Faking It
Thirteen luxury hotels, five months...no money
by Tiana Templeman
Overview
From the Publisher
Absolutely Faking It is a comedy of cringe errors. Tiana is a travel addict who works hard to support her addiction. When she saves enough money to go overseas, it’s back packs and hostels all the way; she and her partner Trevor are used to communal bathrooms, kitchens and bunk beds. So when they win a trip which includes thirteen of the world’s most prestigious hotels it sounds like a dream come true, right? Instead of leading a life of luxury, they find instead their once-carefree existence is now filled with stresses such as how much to tip, what do you do with a private butler, and no funds for the hotels’ expensive restaurants.
My thoughts
First of all, who wouldn't want to win a prize that includes airfare and accommodations for 39 nights in the best of the best world class hotels? What a deal! It doesn't take much effort to get caught up in the dreams of traveling first class on someone else's dime! But when reality sets in ... would it be all that much fun?
I thought the psychology of this book was fascinating. Two travelers accustomed to backpacking and hostels thrown into the lap of luxury - feeling out of place, gradually accepting it, and finally throwing all caution to the wind. The interesting twist was the cheap hotel on the backside of the glamour booking - keeping it real. I was curious how the book would end - would they have become the travelers they scorned at the start of the book or would they decide they are backpackers at heart? I was OK with the ending actually, which I won't spoil here! Oddly enough I'm not jealous of the travelers at all. Though I haven't ever been in a hotel of this particular grandeur, I've been in some pretty nice hotels and I can certainly enjoy the perks and service one receives. But traveling for me is getting to know the real world of area I'm visiting, and you don't usually find that in swank accommodations and 5-star dining facilities.
Though I must say, being able to "go for a walk" through your hotel accommodation is a bit luxurious, isn't it?
Favorite Passage
We finish our tea and go for another walk through the suite. A silver bowl filled with exotic Asian fruits sits in the centre of the dining table, accompainied by a glossy brochure with exquisite botanical sketches and a detailed description of each fruit's taste and texture. Two white plates, linen napkins and small silver paring knives have been placed beside the bowl.
The bedroom has a king-sized bed with a shining gold coverlet, red and gold silk cushions and heavy floor to ceiling curtains - plus something else that we would never have expected: a fully operational telescope on a wooden stand is set up in the corner of the room.
Trevor stops to check it out while I continue through a dressing area which is the size of a standard bedroom and into the bathroom which as wrap around windows with venetian blinds that can be raised and lowered with the touch of a button. All the controls are waterproof and within easy reach of the two-person spa bath.
