August 2011

As ITN went to press, the State Department had travel warnings on 33 destinations: Afghanistan, Algeria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Eritrea, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Israel/West Bank/Gaza, Kenya, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Mexico, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Uzbekistan and Yemen.

For details, call the State Department at 202/647-5225 or visit www.travel.state.gov.

Good news for Uganda! Health officials announced in June that the country is confirmed free of ebola. The last case was in 2006. A national task force set up in 2000 tracked and helped contain the spread of the disease.

• Puyehue Cordon Caulle Volcano in Chile erupted on June 4, throwing up a cloud of ash more than six miles high. Winds pushed the ash plume eastward, causing flight cancellations and delays all over South America and then in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The cloud started its second pass over Chile in late June, triggering further airport closures.

The volcano is expected to remain active, with another large eruption possible.

• Violent street protests and widespread work strikes continue in Greece in opposition to the “Austerity Measures” passed by the legislature in June to prevent national bankruptcy. Public and private sector workers all have been striking for days at a time in Athens and other cities. Travelers should plan for transport delays and shutdowns and business closures.

The Department of State warns of the risks of terrorist activity in the Philippines, particularly in the Sulu Archipelago and on Mindanao, though attacks could occur in other areas, including Manila.

Sporadic clashes have occurred between lawless groups and the Philippine Armed Forces throughout Mindanao, particularly in rural areas. Kidnap-for-ransom gangs are active throughout the Philippines.

Many ITN readers who are addicted to international travel find themselves, periodically, in discussions with relatives, friends and acquaintances who express not being able to understand the lure, attraction, charm, etc., of international travel, particularly to very adventurous, challenging destinations.

How should the international travel addict respond?

One thing is certain. It makes no sense to ever try to force your love of international travel down someone else’s throat.

One cannot spend much time in the tiny multi-island nation of Malta without running smack-dab into the Knights of the Order of St. John.

You’re winging your way across Europe, having the time of your life, when you make a simple mistake. You set your bag down as you slurp an extra-large gelato, and before you know it your bag is gone. Unfortunately, today’s the day you tucked your passport, credit cards and extra cash in your bag instead of in your money belt. That sinking feeling is the realization that — except for the euro or two in your pocket — you’ve lost everything.

Will I have a medical emergency overseas? The short answer is ‘Probably not.’

Tell ITN about the funniest thing that ever happened to you while traveling in a foreign country. (ITN prints no info on destinations in the United States.) There are no restrictions on length. The ITN staff will choose each month’s winner, who will receive a free one-year subscription to ITN. Entries not chosen cannot be acknowledged.

This month’s winner is WILLIE KATE FRIAR of Lafayette, CO: