Comments on: Travel Paranoia Runs Rampant

By: Monty Jones

Monty Jones — Sat, 30 May 2009 14:55:28 +0000

Thank you for sharing.
I take trips to Latin America via buses.
If you go anywhere down in Latin America, consult your Dr. about any vacinnations.
I f any traveler goes thru Nicaragua or EL Salvador or Ecuador you need to use US $ not Euros from Europe. These countries are getting away from their currency.
No matter what country you go to never, never, never take photos of anyone in uniform, never.
Travellers ckecks is the safest bet for money.
Be careful in large markets in Peru, Guatemala or any of these countries.
Buy a money belt and never put your wallet in your front pocket.
If you get sick go to a Dr. Its cheap. In Peru a Dr. cost me $3.
All my trips were good trips, but never keep your guard down. Always be alert and do all bus travel in the daylight hours.
MONTY

By: Rod

Rod — Tue, 26 May 2009 23:54:45 +0000

Hi MaryK,

I agree with you, London is a ton of fun. Hopefully the world will settle down and we can all get along……That sounded like a Beatles song…..

By: MaryK.

MaryK. — Tue, 26 May 2009 18:02:29 +0000

How funny! I just go with the flow. Too bad about London, I just love that city! Great shopping and pubs. I think they temporarily “lost their heads” by implementing a bunch of strict rules!

By: Rod

Rod — Sat, 23 May 2009 15:48:08 +0000

Greetings Tart,

It’s always great to get an International opinion. And I wholeheartedly agree that the Mainstream Media has little, if any, conscience.

I recently had the rare responsibility of sitting around a hospital TV for 3 days while supporting a family member after surgery.

After 3 days of watching the Mexican Drug Cartel kill everyone in Mexico (and we were next), Xanax became a new food group.

I still get anxiety attacks every time I walk by a TV.

Thanks for the input & Keep on Truckin’.

By: Rod

Rod — Sat, 23 May 2009 15:27:41 +0000

Hey Jon,

Great to hear from you! As a DC dweller you have more than your share of Paranoid constituents running amok. But you are living at the epicenter during an interesting time in history. So enjoy…….and get a Flip. Hope your dining creations are passing the Man Test……

By: The Travel Tart

The Travel Tart — Sat, 23 May 2009 06:10:19 +0000

I agree – no need to be paranoid. Life always goes on. For example, I didn’t let 9/11, SARS, Bali, SwineFlu, Economic Crisis in Argentina etc etc stop me from travelling. I guess there’s nothing like a good media beatup to make people paranoid.

One thing that I have learned – media portrayal of a place is usually nowhere near the reality.

By: Jon - The DC Traveler

Jon - The DC Traveler — Fri, 22 May 2009 18:05:52 +0000

Good post Rod !!
Since 9/11, Washington, DC has had it’s share of new safely policies, most not very tourist friendly, but we carry on.

My car has been subject to searches at times when passing the Capitol Building. You can no longer enter a Smithsonian museum or gov’t. building without passing through a metal detector and emptying your pockets or having ladies’ purses searched.

For big events, the grounds or park around the White House are often closed. On the National Mall, sometimes you can’t bring a backpack or cooler or enter with a bike to events and concerts.

Around the memorials, traffic has been diverted, barriers erected and police presence heightened.

I’m not sure these policies will do much if some nut really wants to blow themselves up and take others with them, but I have no problem with the added security measures. If it makes people feel a bit more secure, I guess that’s a good trade off. Bit I just laugh when 80 year old grandmothers are searched entering a museum.

One benefit, keeping vehicle traffic out of these areas has made them more pedestrian and bike friendly.

So to me it’s not more than a slight inconvenience, usually taking less than a minute. Now if I could only remember to take my extra camera battery out of my pocket, I’d probably get through security faster.

By: Rod

Rod — Fri, 22 May 2009 17:55:44 +0000

Hi Stewie………I think you are on to something…..The US Tourism & Travel Board is behind the whole thing…….and I thought it was Dr. No….

By: Stewie_B

Stewie_B — Fri, 22 May 2009 17:40:56 +0000

Oh! My! Don’t you know that paranoia is the oldest trick in the book. You get the people riled up and this breeds more paranoia. I mean really, talk about having control issues

I’ve seen people get really nutty about the H1N1 flu virus. Really, it was a great way to make sure people stay at home and SPEND MONEY traveling around their city and state. I bet you didn’t think about one!

By: Rod

Rod — Fri, 22 May 2009 16:56:14 +0000

Thanks for the feedback……..just wanted to be sure people keep things in perspective…..you know what they say…..”paranoia will destroy ya’”……..