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Peter Talks Don’t Go There

Uncategorized — on November 18, 2008 12:08 pm

DGT coverWhat a wild week this has been, starting with my new book, Don’t Go There. It came out last Tuesday, and it started a firestorm.

Well, with the title like Don’t Go There, you know I’m going to be naming names. Don’t Go There is my essential guide to the must-miss places of the world.

That’s right, it’s about the places you want to avoid.

There are about 34 communities that are now marching against me. And we’re just getting started, simply because we’re telling the truth.

If you go out there in the blogosphere, it’s flaming with people who don’t understand what I said. On the Today show, we talked about “lamest claims to fame.” That means slogans, brochures and marketing campaigns that are either total exaggerations or just absurd.

I’ll give you one that’s absurd: Fountain, Minnesota. Someone actually thought it was a good idea to promote them as “the Sinkhole Capital of America.”

How did they illustrate this on the brochure? They did an artist depiction of two young boys riding bicycles. Hello? It’s the sinkhole capital of America. Where are these kids going to end up? Four hundred feet down?

And then there’s total hyperbole and exaggeration. Ashland, Virginia calls itself the Center of the Universe. They must have not gotten the memo—not only are they not in the center of the universe, they’re not even in the center of Virginia. There’s a rumor that there’s a group coming to New York to protest what I said on the Today show.

In these tough economic times, it’s imperative for us to have credible information to make decision in where we want to travel. And that’s what this book is about.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, ClevelandIn Cleveland, they’re angry at me. Of course, the people angriest at me didn’t even read the book. But I had to list them because of their high crime rate. It doesn’t mean I don’t like Cleveland. It just means that if you go, it might be a good idea to stay west of the Cuyahoga River.

In North Charleston—now that’s the craziest one. We talked about their crime rate, and they’ve now called for a Today show boycott. They demanded to know how I got those figures. Well, I talked to their own police chief and the FBI supplied those figures.

Somebody in that story got mad at me and said, “I’ve lived here for 10 years and have never felt safer. We’d like to invite Mr. Greenberg to come out with us on our citizens’ patrol against drug and crime.”

Wait a second, you have a patrol against drug and crime because … you have drugs and crime. So let’s call it what it is.

I’m not telling people not to go to North Charleston; I’m saying if you’re going to go, stay away from these locations. It’s exactly what we said in Detroit, Miami, and other cities. We’re letting you know where not to go when you go and I happen to think that’s important to know.

Let’s talk about other places. Hereford, Texas has about 14,500 people living there, with about 3.5 million cows. That works out to be about 241 cows for every man, woman and child. Can you smell it?

And in western Kentucky, it’s so bad due to the concentrated animal feeding operations that the Sierra Club in Cumberland actually offers a “Tour de Stench.” Now, I’m not actually advising that you take the tour, but the fact that it’s even available, it’s showing you how bad it is. I’m not telling you not to go to western Kentucky; I’m telling you that if you’re going to go, you might want to hold your nose.

That’s just the beginning. In this book, we’ve broken it down into pollution, crime, highways of death, places that literally smell. And it’s not just domestic locations.

Naples trash pile Let’s talk about Naples, Italy because at times there are mounds and mounds of garbage. Why? Because every three days there is a garbage strike.

So if you’re going to Naples, now you know what you’re up against (at left).

We also have something in the book about banned airlines. That’s right, it’s about airlines that are so bad in terms of their maintenance and safety that they’re not allowed to fly in the EU. If you’re going to be traveling around the world, you need to know that before you change planes, right?

The philosophy here is that I’m not a reporter for the travel industry; I report on it. That’s an essential and important distinction.

I’m not their booster, I’m not their marketing partner. I’m out there to give you, hopefully, credible information so you can make intelligent, independent, reasoned decisions about where you spend your travel dollars.

Get more from Peter’s Travel Detective Files Blog or learn more about Peter Greenberg Worldwide Radio.

Peter’s going on tour to support the book, so find out where he’ll be heading.

See what Peter talked about on the Today show.

Learn all about Don’t Go There.

