To Hellholes And Back: Bribes, Lies, And The Art Of Extreme Tourism (2009) - Plot & Excerpts
Actually thought this was better than SMILE, thought it failed to get me interested in visiting Congo, India, or Mexico City. Funny, sarcastic. I disagree that WDW is that bad, especially with kids. Mine loved it, therefore I love that it made them happy. Could easily have been titled BEGGARS AND BULLSHITTERS, BUT NOT SO BAD. I hate how much tourists are intimidated by officials and police in so many countries, shakedown galore. Go to Europe instead. Thompson is a professional travel writer. IN this book he pis himself against the horrors of travel to 1. the Congo 2. India 3. Mexico City, and 4. Disney world. He ha some anxious moments but is never in real danger. The Congo is a sump of corruption and actual warfare prevents him from visiting the most dangerous areas. Mainly it is just bribe, bribe, bribe. India also has problems with effective government and health, which he mostly blames on lack of toilet paper. Mexico is a happy surprise. there is poverty to be sure, but most people seem happy and he really likes the place. At first he is down on the plastic Disney world, but side trips to other Orlando parks, like Universal Studios and Jesus Land, start to make Disney look organized and professional. In the end, he opines the the USA is tending toward third world status, with our homelessness, callousness, and breakdown of regard for legitimate government; he says we are not up to the standards of, say, Japan or Denmark.
What do You think about To Hellholes And Back: Bribes, Lies, And The Art Of Extreme Tourism (2009)?
Great views on the Congo and India. The others were less memorable. Funny and good read.
—Jazzie
Liked: Actual travel related partsDisliked: Distracting political diatribes
—Rafister2k12
