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| Puerta Vallarta, MX...Should you be afraid in this neighborhood...no!!! |
- Empty Nest Expat
- How to be a Frugal Traveler from the Blogs at New York Times
- Neography Lesson from Tmagazines blogs at New York Time
- Expat Blog Directory
- Peace Corp Journals...largest archive of Peace Corp Stories
- Military Families Blogs
- 10 Great Expat Blogs from Mexico
- How To Travel the World
It occurred to me the other evening that there are a lot of people that will never, never venture outside their comfort zone. Food, neighborhoods and traveling the world are at the top of their "never going there or doing that" lifestyle. The one I just laugh over is "I would never live in a neighborhood that had drug dealers!" I don't know what hole we can climb in that will keep us at a safe distance from bad people because bad drug dealers look just like good people. The fact is that, when I travel around the world, I usually feel safer than I do at home.
I was reading How to be a Frugal Traveler on the NYT The Frugal Traveler blog when I saw a statement about paying attention to State Department warnings regarding travel. The man had something to say that was very interesting. Everyone is terrified of going to Mexico, for example, because of the cartels, drugs and border slayings. The State Department has issued warnings about those places in Mexico travelers should avoid. The northern Mexican border and areas around Monterrey seem to be a places we should avoid...being safe while getting out and about is important no matter where you live. However, the State Department went on to say:
The Frugal Traveler is entirely right. Just because one area is unsafe does not mean that a whole country is bad. There are many places here in Arizona and the USA that are not safe! BUT, should overseas travelers be afraid to even come to the USA? Of course the answer is no. Read ALL of the State Departments information and then make you choices based upon what you have learned.Millions of U.S. citizens safely visit Mexico each year. This includes tens of thousands who cross the border every day for study, tourism or business and at least one million U.S. citizens who live in Mexico. The Mexican government makes a considerable effort to protect U.S. citizens and other visitors to major tourist destinations. Resort areas and tourist destinations in Mexico do not see the levels of drug-related violence and crime reported in the border region and in areas along major drug trafficking routes. Nevertheless, crime and violence are serious problems.Image via Wikipedia
I know we should not live in fear. It is reassuring to read about other people's adventures. Read what the people on the links above have to say...it is a lot of fun, doesn't cost any money and you can get a voyeurs view of their lives. And, who knows, you may travel the world that is outside your comfort zone!
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Travel requires using common sense, whether it is Mexico, or Philadelphia. There are parts of Phoenix (and Tucson!) I would not venture into after dark.
ReplyDeleteStaying out of certain areas at night, being aware of pickpockets, not flashing cash, not calling extra attention to yourself are obvious things all of us should do wherever we go. To avoid travel out of fear is to miss some great experiences.
Thank you for the comment...we are know that our lives shrink as we grow older. Limitations on our ability to travel can be very frustrating. But to have NEVER done anything because of fear is so sad. Caution and common sense will help. Oh, and a good sense of humor...that is the most important item you need to pack in your travel bag!
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