  • From Cedar Rapids,IOWA

    Who would waste their hard earned money on a piece of crap like you and your book. What a bunch of &*&*! Anyone from Iowa, CR in particular, would say good riddens to trash like you. We are still recovering from the worst natural disaster to ever hit the state and you can sit on your “throne” and write nothing but bad things about our community and profit from it! Maybe if no one bought your book that would hit you where it hurts. As you sit sipping your coffee in the morning, just remember where your breakfast cereal came from! Then think about dissing CR some more, you pathetic loser!! Oh one more thing, I bet you are just loved by the people of your own community, aren’t you?? Word of mouth is such a powerful tool!!

  • JIM GATEWOOD

    MY MOTHER LOST HER HOME IN THE FLOOD. SHE IS 86 YEARS OLD.. INSTEAD OF RUNNING YOUR MOUTH ABOUT CEDAR RAPIDS.WHICH HAS THE BEST PEOPLE IN THE WORLD HOLDING
    THIER HEADS UP AND REBUILDING A GREAT CITY, YOU SHOULD DONATE SOME OF YOUR TIME TO HELP OUT THIS CITY REBUILD. BUT BEING A JERK AND CONDEMMING OUR CITY LIKE A LOW CLASS PERSON YOU ARE, WE WOULD`NT EXPECT ANYTHING ELSE FROM YOUR CLASS OF PEOPLE.I DON`T THINK EVEN RUSH HIMSELF COULD BE THAT LOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! JIM

  • Cedar Rapids

    I agree with “Cedar Rapids,IOWA” we are not the most clean town right now, but together we are making things better. Try living through a flood and I will be the first one in your town telling people not to come and see how you like it.
    Point a finger you got three back at ya

  • Teresa South of Cedar Rapids iowa

    You should be ashamed of yourself for putting down a community that came together and are rebuilding there city of 5 sessions. Jerk!!! You can say what you want about the factory’s that gives CR and other area’s stable,good paying jobs and pride in there work. Unlike your job were you need us to buy your crap It belongs in landfill or would the smell bother you to much if they recycled it in there paper processing factory . Instead of driving by in your aircondined car and passing judgement, maybe you should of helped just 1 of the 100 house’s you ditched for smelling, carry everything they owned to the curb. My you find yourself in need of help when a Natural disaster hits, won’t be a whole community helping you. Quaqer oats isn’t the only compay you attacked when you ditchted that one. You my won’t to check into who owns them and what other company’s are involved. Huge surprise awaits you. Reseach? isn’t that what you said you did. I think the only thing that smells about CR is the smell you left behind. -Poisened by Jerry’s smell.
    – in Iowa City IA

  • Grew up in CEDAR RAPIDS

    Cedar Rapids, Iowa used to be my old stomping grounds as a child. It was, and STILL IS a great town with many things to offer people of all ages. There is a culture about Cedar Rapids, including the now completely devastated Czech Village. How dare you say that because of a natural disaster- mind you of EPIC proportions, we are now one of the worst places to visit? This is a city of great faith and they are doing their darndest to try and rebuild…what else would make such a good town?!
    I am now currently living near the Cedar Falls area, and we were hit just as bad, DOUBLE time with the tornado and floods…are you going to trash us too?! You are really a piece of work. I will be letting everyone I know NOT to purchase your book and encourage this rotten piece of crap.

  • Anonymous

    I think you are really mean for talking crap about my city Cedar Rapids iowa!!! How dare you try to prevent tourists from coming to see us!! Not all of us have the “free time” to sit around & think of ways to diss people. you must have A LOT of free time to come up with this BS!!!! Must be nice to get to write stupid books talking crap about cities basking in the sun by the palm trees!!!! All of us have to work!!! Even if it’s stinky! We have to work hard, long hours to feed our families! And feed jerks like you that eat the products we make!! Cedar Rapids is very insulted & nobody will buy your stupid book!! Get a life!!!!!!

    PS: Quit eating our cereal!!!!!

