Maybe it's my memory, but the most memorable, funniest bits are the very first pages and the very last pages. The concept itself carries the book for the most part. Much of the middle is a genuine travelogue of Moldavia, without a lot of personal attachments beyond his host family, despite having a dedicated translator/driver as I remember.
I read it and enjoyed it for the laugh quite a while a go, but travel without engagement? Done that.