BootsnAll Travel Community

RE: http://www.bootsnall.com/adventures/articles/06-01/clim...ilimanjaro-tips.html

Great summary Court.

Though I have to say the line about Guides being pimps kinda offends me. That's a pretty strong word. Also I think they would not do anything unless they had some encouragement. I think its a two way street or like I say one cannot clap with one hand.

Hope this line does not discourage women travelers...most of the guides are harmless flirts.

i think most importantly, don't underestimate how cold it will get, and how hard the summit attempt will be.

although i agree with court on almost all her points, i have to agree with madhu about the guides beign pimps. i mean, one also has to consider the context-- wherever there's a high frequency of new people, there's bound to be some harmless flirting going on. it's kinda like the whole.. dating being a numbers game, sorta thing.

When I wrote the article, I pulled from my blog entries, so perhaps some of the wording could have been better.

Yes, hooking up is definitely a two-way street and I would assume that guides wouldn't do anything without mutual interest. However, from talking with other travelers who have climbed Kili, a lot of them have a story to tell about someone on their trip hooking up with a guide. It happens. I'm not knocking it, and I'm certain it doesn't occur on a lot of trips. However, I still argue that there's a "club med" aspect that warrented the inclusion of it on my tips article...it could have just been differently phrased

lol court dear.. aren't you the editor?

ok in all seriousness though, yeah you're right.. although it is a two-way street, sometimes um... how should i say this? some streets have a lot more traffic than others.

Yup, I'm the editor, but I try not to change content once it's already posted (unless, of course, there's a mistake!)

Court

Pimping may not be the right word, but I think one thing you have to understand it that one of the fringe benefits of being a guide is that they do hook up quite frequently. It happens treking Annapurna, overlanding in Africa, and yes on Kili as well. So, I wouldn't label it as solely as a Kili related thing.

I agree with halfnine. "Pimp" definitely is not the right word. Flirt, definitely. Pimp, no.

Court

Some friendly advice, whether you choose to take it is really up to you.

On one hand you are building a business of Adventure travel and working very hard to showcase what Bootsnall Adventures has to offer. What your internal business model is irrelevant as the client out there sees the name of Boots and books a Safari or Kili climb through you.

On the other hand you call your own Guides Pimps (remember the client sees Boots as a tour operator).

Think about this…not the best marketing strategy. I personally think what you say is correct, you should say it as it showcases a true fact. Maybe you should re phrase it, use a different word.

It really does not matter to me at all…I have no vested interest what so ever.

Madhu

Hey Madhu-

Being around the office, I hear lots of stories about Kilimanjaro guides....Donovan's got a dozen alone I never saw any of our trip's guides making out with anyone, but I thought the stories and slightly more-intense nature of being a female around 99% male guides and porters made it an important note.

I've changed it to the more appropriate:
Guides are flirts: Guides lavish attention on their female guests.

I thank you guys for your input.