Health

I had wanted to do the Silk Road again for some time and finally talked my husband into going. Since I planned on spending 30 days, I added a few places to the beginning of the itinerary that I had not yet visited.

(Second of two parts)

La Paz

by Alan M. Spira, M.D.

I was deeply moved when I read the letter titled “Coping With the Red Tape of an Overseas Death.” It was incredible to read about the obstacles Mrs. Patterson had to overcome after her husband’s sudden demise. I offer my sincerest condolence.

I would like to add the following to Mrs. Patterson’s recommendations.

Be sure you know the appropriate country’s emergency phone numbers for medical emergencies and police. Having an operational telephone card is a sine qua non, although usually you can access emergency numbers from any phone without a telephone card.

The earthquake off the island of Sumatra in December 2004 left its mark on 2005. The earthquake did its own damage, but the tsunami it generated did far worse, devastating lives and land for a thousand miles around. The wave continues to ripple in other ways, in terms of damaged health and lost tourism.

In February a few years ago, a group of middle-aged novice travelers ventured to Costa Rica to tour Braulio Carrillo National Park, which rises and falls between cool, high mountains and low, torrid jungles, all of it washed by swift, curving rivers and waterfalls.

Unbeknown to them, this lovely, pristine region was a mosquito-infested area fraught with health perils. Eight of the group’s members contracted traveler’s diarrhea, four came down with typhoid fever and two were infected with malaria.

I use the following technique to prevent being separated from my essentials at airport security (Nov. ’04, pg.18).