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The Three Stooges of travel

Sep 3, 2009

Fear, Ignorance and Inertia – these “three stooges” keep a lot of people from traveling. North Americans in general, and US citizens in particular, can be very timid travelers. We are all easy victims for a news media that plays to worst case scenarios. It is little wonder that people are often afraid to travel when the news is filled with stories of flu, drug violence, riot and terrorism.

The fact of the matter is, however, that most travelers will never encounter anything more troublesome abroad than a stolen purse or a picked pocket. The day-to-day crime in most foreign destinations to which the majority of North Americans travel is less prolific and violent than that found within a ten mile radius of those same travelers’ front door.

It is more the more mundane issues that keep people from traveling. For example, only 28% of US citizens have a passport. By and large, we are a geographically challenged people, with a poor understanding of other cultures and people. When people know very little about travel’s logistics, fearing what they do not know, they fail to act. Inertia takes over and a potential traveler stays at home rather than risking a vacation beyond the borders.

We are also a victim of our own advances. Believe it or not, many so-called travelers subsist on internationalism by visiting Disney World and living vicariously through casual and arm’s length means. Its baffling how many people actually feel like they’ve satisfied an international experience by visiting Morocco or Japan in the World Showcase of EPCOT. Others fulfill their international dreams by tuning into the Travel Channel or by going to Little Italy or Chinatown and having a meal. Not to diss on these means of experiencing a local flare of internationlism, but having Cappellini Primavera at CASA BELLA in a borough of New York isn’t the same as having gelato along the banks of the Grand Canal in Venice.

One may also say that cost is an issue, but as Colonel Sherman Potter used to say “HORSE HOCKEY!” There are so many ways to make travel affordable that all you have to do is want to do it and you can. Here are few suggestions:

Get a credit card that helps you earn miles for a free airline ticket
Plan to eat simple meals while on vacation
Take advantage of the all-inclusiveness of cruising. Meals, entertainment, accommodations and more, all for one price
If your days are about getting out and doing, why stay at a 5-star resort for $250/night? If you just need a clean comfortable room, there are options for lodging that range from simple inns to hostels that can help you use your wallet for other indugences
Travel during off-peak season: A cruise in early December before the holidays is loads cheaper than a cruise over New Year’s. The weather in Fiji is the same year round, but travel in the early fall elicit better rates than during holiday time when the demand is greater.

With all due respect to everyone’s individual needs and abilities, don’t be a stooge! A few proverbs to make the point:

-Life is short…play hard.

-When the final whistle blows, don’t be left holding the ball wishing you had played the game.

-Don’t be the one who’s headstone will read: “If only she had spent less time at the office”