Columns

Q:Dear Steve, I’m a large lady, and on a recent domestic flight a gate agent took me aside and requested that I buy a second seat for myself. Fortunately, both the flight and my credit card had room on it, so I was able to do this, but I wondered, ‘What if I were traveling overseas?’

I’ve asked several international airlines what their policy is regarding “passengers of size” — inquiring how big the seats in the plane are and when a person would be required to buy two — but I cannot...

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(First of two parts)

Traveler’s diarrhea is nobody’s favorite topic — until they have it.

There is solid data showing a fair chance of having your digestive system act up when you travel. This may range from mild discomfort to severe illness impacting your journey — and even prematurely terminating the trip. This could include belly aches, cramps, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting. Some travelers, on the other hand, get constipated. (I have had patients state they wish they had that...

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by Philip Wagenaar.

With difficulty, I entered the jetway, my bags trailing behind me. Gingerly, I stepped over the plane’s threshold. Rows and rows of seats, crammed together like sardines in a can, stared at me.

“This can’t be true,” I thought. “Will I really have to be compressed into a chair that is too small, even for my 128-pound frame?”

The seats solemnly nodded back: “Unfortunately, you have no choice. You have to sit here. Despite the fare that you paid, the...

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I guess I’m a dinosaur. Though I now have a digital camera, I’m more comfortable with my old Nikon and slide film recording Moreen’s and my travels. Yes, these slides are the basis of my ITN articles, but, more so, they are our memories.

When screening slides for my Termessos, Turkey, article (Jan. ’07, pg. 102), one flashed on the screen that immediately brought back wonderful memories of another ancient village, Diocaesarea, better known now by its Turkish name, Uzuncaburç.

...

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by Julie Skurdenis

To me, it’s always been one of the most vivid passages in the New Testament.

It’s Herod Antipas’ birthday celebration. Salome, his stepdaughter, dances for him. Herod, entranced, swears he will give her anything she asks for. Salome, prompted by her mother, Herodias, who hates John the Baptist because he has denounced her marriage to Herod (she was divorced from Herod’s brother), asks for the Baptist’s head. John the Baptist is beheaded and his head brought...

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by Janet Denninger

Thanks to all of you readers who contacted me to let me know you like this column and to share your photographic questions. I do enjoy hearing from you and helping you to make your photos better. What I am learning from you is we all face the same challenges.

• A small, wise investment! Many of us stretch our budgets to buy the best camera for our purposes, then go out and drop it on a marble temple floor (personal experience). Most often this either breaks...

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Dear Globetrotter:

Welcome to the 372nd issue of your monthly overseas travel magazine.

Kenya’s Tourism and Wildlife Minister announced in November that, despite an expected increase in the number of tourists, the government will not license any new developments within the Maasai Mara Game Reserve until a “general master plan” is in place.

Adding new lodges or camps would put pressure on the environment, local communities and the park’s capacity, which is already...

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by Lew Toulmin

After suffering a fire in the Bahamas in March 2006, Star Princess recovered in amazing time and is now “the safest ship afloat.” I was on board Star Princess for her first voyage after the repair, and I can report that there is no evidence of fire damage, service is excellent, and safety standards are very high.

According to Cruise Director John Lawrence and other sources, the fire broke out at about 3:10 a.m. on March 23 on a port side balcony amidships, then...

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