Have a Great Trip!

HILLARY
 I am leaving the country today, heading out for 10 days with my husband, and for the first time in all of my travels, I’m concerned about how we, as American citizens, will be received. For the first time, I registered with the State Department, to let them know where we will be in case there is any type of emergency. At a time when we should be totally carefree, instead I have this concern about sharing with people where we’re from. I hate it. I love being an American, and it’s very upsetting that I don’t feel safe telling people that’s where we’re from. It’s the first time in my life I’ve ever felt this way.

JACK
Your concerns are totally different than what I experienced at your age. The world has become a scary place, and there does not seem to be a safe haven anywhere. I traveled extensively, both for business and pleasure, but if we go back 50 years all Americans, almost everywhere, were received with open arms, a big smile, and a feeling that everybody wanted to be an American - if not in reality, certainly in spirit. Now, looking away from the dramatic drop in value of the American dollar, there seems to be an accompanying drop in prestige. Where foreigners regarded us as the vision of what can happen and there was very little anger, if any. It doesn’t seem to matter where you are traveling in Europe, the Middle East, the Orient, and even in this hemisphere. An American girl is murdered in Aruba with no solution. The authorities now have dropped any further activity. I wish I could say there is no cause for fear, but the fact is you travel at your own risk.

HILLARY
It’s just so strange for me to think that way. I have walked the streets of many cities outside the US, and I was always offered so much hospitality. Maybe I will be greeted with the same warmth now as I was five years ago, but I frightened that it won’t be the case, and I’m gearing up for that potential reality. I just don’t know how we get back to that place, where we don’t have to be afraid. Not afraid of our government, not afraid of traveling abroad, not afraid of some economic calamity, just some kind of peace that resembles our lives as they were five or ten years ago. How do we get back there?

JACK
There is no answer to that that I know of. I am usually extraordinarily optimistic about everything. I have always projected a positive attitude. And I am even surprised at myself as we have this discussion. In the very large picture, the feeling of animosity, fear, and crime is explainable. I think all of this is rooted in economics and cultural beliefs. On a personal level, we can all continue to enjoy our lives because the broader issue is not going to be resolved in short order. So you must just do a little bit of investigating, as you have, before traveling. And you should be aware of the dangers. I’m sure that, statistically, you’re safe. Because, obviously, the really bad things get publicity and all the carefree days in many parts of the world are taken for granted. But, there is no escaping the fact, that whether you’re in the United States, or traveling into the harsh parts of the world, the political and economic circumstances produce a greater danger. And this, unfortunately, is where the world is not as good as it was.

HILLARY
I think you’ve really hit it. We’re not going to go into some war zone, but we’re also not going be prisoners in our own home. We’re going to take all necessary precautions, and then go where we can, and enjoy as much of this planet as possible.

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