Sasha Grey's Adventureland
By Sasha Grey
Photographs by Sasha Grey and Ian P. Cinnamon
As part of our Winter Issue travel issue, actress, photographer, musician and former adult film star Sasha Grey documented a recent trip to Germany and Thailand. Her new film, I Melt With You, (also starring Rob Lowe and Jeremy Piven) is out in December. We'll be posting more travel pieces by everyone from Momofuku pastry chef Christina Tosi to Twilight's Jackson Rathbone through out the week.
Perhaps the least exciting part of traveling is, well... the traveling. Don't get me started on the three-ounce rule, and those frustrating, noisy Ziploc bags. I digress. I recently returned from one of my favorite adventures in quite some time, visiting Germany and Thailand. Here's what I saw.
The worst thing is when you get stuck next to an overzealous chatterbox on a plane who wants to be your new best friend. When you get a great seat, nothing compares. The solitude and melodic din can actually be a great time to get work done, or get some sleep in!
I've always wanted to take a train through Europe, while smoking imaginary cigarettes, drinking scotch and writing poetry. While I didn't quite get to do that, my partner Ian and I did get to admire the beautiful Frankfurt train station and take the short ride up to Munich. In my obnoxious American way, I clunked up the steps with my oversized suitcase onto the crowded train, which carried business commuters and people who were starting Oktoberfest early by warming up with a pint. I took a nap.
My friends picked me up in Munich where the streets were flooded with drunk locals and tourists in traditional lederhosen and dirndl dresses. My friends have a flat that just happens to be across the street from the festival, so only pedestrians were allowed on the street, except for residents who had driving permits. It was the perfect foggy night: catching up with friends, staring out at foreign buildings and people-watching all the drunks from the balcony.
We did a mini speed tour of Munich. Our friend Jens showed us the original Arri headquarters, Fassbinder's old digs and various World War II memorials. There are few places in America that give me such overwhelming emotions in the way that Europe does. Each country I've been to inspires me. Maybe it's the history, maybe it's the romance, but Europe -- it consumes me.
We spent a few days in Frankfurt for "The Bodies of Babel" symposium at the Mousonturm Frankfurt where I had a photography exhibition in conjunction with the release of my book Neü Sex. The opening night I had the honor of being introduced by one of my heroes (and friends) Cosey Fanni Tutti, to a packed house. Discussions and panels followed for the next two days with myself, Peaches, Jens Hoffmann and more.
Then we were off to Thailand. I was there for G4 TV filming a special on the country, so these events were very well-planned, day in and day out, and included a lot of traveling to and from locations in the grueling Bangkok traffic.
On the first day, we drove out to Pattaya where we did a segment at a crocodile farm that also housed Bengal tigers, bears and horses. Hanging out with a tiger is probably something I'd never do again! I had a helpful guide who let me sit on a crocodile. Later, holding a baby croc, I couldn't help but think of how fascinating evolution is. You can't hold something so small and scaly, yet incredibly powerful and not think of the fact that the species has been around longer than us silly humans.
Perhaps the least exciting part of traveling is, well... the traveling. Don't get me started on the three-ounce rule, and those frustrating, noisy Ziploc bags. I digress. I recently returned from one of my favorite adventures in quite some time, visiting Germany and Thailand. Here's what I saw.
The worst thing is when you get stuck next to an overzealous chatterbox on a plane who wants to be your new best friend. When you get a great seat, nothing compares. The solitude and melodic din can actually be a great time to get work done, or get some sleep in!
I've always wanted to take a train through Europe, while smoking imaginary cigarettes, drinking scotch and writing poetry. While I didn't quite get to do that, my partner Ian and I did get to admire the beautiful Frankfurt train station and take the short ride up to Munich. In my obnoxious American way, I clunked up the steps with my oversized suitcase onto the crowded train, which carried business commuters and people who were starting Oktoberfest early by warming up with a pint. I took a nap.
My friends picked me up in Munich where the streets were flooded with drunk locals and tourists in traditional lederhosen and dirndl dresses. My friends have a flat that just happens to be across the street from the festival, so only pedestrians were allowed on the street, except for residents who had driving permits. It was the perfect foggy night: catching up with friends, staring out at foreign buildings and people-watching all the drunks from the balcony.
We did a mini speed tour of Munich. Our friend Jens showed us the original Arri headquarters, Fassbinder's old digs and various World War II memorials. There are few places in America that give me such overwhelming emotions in the way that Europe does. Each country I've been to inspires me. Maybe it's the history, maybe it's the romance, but Europe -- it consumes me.
We spent a few days in Frankfurt for "The Bodies of Babel" symposium at the Mousonturm Frankfurt where I had a photography exhibition in conjunction with the release of my book Neü Sex. The opening night I had the honor of being introduced by one of my heroes (and friends) Cosey Fanni Tutti, to a packed house. Discussions and panels followed for the next two days with myself, Peaches, Jens Hoffmann and more.
Then we were off to Thailand. I was there for G4 TV filming a special on the country, so these events were very well-planned, day in and day out, and included a lot of traveling to and from locations in the grueling Bangkok traffic.
On the first day, we drove out to Pattaya where we did a segment at a crocodile farm that also housed Bengal tigers, bears and horses. Hanging out with a tiger is probably something I'd never do again! I had a helpful guide who let me sit on a crocodile. Later, holding a baby croc, I couldn't help but think of how fascinating evolution is. You can't hold something so small and scaly, yet incredibly powerful and not think of the fact that the species has been around longer than us silly humans.
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