Monday, October 23, 2006
Book review
I love travel books. That’s hardly surprising, as my love for travel is well documented on this blog. Still, my love for travel books is not just limited to guides stating you should look at museum A and statue B and eat at restaurant C. These are fine and make up the bulk of travel books. What fascinates me is what they don’t cover. Most travel books include most of the major attractions and eateries, and they usually include tips on paying for taxis, tipping, avoiding crowds, best times to visit, and hopefully a phrasebook with useful statements such as the local word for police, etc. Standard tomes for standard travelers, these books are aiming for the well-heeled tourist who may be rich in money but not time.
Other guidebooks, while offering some of the same info above, try to claim the hip portion of the market, with names like Rough Guides, Moon Guides, and of course the granddaddy of them all: Lonely Planet. By hip I mean broke, and these books are primarily for backpackers. The opposite of the above tourists, these primarily young and aimless meanderers have plenty of time but not money. These guide books (and please remember Rolf Potts admonition that travel of any type of travel is still a commercial undertaking) cover activities more than sights. A rich German tourist in his or 40’s may visit the Buddha statues in Thailand and lounge on Phuket’s beach, but a Lonely Planet trooper will visit Khao San Road, smoke weed, and hit the full moon parties on Phuket. Ironically, the readers of these books turn up their nose at the very books that guide them.
Other books don’t tell you where to travel, but how. “Vagabonding” by Rolf Potts is an oft-cited example here on this site, but others exist as well. The Worlds Cheapest Travel Destinations gives info on being a skinflint all over the globe. Tim Leffel, the author of the above book, also wrote a similar book about traveling cheaply: “Making Your Travel Dollars Worth a Fortune.” An excellent source of info on a variety of topics, it covers similar ground as Vagabonding. All 3 books mentioned here are highly recommended, but not the focus of this review.
All of these books fulfill their roles nicely, but all the mainstream books generally ignore a subset of travelers: men, or, more specifically, horny men with money to spend and a dim view of relationships from both a practical and philosophical perspective. Although many have heard of such excursions for wine, women, and song; few have participated, and fewer will admit it. I freely express my curiosity at such trips, although the logistics of such jaunts have always escaped me. Even while in Canada I couldn’t catch a break, but I’ll tell that story later. It is said that if a need exists, the free market will fill it. Well, they were right. Consider the gap closed with the book “The Hedonist.”
I cannot recall a book as brutally honest and as funny a book about the otherwise taboo topic of prostitution. Still, if the book was simply about where to go around the world to pay chicks to honk your horn, you could dismiss it as either base or disgusting or whatever. The magic of the book is the approach it has to the role its play in the world. As a wealthy male from America, you are literally the king of the rest of the world. Moreover, this is a really good thing for you to be and you should take every opportunity to indulge yourself. The book begins by giving the reader an exercise plan to change you from a one-shot-and-your–lame-ass-is-out-for-the-night-loser to full blown stud capable of having sex all night long. Your trips should be a marathon, not a sprint, says the book. I agree actually, although by the book’s estimation I’m a sap for hoping to trade my financial security and peace of mind to have sex with one woman for the rest of my life. Evidently they consider this an uneven trade. Who says romance is dead?
The next chapter covers the generalities of hiring women for sex. Again, one could be outraged at the topic of conversation, but the book is so unapologetically hilarious, you can’t put the book down. Essentially, most of the women you’ll “meet” are either con artists or seasoned pros. You don’t want to hire either type, as one will rob you and the other will ruin your fantasy and charge you more while rushing you to… um, finish. Keep in mind that in certain nations, all the ladies are sacrificing their stature in the community to do this work, so all will do less if possible and rob if you if you’re a complete idiot. Obviously, the hardened pro is better than the con artist, but you should be looking for someone relatively new to the business that will a good job of filling your dreams while you pay her fairly for a nice night. If everything works out, you can hire for next night at a cheaper, i.e. direct, rate. Also, the more direct and forceful you are with the ladies, the better your trip will be. Most of the areas listed are male-dominated nations, so the women are less likely to roll you if you present a strong image. Furthermore, if you are an easy mark, the women will let each other know. I can’t say I agree with this. If you knew an easy target, would you let your competitors know? Much of the knowledge in this chapter would have been developed via trial and error, but by giving you the reality of the business, you save time and money.
