Dream Trip to the Orient

The writer’s voice of Katharine Salter Mahmood invites you to escape from today’s era of group emails and text messages, and slip back in time to listen to your imagination recreate the firm, deliberate rapping of Kate Salter’s fingers pounding through seven carbons and onionskins on her trusted typewriter.

In an emotionally torn and fragile state due to the ravages of post-war Germany, Kate’s strength of spirit drives her to depart Europe and sail from Rotterdam to the Philippines with a determination and excitement that we learn is characteristic of her vibrant personality. Now free of the consequences of war, Kate soaks up the sunshine and attention given her as an American woman on her own. Her infectious enthusiasm grows as the badly needed rest and warmth of the sun revitalize her.

On her voyage, Kate finds herself coming to the aid of her new friend Gay, on board with her six-year-old daughter Sheila, when they learn the crushing news of Gay’s husband’s death, and are confronted with insensitive behavior. Kate is filled with empathy and a new kind of strength emerges, even as she struggles to recover from her own very recent loss.

In Dream Trip to the Orient, Kate journals her excitement, and her sometimes daring exploits aboard the Danish freighter with room for a dozen passengers. Written in letter form with sparkling language to family and friends with her flair for ebullient expression, these paper letters were indeed mailed at the end of her trip.

This fascinating story of the confidence Kate built on her “trip of a lifetime” is an enchanting testament to the tenacity of the human soul, and the soul of Katharine Salter Mahmood in particular.