" Unless there is a strong sense of place there is no travel writing, but it need not come from topographical description; dialogue can also convey a sense of place. Even so, I insist, the traveler invents the place. Feeling compelled to comment on my travel books, people say to me, " I went there" ---China, India, the Pacific, Albania-- " and it wasn't like that." I say, " Because I am not you. "