  • http://PeterGreenberg Margaret

    As for Ashland calling itself the “Center of the Universe” you apparently don’t get it! We know it’s not really the CENTER of the universe, but what you fail to realize, Ashlanders believe it is. Really, it’s a wonderful city in the middle of rural America. It’s located in Hanover county, about 10 miles north of Richmond, VA. It has the real down-hometown atmosphere, away from the hustle and bustle of a major metropolitan city (Richmond) and has a lot of local flavor you won’t get anywhere else. Come on down some time to enjoy this beautiful city.

  • Terri

    What you didn’t like all the bad notes you got from the great city of Cedar Rapids, you had to take them down. Last night there was 23 and they had alot to say to you and the public.

  • John Uglyman

    I’m glad he wrote this book and I’m going to get it. I want to know where to go and not go in a city, even Cedar Rapids. I’ve been to Cleveland, OH and it’s a filthy, dirty city. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was a waste of money. Thanks for writing the book Peter!!

  • mildred

    I think people who travel need to know some of the towns they should not visit. Nobody wants to put themselves in harms way if it can be avoided. Most of the travel brochures always give glowing reports and many times this is not the case. I thank you for the information. the information you give may get town officials to do something about the problems if they want visitors to come to their town.

  • Daniel

    Books sell on other people’s misery. I hope you feel good about yourself, not even expending the time to experience what we have gone through. Please come and see for yourself. The devastation will be here for a long time and if you have the time to experience it for yourself, DO IT! Otherwise, please research your facts before castigating our community and probably others also.

  • Tina

    I’m not sure what part of Cedar Rapids you saw, but to come to the city just after the water receded after the worst flood in the states history then dish them for it?? Instead of staying in your AC room or car maybe you should have gotten off your duff and helped in CR or anywhere else in the state that had to haul everything they OWNED TO THE CURB, so they could start rebuilding their lives. As for the “5 smells?” do some so called research-Quaker Oats needs no help to explain them, ADM-corn syrup-alternate fuels etc, General Mills, Pennican -starch, Diamond V-pet food, Ralston-pet food… need i go on?? oh by the way the planes you fly on?? Have ART COLLINS from CR parts in them…. CR will come back better then ever from the floods…. we help each other with elbow greese!!!! feel free to join in!! Oh wait… your to busy cutting down a city who is flooded out!!!!! when you get your feet knock out by a nautral disaster maybe then you will understand why you have up set CR!!! so stop in and lend a hand…….. if you dare!

  • cassandra

    what age am i

  • http://AmateurTraveler.com Chris (Amateur Traveler travel podcast)

    I have not read the book yet, but I love the idea. A lot of travel writing is the good stories. One of the most popular shows I did was on an adventure travel trip to Siberia where everything went wrong. It was probably more educational than one where everything went right.

  • Bob

    Hey, if you know anything about Peter, he stays VERY neutral. He DEFINITELY knows what he talks about and reports !!! He just calls it as he sees it !!!

    I for one appreciate his all his advise and years of expertise.

    Many states/cities have had terrible disasters take place and we should all feel real bad for everyone impacted, but from all the negative emails I’ve read below, in addition to what Peter mentions, I question how friendly the peopld from Cedar Rapids are. There’s too much anger and hostility there. Cedar Rapids isn’t a place I am interested in visiting. Ah, well maybe I’d put it on my list right after Afghanistan.

  • http://AmateurTraveler.com Chris (Amateur Traveler travel podcast)

    Would you be interested in coming on the Amateur Traveler and talking about your book? If so, drop me an email.

    —

    The press has had this to say about the show:

    Men’s Journal says: “One of the 4 best adventure travel podcasts”

    The Chicago Sun Times included the show in their list of 10 “Best travel sites”.

    Best Life Magazine named the Amateur Traveler one of the 10 best podcasts on the internet.

    Nominated for a People’s Choice Podcast Award in 2007, 2008

  • Cedarrapidian

    Even before the flood CR was a stinky town. Come on…city of 5 smells?!?

  • Renae94

    Hi, I’m very grateful to people like you who take the time to share valuable information with people like me. You are right, times are hard and even though I may feel bad for the good folks from CR, I certainly appreciate knowing that it may not be the best place to take my family right now. That goes triple for the places with high crime rates. How many people check the crime rate in the area where they are staying. With four children I find the information extremely valuable and will definitely be purchasing your book.