The Town Bicycle

There are three things that interest most people, besides the weather and winning the lottery. They are, in no specific order...sex, money and travel. In my world, that translates to sex, the economy and tourism. There's very little more admirable than addressing all three of those talking points in one breath. Fortunately the Germans have managed to do so and with some success it seems.

A brothel in Berlin has started offering discounts to patrons who arrive on a bicycle. It gives new meaning to the expression "riding the town bicycle." But its not what you might think. The initiative is in an effort to boost sales at the brothel. with the economy what it is, people just aren't paying as much for sex.

Not only can Maison d'envie brothel be credited with counter acting the global economic crises, they're also making some smart business and environmental decisions. Taking a bicycle or public transport is definitely greener than streams of cars heading to the brothel omitting exhaust fumes, causing traffic and illegally parking. Do you think they've considered a car pool? Besides that, they're broadening their target market. The stuffy old boys arriving in their big German cars are being diluted by the young, dumb and full of...energy. The eager to please, the porn watchers, sexually free and bicycle riders can now get a €5 discount on the usual €70fee for a 45 minute session.

Owner of Maison d'envie says that the downturn in the economy has really affected the sex industry. I mean, if you were down on your chips, could you get it up? Understandable but not hopeless, thanks to the shared vision of the owner and employees of the brothel. The big boss, Thomas Goetz put it like this..."Its good for business, good for the environment and good for the girls."

What do the cops say? A version of this..."Man, I wish I could swap my cop car for a bicycle, just for von day." Calm down, this isn't corruption and they're making no arrests, prostitution is legal in Germany. One of the few countries who have transcended the stigma of buying and selling sexual acts. Since 2002, 400 000 sex workers have been allowed to enter into formal employment contracts. Another good reason to travel.

So there you have it, sex, money and travel - on a bicycle no less but look on the bright side...you can use your GPS enabled cell phone to track your trip, visit www.hummba.com to find out more.

Got the Greenies

Going green is the next step in evolution it seems, once again remembering the connection between man and mother nature. Some might argue that is in fact not about evolution but rather a cycle that has over time, run the exact same course spanning for centuries. Either way, every bodies got the greens, recycled this, bio degradable that, free range, fair trade, Eco friendly...the list of warnings to start taking care of the earth are everywhere. So, you might wonder...how can you apply the basic principle of all of that to your lives?

I guess you'd have to figure out what that means to you but for me it would be about having the least physical impact on the environment (FYI this is my "footprint"). So I thought about daily life and how to live in a way that minimises my impact, there were some concrete solutions but then I thought about travel. I'm a big fan and I'm not alone so when you're travelling, how can you do so to ensure that you're still doing your part for the environment? You're expecting me to give you the answer now aren't you? Ha ha suckers! I don't have the answer but I have resources so I found some green travel tips on the Green Guide.com website that might get you thinking next time you plan a holiday or vacation.

Tips For Greener Travel
1. Take it slower...
Reducing your speed to 55 mph from 65 mph may increase your fuel efficiency by as much as 15 percent; cut it to 55 from 70, and you could get a 23 percent improvement.

2. Go big or Go home...
To travel with a lighter footstep:
Stay closer to home. The less you drive, the easier your trip is on the environment. Instead, take an alternative form of transportation, like a train or a bus.
Increase your fuel efficiency on the road. Inflate your tires, and drive at a leisurely pace.
If your trip requires flying, or driving a long distance, rent a hybrid.
Get to know the country through the window of a train.

3. Local is Delectable
Eat Local
Choose produce that is produced in the region and not imported. It not only helps build the local economy but also lets you try something new and minimise your impact on the environment.

4. Shop Smart
Buying local not only saves energy used to ship produce, but also preserves flavor and nutrients. Shop for gifts and souvenirs from local craft markets and support local craftsmen and women.
Visit village markets and farm markets for fresh, and sometimes fair trade goods.
Remember that the packaging of whatever you're buying also plays a vital role in saving the environment. Use recycled shopping bags, and buy products who's packaging is biodegradable.

So there you have it...the "when-you're-travelling-green-guide," I hope it makes a difference to some and finally everyone.

Convention Centre is putting their Green foot forward

For the past few months the Cape Town International Convention Centre has been making an effort to reduce its carbon footprint on our fair planet.

The CTICC created themselves a 'green team' which was asked to implement some environmentally sustainable initiatives. Their initiatives seem to be working because according to Rashid Toefy, CTICC chief executive, the centre has seen a drop in their energy consumption from almost 400 thousand Rand in December 2007 to 250 thousand Rand in December 2008.

That's a fantastic result and hopefully they can keep it up!