hughesin' about

American Psycho (Book)

​Bret Easton Ellis’ American Psycho​ is a satirical psychological thriller set in the late 1980’s and narrated by Patrick Bateman - a vain, materialistic wall street yuppie devoid of empathy and with a vicious contempt to those less wealthy than himself. Bateman is incapable of feeling love however he believes that almost everyone is in love with him. He is an extreme example of consumer culture and liberal capitalism with a host of personality disorders. The Book is incredibly violent, Bateman murders dozens of people in horrific ways including gouging out eyes, hammering and drilling out teeth and nailing a girl to the floor.

​Bateman’s control over his sadistic compulsions begins to deteriorate as the book progresses - his killings become increasingly violent and grotesque and the line between his two lives begins to blur. He openly admits his murderous activities to his friends who either misunderstand what he has said or simply do not hear him. The book is filled with the uncertainty as to what is reality and what is a creation of Bateman’s own warped imagination as he spirals further into madness. We are both entertained and repulsed by an exaggerated character, embodying consumerist culture and corporate capitalism, whom we are meant to despise.

Normal

Leaving Gili Trawangan after a week of lounging, I was ready to go home. As soon as we arrived in Bangkok the buzz, the excitement of being in different surroundings, was back. Quoting Bill Bryson, ‘The greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time, to be in a position in which almost nothing is so familiar it is taken for granted’. Pretty much sums it up!

The second time around, Bangkok still felt insane but more familiar, more normal; Tuk tuks racing through insane traffic - horns screaming out from every vehicle, the smell of delicious street food wafting through the air - occasionally masked by the trademark Bangkok stench, the guarantee that almost no genuine goods are for sale, someone selling you a bracelet, a suit, a massage, a tattoo, a ping pong show every 10 seconds, a dog dying outside the bus station, families living under the motorway, kids begging for money at traffic lights. Normal.

Travel regulates imagination with reality. This trip has given me first hand experience of cultures and ways of life that are totally different from my own. Real experience of poverty takes it off the TV screen and places it into your reality. I’ve learned a lot - most importantly how lucky I am for everything that I have and the opportunities I’ve been given along the way. Travelling is addictive and South East Asia was a good introduction. There will be a next time and I can’t wait!

Big Pimpin'

From Bali we got smashed to pieces over rough seas on a 1200bhp fast boat to Gili Trawangan - a tiny island off the coast of Lombok. We stayed in a private 4 bedroom gangster villa on the beach front - hands down the most relaxing place I’ve ever experienced.

There wasn’t a lot to do on the island, especially in the secluded corner where villa Kokita was located. This was just what I wanted at this stage in the game - days were spent working out before sunrise, partying and chilling by the pool without a care in the world.

To break up the relaxation, we took a boat to the Meno wall - a coral reef that drops off sharply (like an underwater cliff face). We snorkelled around in what was essentially an enormous tropical fish tank. I saw all kinds of fish and some pretty large turtles but the highlight for me was diving off the roof of the boat - I love the total lack of regulations in South East Asia!

We had 3 house staff to cook our breakfast and clean the villa for the week. On the last night myself, ‘Mr. Rick’ and 'Mr. Sam’ (names we soon got them to stop using) chilled with them in their very basic 6ft x 6ft shack at the back of the villa. We listened to music and got drunk on rice wine and Grey Goose before going out with them to the Irish Bar.

These guys had come to Gili Trawangan from Lombok to find work. They were working 7 days a week for the small wage of £70 a month - which they sent back to their families. The next morning Sam, Jessie & myself insisted on cooking and serving them breakfast. They had never used a knife and fork before and were not fans of scrambled eggs and toast but they pushed through - I guess out of politeness!

Made (one of the house staff) told Sam that the time we had been at the villa was his favourite since working there and he was especially fond of 'Mr Rick’. We gave them a well deserved tip and Rick offered to help Made find better paid work on a cruise ship which I hope happens - He was a great kid. The private luxury villa was ridiculously nice but chilling, laughing and joking with the house staff stands out in my mind as my best experience on the island. I think staying with them for the week in the tiny shack would have suited me better.