The latest ad is prominently featuring a trip to Chernobyl, under the guidance of their science writer George Johnson. There are two tours, each for eight days and are each limited to 25 guests.
Of course there's a price tag involved for being a guest. In this case "from" $5,495, no airfare included. Price assumes a double occupancy, so I guess it might go up if you're solo. Meals are not mentioned.
The Chernobyl trip gets the big play in the ad over "The Greek Debt Crisis," where you can mingle "with economists. politicians and Greek citizens and gain insight to this crisis." Jesussss, why go to Greece to hear people complain about money? If you want to do that take the subway to any Greek diner or restaurant and introduce yourself to the owner. They're easy to spot, because they never stray too far from the register.
If there's one thing consistent about a Greek small business owner it is that they are never happy. Even if they are well off, they won't admit it. Money is always a worry. When you find the owner you'll get an earful about the Greek debt crisis, plus a take on our own monetary system, Brexit, and how the Euro has ruined Europe. All this after, or before you're had a decent meal. For if there's anything a Greek restaurant or diner can provide you, it is a decent meal at a decent price. The cookies and the mints at the register are free. And so is opinion on the state of any economy.
There are two other sub-tours under the main event. "A Jane Austen Christmas," which I won't even discuss, and "Accelerating Science: Particle Physics at CERN." This one is in Geneva, where the particle accelerator is located. It is hosted by a science writer, Dennis Overbye, but could probably be better hosted by Mary Roach, who I would probably prefer. She could make physics fun, especially about things you can't see. And Geneva. Where all that money is stored.
But Chernobyl gets the big play, and is what caught my eye in the first place. Eight days, where the science writer George Johnson is said to join "both departures." Mr. Johnson has science credentials up the gazoo, but is he really going to be part of an eight day tour twice where you "explore the post-apocalyptic Chernobyl zone." Or, is he going to meet you all at the airplanes gate and wave "good luck" to you? After all, he's got a monthly column, Raw Data to file, and probably from a far safer place.
I don't know about you, but perhaps I'd sign up for a series of pictures to look at. Or not sign up at all. Consider another part of the blurb where we're informed..."see the sarcophagus surrounding the reactor, and the New Safe Confinement structure under construction."
Thirty years, and the Confinement structure is still being built? And you want me to pay to look at it?
I realize the Russians may have been distracted by the Sochi Olympics, doping allegations, invasions, and now hacking the Democratic National Committee's server, but some things should get a higher priority.
Years and years ago Jerry Della Femina, the advertising mogul and now East End restaurateur, once facetiously suggested that a tag line for advertising Sony products that were starting tho make their way into American markets big time, might be..."from the wonderful folks who brought you Pearl Harbor."
I think I'll pass on visiting Russia and learning how after 30 years they're still at constructing nuclear confinement.
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