I'll never forget my first experience with a more militant state of mind: setting down in Singapore, the airliner distributed custom cards with a half-inch warning in bold red letters:
WARNING: DEATH TO DRUG TRAFICKERS UNDER SINGAPORE LAW.
It was the first time I'd seen such a thing first hand. When we set down in Singapore International Aiport -- one of the world's largest and most elaborate -- the first thing I noticed was not the sauna, shower facilities, or sparkling clean floors, but the guards with machine guns.
Notice that there's no caveat there. It's not death to SOME or DEATH IS ONE OF THE PUNISHMENTS. It's a simple, direct statement. If you're carrying drugs, your life is over.
With that in mind, don't you think it's worth being careful? We've all heard of unscrupulous criminals who slip their drugs into some unsuspecting passenger's backpack. That's why they always ask if you've left your baggage unattended.
Here's a tip: DON'T.
Some other ways to keep from becoming a victim:
-Don't trust anyone you meet while traveling
-Seal your carry-on baggage: either put a lock on it or even a twist tie -- whatever will slow someone down. They're looking to stash and run, and they don't want to be bothered undoing seals.
-Mark your bag, especially if it's nondescript. It's too easy to switch one bag for a similar one.
-Keep your baggage with you at all times -- don't leave it while you go to get a coffee, not even for a second. Check it in as soon as possible.
It's unfortunate that we have to be so careful, almost paranoid, when traveling. On the other hand, it's better to take a few too many precautions than to become a statistic.
Wednesday, 30 January 2008
Monday, 28 January 2008
Why Travel Makes for Healthy Kids
Some people prefer not to take their children on holiday, or at least not to take them very far. This isn't due to an aversion to their kids! It's more for practical considerations. Some of those might include:
-the kids won't really have fun
-WE won't really have fun
-the kids aren't likely to be as careful in a third world country and might get sick
-the kids would have more fun if we all went to Disneyland together some time
If you have very young children, that might stand true (although I have many friends who claim that the best time to go on holiday with children is when they're tiny -- you don't have to worry about doing what they want to do and can focus on lying on the beach all day!). But kids have far more appreciation for travel than you might expect.
So-called "kid friendly" holidays (such as trips to Disneyland and the like) quickly become old hat. They might be hugely excited the first time, but make it a yearly event and see how quickly they begin to take it for granted! It's far more productive to take your kids places where they'll be exposed to new ideas and people, see other cultures, and experience new things.
Your children might amaze you! Those pyramids might awe them just as much as they did you. And they may even have some insights you missed out on. So don't be afraid to take your children on holiday -- you can always get a sitter if you must. You might have more fun than you thought!
-the kids won't really have fun
-WE won't really have fun
-the kids aren't likely to be as careful in a third world country and might get sick
-the kids would have more fun if we all went to Disneyland together some time
If you have very young children, that might stand true (although I have many friends who claim that the best time to go on holiday with children is when they're tiny -- you don't have to worry about doing what they want to do and can focus on lying on the beach all day!). But kids have far more appreciation for travel than you might expect.
So-called "kid friendly" holidays (such as trips to Disneyland and the like) quickly become old hat. They might be hugely excited the first time, but make it a yearly event and see how quickly they begin to take it for granted! It's far more productive to take your kids places where they'll be exposed to new ideas and people, see other cultures, and experience new things.
Your children might amaze you! Those pyramids might awe them just as much as they did you. And they may even have some insights you missed out on. So don't be afraid to take your children on holiday -- you can always get a sitter if you must. You might have more fun than you thought!
Sunday, 27 January 2008
Why I Love to Travel
I started thinking today about why I love to travel. I mean, there are many reasons But when you really get down to it, there are core reasons I love traveling -- not just like it but LOVE it. Some of those are:
1. Experience
My most valuable life experiences have been obtained through travel. There's nothing quite as sobering as realizing you're lost in a foreign country where you don't speak the language, or quite as exhilarating as successfully navigating your way out of that mess. It takes the place of years of experience at home!
2. People
Both the people you meet and just seeing how different people live their lives. They're, to put it mildly, fun. And more importantly, they open your eyes to the world around you. No one looks the same once you see them with the eyes of a traveler.
3. Fun
Travel is FUN. It's more fun than just about anything. Sure, it can be stressful and difficult and costly, but it's all worth it in the end. Whether you're traveling on your own or with a group of friends, you're sure to have a great time.
4. Excitement
You can have experiences traveling you can't have anywhere else. I mean, you can hardly see the pyramids in Manchester, right? If you want to have real life excitement -- rather than just vicariously seeing things via the television screen -- you have to actually go there.
These are my top four reasons for loving travel. What are yours?
1. Experience
My most valuable life experiences have been obtained through travel. There's nothing quite as sobering as realizing you're lost in a foreign country where you don't speak the language, or quite as exhilarating as successfully navigating your way out of that mess. It takes the place of years of experience at home!
2. People
Both the people you meet and just seeing how different people live their lives. They're, to put it mildly, fun. And more importantly, they open your eyes to the world around you. No one looks the same once you see them with the eyes of a traveler.
3. Fun
Travel is FUN. It's more fun than just about anything. Sure, it can be stressful and difficult and costly, but it's all worth it in the end. Whether you're traveling on your own or with a group of friends, you're sure to have a great time.
4. Excitement
You can have experiences traveling you can't have anywhere else. I mean, you can hardly see the pyramids in Manchester, right? If you want to have real life excitement -- rather than just vicariously seeing things via the television screen -- you have to actually go there.
These are my top four reasons for loving travel. What are yours?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
