Dangerous travel or just fearful travelers?

March 24, 9:30 PMSF Budget Travel ExaminerErin Schneider

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Amman, Jordan. Photo from www.AdoreToExplore.com

Since my return from a year of eventful globe trotting, I’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions, presented from American friends and family. “What was your favorite country?” and “Who had the best food?” top the chart, but one of the most common questions is, “Did you ever feel you were in danger?”

I take this last query seriously and understand its legitimacy, especially because I was particularly nervous for my portion of travel throughout the Middle East; admittedly, my fear was partially due to our media's overabundant, fear-invoking reports. Also, I didn’t know why the women had to keep covered or how to read the Arabic alphabet or what all of the 4 a.m. chanting meant and this scared me. Because of my naivety, I was apprehensive and therefore fully understand this question now.

However, when I am asked about the “dangers” of other countries, I can’t help but crack a smile. I am an American. Specifically, a Midwesterner who relocated to San Francisco.  Guns, tasers, pepper spray, and crow bars all threaten me in both my Midwest and West Coast neighborhoods. My car has been broken into six times, I have been followed down dark streets and have stepped over homeless crack heads on my way to fancy dinner parties. Men have stared and spit out rude remarks to my girlfriends and I as we’ve scampered past and even in the safety of my own home, the news often sounds off about violence widespread throughout our land-- another robbery, stabbing, homicide or rape. Sometimes I wonder how I have managed to stay safe in my own country. So when people say a world destination is too dangerous, I first ask why. If visiting a place where we have preconceived notions or know little about is considered dangerous, I would advocate this kind of "dangerous travel" and this is why:

It is only fair to compare and to differentiate between real and imagined dangers in foreign lands. Let’s take travel in the Middle East as an example. Upon my arrival, a Jordanian man and his children helped me into their homey hostel and invited me downstairs for sweet tea and a chat. Shortly after, I was offered a sip off a nargileh from a Bedouin tribesman and entertained with music from his homemade instrument. This type of hospitality became a pattern in the Middle East, going as far as a stranger pulling out a wad of cash in Jerusalem's bus station, urging me to take the shekels so I could experience all the city had to offer. And the stories continue. A taxi driver took a detour just to introduce me to his entire family while we sipped mint tea in his formal sitting room. Because I did not let unreasonable fear dictate my itinerary, I was educated about Middle Eastern food, marriage in Muslim countries and the day-to-day traditions of the people. Suddenly, I was not so scared.

Bedouin man smokes the nargileh. Photo from www.AdoreToExplore.com

Since many Muslim Middle Easterners do not drink alcohol, there are few reports of incidents such as bar fights or drunk driving or inebriated domestic disagreements. And because families are large and watch out for one another, it is rare to hear of someone needing to steal or rob in order to have enough money to live. In fact, it was in the Middle East where I was urged to pick ripe fruit from the farmers' fields for free. It was in the Middle East that people offered to direct me when I was lost, gave me rides up steep hills when I was biking and lent me money when I could not find an ATM. When I started to understand the religion and way of life, I not only had nothing to fear, but I preferred it. I felt the community really took care of its people and that I was safe.

Now, I am not suggesting that travelers be lax when in a foreign country; they must always be aware of their surroundings and not call attention to themselves. Before visiting a foreign country, tourists can check the United States Department of State website for travel alerts in various countries. For women, it is riskier to explore alone, but possible. And yes, sometimes along the way, robbers may want to take a purse or steal a camera, but I personally did not guard my possessions any heavier than I do when in my homeland and certainly never felt as if my life was in danger.

So although the question about perils in other countries is always legitimate and while I would continue to suggest checking the country’s political stability before making a journey, it is likely that the places we fear can teach the most to our American society. Anxiety should never inhibit us from exploring other lands because as the famous writer Aldous Huxley said, “To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries.”