Travel Guides: World Stompers
Virgin traveling is not for everyone. That is why World Stompers is such a great travel book -- it is impeccably honest description of the world according to Brad Olsen. It is so honest and personal, it has been banned and deemed by some travel stores and other magazines. Why? Olsen talks openly about his journeys, which includes lists of places not to visit, stories of sex, and over thirty pages on finding the best herb overseas. And because the 33 year old San Francisco-based writer/editor/publisher, who has seen most of the world, isn't afraid to write (and draw) what he thinks about it.

When he was 25 years old, Olsen took a trip around the world for three years, stomping, working and basically doing what the day called for. What was a typical day for Olsen?

"Get up. Go to the cafe and eat breakfast for a dollar. Have a game of chess. Get a massage for thirty cents. Smoke a spleef. Try to get some action that night."

Surprised? Shocked? Good. The industry needs this book to awaken travelers that going abroad means experiencing another culture, and that virgin traveling is not for everyone. Among the wild tales, Olsen somehow safely pulled the world stomping off with "seven circuits covered, one rip off, zero run-ins with the police, and a million stories to tell."

Whether or not you agree with Olsen's values and habits, the book has excellent, first hand information: detailed maps of every continent of the world, top ten lists, "On the Stoner's Trail" guides, and a well organized appendix. Everyone should have a publication they don't tell mom and dad about when they go abroad. MakeWorld Stompers yours.

In a recent interview by telephone, Olsen talked about the book.

Student World Traveler: Tell me a little bit about "World Stompers"?
Brad Olsen: World Stompers was originally developed [in 1995] for my traveling friends. The first edition was a manuscpript for other travelers to make their world tour come true. The book is collection of observations and stories from hard won wisdom.

SWT: In each of your maps on continents, you have smiley faces to show nice places and sad faces to show dirty/ugly cities. China doesn't have any happy faces. Why not?
BO: China is rough to travel in. They suck your money. That is how I saw it, and World Stompers seeks to demystify the glamour picture the glamour guides use and write it the way it really.

SWT: This is a Barbara Walters question. You seem to be the kind of person who could get up one morning and catch a plane to an exotic island because you got a great deal on a ticket and the surf will be good? How true is this?
BO: I press trips. Most of my traveling [the past three years] has been to book shows, travel related, and public speaking events.

SWT: You write openly about subjects like drugs, sex that seem to be taboo in the travel world. Why do so?
BO: It reflects travel the way it is . Some people go abroad to get stoned and laid. I have gotten some bitter sweet reviews for "On the Stoner's Trail". But I want to keep it in there.

SWT: Did teaching in Japan help in your planning?
BO: Working in Japan helped the planning. I am living proof that it could be done.

SWT: Were you nervous before you left?
BO: Not at all nervous. I get off on the unexpected.

SWT: Can one make a living writing? What would you suggest to others that want to tell their story?
BO: Be extremely persistent. Getting the word out is the hardest part. One needs to live frugally. As for writing on travel, there are possibilities. The niche is to speak honestly and truthfully about your travel. Don't follow the pack.

SWT: Our next issue deals with teaching abroad. Since you taught in Japan for a few years, do you have any pointers?
BO: Like I say in my talks, the most important part is to get yourself over there. In larger cities with needs for teachers, bulletin boards in international centers and hostels will have listings. If you go to Bangkok, you can be whoever you want and get a job.

Olsen has written/co-written three other books, Extreme Adventures Hawaii, Extreme Adventures Northern California, and In Search of Adventure: A Wild Travel Anthology., and soon will publish Sacred Places: 101 Spiritual Sites Around the World. For a copy of World Stompers send $17.95 + $3 P/H to
CCC Publishing
1559 Howard Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
www.stompers.com or www.peacetour.org for information on this book or one of Brad's other four books

Top Ten Coolest cities (from World Stompers)
10. Jerusalem, Israel
9. Kathmandu, Nepal
8. Cape Town, South Africa
7. Sydney, Australia
6. Venice, Italy
5. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
4. Amsterdam, Holland
3. Kyoto, Japan
2. Prague, Czech Republic
1. San Francisco, Calfornia