My friend James and I planned the perfect vacation. We heard of this small country in the Orient, where there was virtually no crime. We decided to enjoy the country by biking and camping along the roadside in a pup tent. We were having a great time! Ate at roadside stands, and would build a fire at night.

One day as we were biking, we noticed an apple orchard at the side of the road. James suggested getting an apple. We climbed over a fence, each got an apple, and started to go back to our bikes, when three hired hands came at us shouting excitedly. We didn't understand the language, but were ushered to the main house. What was going to happen to us? Soon a police van arrived and we were cuffed, put in the back of the van, and our bikes and belongings were confiscated.

We arrived at the police station, and were brought before the chief of police. After the officers who arrested us spoke to him, he spoke to us in English. I felt relieved, but not for long. "In our country, the punishment for petty theft is a public whipping, which will be carried out tomorrow." I can't believe this! I demand a lawyer, a trial, to contact the US consuate. I am told there is no US consulate, and for a crime such as this, no trial was necessary.

We were ussured away to a small prison, where we were brought into a room with four guards. We saw our belongings in a large box, and then one guard gave us the order to strip. Reluctantly, James and I slowly removed our clothes, and the guards tossed them into the box with the rest of our things. I had such a sinking feeling as I pulled my briefs down and watched them get tossed into the box.

Two guards then brought us into a shower room, handed us a bar of soap, and pointed. We understood what we were to do. After showering, the guards stared at our naked bodies, and laughed at us. Then they gave us a very humilitating strip search. What did they think I could hide up my butt. We were given jumpsuits to wear and brought to our cell.

Early the next morning, we were awoken by two guards, and given a breakfast. Our main concern was, what is a public whipping? Soon four guards came to our cell and one of them ordered us to strip. We both slowly unzipped our jumpsuits, and as soon as they were off, we were quickly handcuffed, hands behind the back.

Next we were brought to the front entrance, and to our horror, we were brought out into the street, and brought for a long walk to the center square of this village. This was a very busy time of day as many were on their way to work. Two naked American boys created a lot of attention!

In the center sqaure, there were four poles, and James and I were led up to two of them. I felt a cord being wrapped around my ankles, as my handcuffs were released. My hands were pulled above my head, and soon they were being secured in the same manner, as well as, a cord around my waist. I glanced over at James, and saw him similarly tied to the next pole.

The guards allowed some time to pass, and we could see a crowd was gathering to see the two American boys be punished. I never felt so humiliated in my life.

Next, I heard a "swoosh" and looked around to see one guard with a thin flexable switch. He walked up to James and gave a full swing whack to his bare bottom. He howled! After about ten of these, I had to look away, as my buddy was sqwirimg and sobbing uncontrollably.

Now was my turn. I felt the switch place across my fanny. I heard the swoosh, and then felt the impact. I couldn't believe the pain. I felt my body just weaken after each whack. I even forgot about the crowd behind me. I look over at James, and he is still sobbing. We must have gotten between 30 to 50 whacks. Finally it's over.

The guards unfasten us from the pole, but to our shock, they turn us around, and now similarly tie us up to the pole, FACING the crowd. The guards kept us in that position for a couple hours. What was worse, my stinging bottom or all the passersby looking at us.

Finally, we were released, and James was walking ahead of me. I saw the welts, some a bit bleeding, and I could only assume my ass looked the same.

We were quickly given our clothes and belongings back, and sent on our way. Of course it was impossible to sit on a bicycle seat after what we went through, but we stood up and peddled out of that town as fast as we could.

Now we knew why there is so little crime in this country!!!