Travel guide and co-founder of Lonely Planet, Tony Wheeler takes the reader along on a journey through some of the most notorious countries on the Earth. Wheeler begins his journey with a visit to Afghanistan and concludes his tour in Saudi Arabia.
Choosing Bad Lands
Wheeler states the criteria for choosing his Bad Lands as, "The selection criteria were simple enough: how does a country treat its own citizens? Is it involved in terrorism? Is it a threat to other countries?"
Post War Afghanistan
On his second trip to Afghanistan, Wheeler is surprised that it has not been changed much by time or war. He begins his trip by visiting the Shah Book company, subject of the bestseller, The Bookseller of Kabul. He frequently remarks on the attitude of his companions toward women quoting his guide as saying, "'Don't go that way. There is woman', he says in a tone reminiscent of those old nautical maps with their 'here be monsters' notations at the edges."
Visiting Libya
Wheeler entertains the reader with his description of Muammar Gaddafi stating, "With his penchant for dressing up, Gaddafi was always the Peter Pan of dictators. One day he was taking his lead from Hollywood (desert sheikh followed by safari suit) and the next it was rock music (military uniforms from the Sergeant Pepper dress-up box followed by a lounge-lizard outfit from Bryan Ferry."
Communist North Korea
Wheeler laments the inability to obtain communist souvenirs and photographic restrictions of North Korea. But he is very amused by the personality cult of both the Great Leader and the Dear Leader.
Saudi Arabia
Wheeler finds the treatment of women in Saudi Arabia disturbing, noting that they use their husbands photos for identification, and are unable to drive, work, or even to leave their homes without a male chaperon.
Developed Countries
Wheeler names several developed countries as control countries for his Evil Meter, including Switzerland and the United States.
Wheeler says of the United States, "A large slice of the financial support for the IRA's terrorism in Ireland came from hats being passed around in Irish bars and clubs in New York and Boston. Most of the dollars collected no more went to Irish widows and Irish education than the Saudi equivalent ended up supporting peaceful study of the Koran in Pakistani Madrasahs."
For a less dangerous travel narrative, try Bill Brysons Notes from a Small Island.
Bad Lands was published by Lonely Planet Publications, April 2007, ISBN 978 174179 186 0.
Christine Decourlande - Christine Decourlande has worked in the information technology industry since 1996. She holds a degree in Computer Information Systems ...
