoid having to engage in small talk with strangers! However, he soon begins to realise that the experience of travelling is in fact enhanced by such social interaction.

The second installment of David R.Y.W. Chapman’s quest to visit as many countries as his social anxiety will allow involves numerous trips within Europe and Asia. Readers are presented with a rare opportunity to explore the planet from an introvert’s perspective!

Trekking across China with a group of strangers not only tested the author’s inadequate social skills, but it also provoked an intense desire to undertake a more daring form of travel. Beyond the Wall provides some insight into what it is like to embark on an adventure when one’s instincts are to shy away from the company of others.

This epic journey along the Great Wall of China involved moments of fear, exhilaration, intrigue and bewilderment. Physical exertion and challenging terrain became the norm, with the possibility of having to make excruciating small talk a constant danger. The thirst for more soon clashed with the reality of everyday life. Would the trek lead to a series of escapades in far-flung corners of the world or would this be an isolated journey? Would the sense of adventure end here or go beyond the wall?

David R.Y.W. Chapman’s quest to explore as much of the planet as his social anxiety will allow sees him visit a variety of destinations whilst evaluating the merits of the chosen form of travel. Is a holiday on the Costa del Sol even remotely comparable with trekking across one of the wonders of the world? Is a day trip an entirely inadequate method of exploration or is what one takes from it of more importance?