Journey to Zihuatanejo by Bill Bradley

Excerpt from Foreword of Journey to Zihuatanejo: From Visitor to Volunteer:

Q: What has 48,000 words, 256 pages and about 250 pictures?
A: My book!

This is my first and likely only book. I struggled with where to begin, what to write about, and most importantly, what to say that would be of interest to others.
The book eventually fell into three parts. The first two and one-half chapters are about the town of Zihuatanejo (Zihua), Mexico. There is a local upscale, slick monthly magazine published in Zihuatanejo called "Another Day in Paradise". For me, that was a great descriptor. The moment I stepped off the airplane on my first trip I knew I had found Paradise. I still feel that way.
So the early chapters are about how I saw (and continue to see) Zihua through my eyes as a visitor. I was a happy vacationer, pure and simple. For those who are considering a visit to Zihuatanejo, or even those who are regular visitors and want a perspective from a six-time visitor, you may find these early chapters helpful and hopefully interesting.
During my fourth visit to Zihua something changed. I was introduced to a teacher from a poor school who invited me to teach some Basic English to a couple of classes. I made nine very unorganized visits to the school over a three week period. I had fun. The children loved me. I was hooked. On my fifth visit I came not as a visitor or vacationer, but as a volunteer. I stayed five and one-half months. I would come again on my sixth visit for six months. For these lengthy stays I was well organized and prepared to teach English and more.

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The middle chapters of this book are about working with the poorest of the children on the outskirts of town. For readers interested in volunteerism or even looking for a way to combine travel with volunteerism, you may find these chapters both interesting and helpful.
I taught English at two very poor schools on the edge of the jungle. I would also go on to tutor teachers and students using Rosetta Stone, teach life skills, set up a school store, establish lunch and reading programs, sponsor three children as they proceed through grades 7-12, sponsor a college student and much, much more.
The final two chapters are about volunteerism and Heroes and SuperHeroes. What started in year four as a whim and with no initial plan evolved into something incredible in many ways.
What started out as a "Me" journey became a "We" journey. Almost all of the success stories in this book are the result of over 100 people from all over the United States, Canada and Europe volunteering to help in whatever way they could. Some gave time. Others gave money. Many donated books, clothes, uniforms, and school supplies. People began to "Pay it forward". People I never met stepped up and did something that added to the wonderfulness of this process. The final chapter is a tribute to these Heroes and SuperHeroes.
And now I hope you find this book both interesting and enjoyable. If by chance you put the book down and say to yourself heck, anyone could have done that! Well you are absolutely right. All it takes is some determination and lots of love.