Out And Out Cynicism, Or, How I Have Learned To Mistrust Travel Writers

As much as I love reading the travel sections of newspapers and magazines like Conde Naste Traveller, ever since moving to Delhi I have frequently felt less than convinced by much of their writing. It is not just the frequent retractions when writers have to admit not having ever visited the hotels they recomend, or not having paid for the meals they lauded.

However, a recent comment in the November edition of Conde Nast Traveller really took the cake. Heidi Gosman and Penny Klein, owners of Hedi Klein beachwear were reporting on their favourite travel destinations. Under airport shopping they wrote,

“You cannot beat Delhi or Hong Kong. Delhi is particularly good for pashminas and jewellery.”

I read this out at a lunch with friends yesterday and it was met with howls of laughter. One friend said “…the good thing about shopping in Delhi airport is that it never takes long.” Delhi airport almost does have shops but they are simply appalling and mostly stocked with junk. You can find better and cheaper pashminas in almost any tie-rack store in the UK.