[Marileangorifurnimaluim]

Interesting points, especially about the "legend" of China and India.

Crossroads are one thing when travel is easy and roads are clear, but think how much trouble Boromir had just getting to Imladris. Not as far as the Shire, and he a great warrior and adventurer.

I think Tolkien really has it down when it comes to what it's like having to walk or ride horses everywhere, being subject to the elements (and the cold and the bugs and having carry all your food..erg). And the distances travelled are realistic. It takes half a day to go just five-six miles, and little rivers or some rain becomes a major obstacle. Once I started backpacking I developed a real appreciation for just how JRRT understood the outdoors. I walked up a mountain, crossed a trickle on the way up. Stayed a few days. It rained. On the way back discovered that "trickle" was a waterfall and I was cut off!

In a car with good roads, even dirt, the distance was a 10-minute trip.