With your newfound studliness at the ready, you then use the book to decide where you wish to go. Prostitution is legal (or very close to legal) in many parts of the world, and the book goes over some, but not all, of the red light districts available. At this point the book contradicts itself. It gave the criteria for inclusion based on a number of factors, one of which is climate. However, the first two listed were Frankfurt, Germany and Amsterdam, Holland. Aren’t these cities really cold most of the time? Hold on, I’ll answer for you: YES!!! Moreover, if Frankfurt made the cut, why not include Prague or Montreal or any other major Canadian city? All are cold; all have well established red light districts, and prostitution is legal in both nations. Contradictions aside, this information was useful to me, as I didn’t know Frankfurt had a red light district. I mapped it on Google Earth and made a mental note. “No dad, I can fly into Frankfurt and take the train. It’s no problem, I swear.” Seriously, all German cities have a red light district, but now I have street names, train routes, and GPS coordinates. Amsterdam’s inclusion was no surprise, however. Selling sex is as Dutch as wooden shoes and windmills. I was surprised at the price. The Euro is killing my sex life and I didn’t even know it.
As I read the book, the locales began getting warmer. Curacao was a surprising choice until I read the island is a part of the Netherlands, i.e. a Dutch protectorate. Evidently prostitution is not only legal, but the main brothel is state owned. Award a point to socialism, please. The book then goes into how to negotiate price and service. Again the attitude of the book kicks into high gear. The reader is admonished not these women walk over you and gives hints for negotiations. Each area is covered with specific tips for each area. Brazilian women love fake gold while Colombian women are actually looking for a relationship, etc.
There were some unusual omissions in the book. India and Cambodia were left off the list, and both nations have red light districts worthy of visitation. Australia was another omission that should have merited inclusion. It’s certainly warm, and brothels are legal.
Nevada didn’t make the cut, and the Chicken Ranch is world famous. Actually, prostitution is legal in almost all of Europe and many countries are warmer than Germany or Holland.
The book closes with a repeat of its philosophy: when lying on your death bed, remember and smile at the fact you lived a life most other men would envy. This approach ignores the principle of both Heaven and Hell and reincarnation, but it is consistent with the overall tone of the book. It comes highly recommended, even if you never intend on using the information. The humor value alone makes it worthwhile
As for the omissions? Maybe I need to do some research for my own guide. More later.
Other guidebooks, while offering some of the same info above, try to claim the hip portion of the market, with names like Rough Guides, Moon Guides, and of course the granddaddy of them all: Lonely Planet. By hip I mean broke, and these books are primarily for backpackers. The opposite of the above tourists, these primarily young and aimless meanderers have plenty of time but not money. These guide books (and please remember Rolf Potts admonition that travel of any type of travel is still a commercial undertaking) cover activities more than sights. A rich German tourist in his or 40’s may visit the Buddha statues in Thailand and lounge on Phuket’s beach, but a Lonely Planet trooper will visit Khao San Road, smoke weed, and hit the full moon parties on Phuket. Ironically, the readers of these books turn up their nose at the very books that guide them.
Other books don’t tell you where to travel, but how. “Vagabonding” by Rolf Potts is an oft-cited example here on this site, but others exist as well. The Worlds Cheapest Travel Destinations gives info on being a skinflint all over the globe. Tim Leffel, the author of the above book, also wrote a similar book about traveling cheaply: “Making Your Travel Dollars Worth a Fortune.” An excellent source of info on a variety of topics, it covers similar ground as Vagabonding. All 3 books mentioned here are highly recommended, but not the focus of this review.
All of these books fulfill their roles nicely, but all the mainstream books generally ignore a subset of travelers: men, or, more specifically, horny men with money to spend and a dim view of relationships from both a practical and philosophical perspective. Although many have heard of such excursions for wine, women, and song; few have participated, and fewer will admit it. I freely express my curiosity at such trips, although the logistics of such jaunts have always escaped me. Even while in Canada I couldn’t catch a break, but I’ll tell that story later. It is said that if a need exists, the free market will fill it. Well, they were right. Consider the gap closed with the book “The Hedonist.”
