It's risky.

While I have received much positive feedback regarding my upcoming travels, I have also encountered those who are less than thrilled with my plans. Their comments generally come from a place of concern that is best illustrated in these two questions: "isn't that kind of a dangerous place to go?" and "but why would you go THERE?"

Hmm...ok so let's be real shall we? Traveling is dangerous. Heck living is dangerous if you really think about it. Driving on any freeway could result in an accident, hiking in the summer sun without water can lead to dehydration, a trip to the local convenience store could end in getting robbed, biking on a city street can result in getting doored...an airplane can crash, an illness can kill you, a person could assault you, a drink could be drugged, or you could just drop dead. Seriously.

But we don't generally worry about those or any number of other things. We live, we work, we see our families, we run errands and we do whatever else we want or need to do. That includes traveling. So maybe not everyone leaves the country, and of those that leave the country, there are fewer who go off to non-Westernized, non-industrialized nations. But if or where we travel doesn't mean we don't face risks everyday. We do. Maybe we don't think about the risks, maybe we don't want to, or maybe we are aware and that is enough. Or maybe we are just used to them and have forgotten how much risk or danger we face on a daily basis. I recognize that the risks we may face here in a Westernized country, may not feel as "risky" as those faced when you travel elsewhere. And it is true that being in an industrialized nation means there is infrastructure that is responsive to danger and risk and most types of health or safety issues. But there are an alarming number of children in Westernized countries diagnosed on the autism spectrum, eating disorders are most prevalent in industrialized nations, and at this very moment the BP oil disaster continues; even the most powerful countries in the world don't have answers for everything.

The feelings of safety and security are just that, they are feelings. There are legitimate concerns about living, and about traveling. I think the most we can do is be informed so that we are able to make the best decisions possible. So, in order to address some of the concerns and feelings that a trip of this type may elicit, here are a few thoughts:

- Yes diseases/infections like Typhoid, Hepatitis A and B, Tetanus, and Malaria are found in most of the countries in Central
America. Immunizations are the best course of action against them.
- Yes tourists have been victims of crime in foreign countries. Pickpockets and robberies are the most common throughout the
world, not just in Central America. It is a proven business model that has been in place for generations and as long as it
works, it will continue. There are always precautions one can take and sometimes they will be effective and sometimes they
will not.
- Yes the rainy season has begun and thus there will be storms and flooding which may destroy roads and impede travel. Lucky
for me I don't melt in the rain! Also, people in Central America fortunately or unfortunately are used to this weather and the
issues that come with it. The best thing to do is follow their lead and take it in stride.
- Yes there are mosquitos, sand flies, fire ants, scorpions, snakes and any number of other creatures that bite and sting. But
did you know that of the 135 species of snakes in Central America only 17 are venomous? Or that Costa Rica has over 1000
species of butterflies?
- Yes communication is not as it is in a Westernized nation, it may actually take a few days versus a few minutes. Internet
cafe's, calling centers, Skype, phone booth's and even cheap cell phones are all available throughout Central America/Mexico.
- Yes traveling across borders (whether it is by bus, foot, plane, van, boat) is never simple. And then, one day, when you least
expect it, it is.
- Yes traveling solo is risky. So is traveling in a group or with another person. There are risks no matter what, and the best one
can do is be aware and be prepared.

So the moral of this little missive? I think Denis Waitley expressed it best, "Life is inherently risky. There is only one big risk you should avoid at all costs, and that is the risk of doing nothing."