A Traveler’s Review of Tony Wheeler’s “Bad Lands – A Tourist on the Axis of
Evil”
By Joel Chusid
 Do
you consider yourself an adventurous or armchair traveler? In either case, Tony
Wheeler’s Bad Lands – A Tourist on the Axis of Evil” is a great read. Granted,
the destinations that are covered are not high on the average tourist’s
itinerary these days, but the insight into these places is fascinating and
revealing. Think Iran, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Wheeler, who along with his wife
Maureen founded the Lonely Planet travel guide book series in 1973, has put his
very recent visits to some of the world’s most unusual countries into appealing
words spiced with humor and a few photographs.
Admittedly, some of the countries covered are not on
President Bush’s official Axis of Evil list. Clearly North Korea is, and it is
probably the most totalitarian and closed society on earth today. Even a jaded
traveler like Wheeler found it to be quite unlike any other, “like a movie
set.” It is not easy to get to, and even more difficult to get around,
impossible without a “minder.” Cuba, on the other hand, is a Caribbean beach
destination, at least for anyone other than Americans. It does have its unique
political situation, however, and has two separate economies, the local and the
tourist sectors that are quite different. Indeed Cuba is beautiful, like
visiting a land in a time warp. But is it totalitarian? Yes.
Albania today is probably the most pro-U.S. country in
Europe, as evidenced by the warm welcome President Bush received on his recent
visit. But Albania under the dictatorship of Enver Hoxha a couple of decades ago
was another story, as closed society as North Korea is today. Wheeler writes
about those links to the past. Other countries covered include Libya, Saudi
Arabia, Myanmar (Burma), Iran, and a post script chapter of other countries that
inspire caution and concern. There’s even a controversial “Evil Meter” that
ranks countries based on “how it treats its own citizens, if it is involved in
terrorism, and if it is a threat to other countries.” Interestingly, the United
States does not come out squeaky clean in this test, which may disturb some
readers. But the evidence is presented objectively.
Having visited some of the countries in question, I
immediately turned to those chapters and found it very familiar and accurate.
The book, written in the first person, can be picked up at any time, especially
while traveling, and the chapters read in any sequence. In addition to the
travel experiences, which range from uncomfortable and dicey to comic and
delightful, Wheeler provides basic history as context, most of which is unknown
or certainly unfamiliar to most readers. How did each of these countries get
into the situations they are in, or in some cases like Albania, were?
Lonely Planet books have always been a favorite of mine
since my backpacking trips to Europe, and are very popular among budget and
intrepid travelers because of the detail, historical background, and common
sense accommodation, dining, and sightseeing options. Not being U.S. based, less
familiar country titles are available. Going to Belarus, Burma, or the Baltics?
You can be certain that Lonely Planet has it. And the company has branched from
not just destinations to lifestyle titles such as The Gap Year Book (for
students who want to take a year off not only to see the world, but to make a
difference), The Career Break Book (the same, but you don’t have to be a
student), Code Green (getting a “more authentic travel experience that will
challenge, change and inspire you”) and the annual Blue List that lists the
hottest trends, destinations, and experiences for the current year.
Pick up a copy of Bad Lands to take along on your next trip
or to enjoy in the comfort of your own home. You may, or may not, be inspired to
visit one of these fascinating places where, nearly everywhere, tourists are
welcomed, but politics are another story.
Cost $14.95; 344 pages, paperback, ISBN 9781741792461,
published April 2007
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