I cannot recall a book as brutally honest and as funny a book about the otherwise taboo topic of prostitution. Still, if the book was simply about where to go around the world to pay chicks to honk your horn, you could dismiss it as either base or disgusting or whatever. The magic of the book is the approach it has to the role its play in the world. As a wealthy male from America, you are literally the king of the rest of the world. Moreover, this is a really good thing for you to be and you should take every opportunity to indulge yourself. The book begins by giving the reader an exercise plan to change you from a one-shot-and-your–lame-ass-is-out-for-the-night-loser to full blown stud capable of having sex all night long. Your trips should be a marathon, not a sprint, says the book. I agree actually, although by the book’s estimation I’m a sap for hoping to trade my financial security and peace of mind to have sex with one woman for the rest of my life. Evidently they consider this an uneven trade. Who says romance is dead?
The next chapter covers the generalities of hiring women for sex. Again, one could be outraged at the topic of conversation, but the book is so unapologetically hilarious, you can’t put the book down. Essentially, most of the women you’ll “meet” are either con artists or seasoned pros. You don’t want to hire either type, as one will rob you and the other will ruin your fantasy and charge you more while rushing you to… um, finish. Keep in mind that in certain nations, all the ladies are sacrificing their stature in the community to do this work, so all will do less if possible and rob if you if you’re a complete idiot. Obviously, the hardened pro is better than the con artist, but you should be looking for someone relatively new to the business that will a good job of filling your dreams while you pay her fairly for a nice night. If everything works out, you can hire for next night at a cheaper, i.e. direct, rate. Also, the more direct and forceful you are with the ladies, the better your trip will be. Most of the areas listed are male-dominated nations, so the women are less likely to roll you if you present a strong image. Furthermore, if you are an easy mark, the women will let each other know. I can’t say I agree with this. If you knew an easy target, would you let your competitors know? Much of the knowledge in this chapter would have been developed via trial and error, but by giving you the reality of the business, you save time and money.
With your newfound studliness at the ready, you then use the book to decide where you wish to go. Prostitution is legal (or very close to legal) in many parts of the world, and the book goes over some, but not all, of the red light districts available. At this point the book contradicts itself. It gave the criteria for inclusion based on a number of factors, one of which is climate. However, the first two listed were Frankfurt, Germany and Amsterdam, Holland. Aren’t these cities really cold most of the time? Hold on, I’ll answer for you: YES!!! Moreover, if Frankfurt made the cut, why not include Prague or Montreal or any other major Canadian city? All are cold; all have well established red light districts, and prostitution is legal in both nations. Contradictions aside, this information was useful to me, as I didn’t know Frankfurt had a red light district. I mapped it on Google Earth and made a mental note. “No dad, I can fly into Frankfurt and take the train. It’s no problem, I swear.” Seriously, all German cities have a red light district, but now I have street names, train routes, and GPS coordinates. Amsterdam’s inclusion was no surprise, however. Selling sex is as Dutch as wooden shoes and windmills. I was surprised at the price. The Euro is killing my sex life and I didn’t even know it.
As I read the book, the locales began getting warmer. Curacao was a surprising choice until I read the island is a part of the Netherlands, i.e. a Dutch protectorate. Evidently prostitution is not only legal, but the main brothel is state owned. Award a point to socialism, please. The book then goes into how to negotiate price and service. Again the attitude of the book kicks into high gear. The reader is admonished not these women walk over you and gives hints for negotiations. Each area is covered with specific tips for each area. Brazilian women love fake gold while Colombian women are actually looking for a relationship, etc.
There were some unusual omissions in the book. India and Cambodia were left off the list, and both nations have red light districts worthy of visitation. Australia was another omission that should have merited inclusion. It’s certainly warm, and brothels are legal.
Nevada didn’t make the cut, and the Chicken Ranch is world famous. Actually, prostitution is legal in almost all of Europe and many countries are warmer than Germany or Holland.
The book closes with a repeat of its philosophy: when lying on your death bed, remember and smile at the fact you lived a life most other men would envy. This approach ignores the principle of both Heaven and Hell and reincarnation, but it is consistent with the overall tone of the book. It comes highly recommended, even if you never intend on using the information. The humor value alone makes it worthwhile
As for the omissions? Maybe I need to do some research for my own guide. More later.
