There is a lot of fear floating around the world these days. Each time I turn on the news, there are images of destruction and unrest all around the world. It’s no wonder people have a fear of travel.
When all you see are countries in turmoil, you want to hold up in your own little corner and wait for things to settle down. But if you hold onto that fear of travel, you’ll be missing out.
Recently we spent some time with my parents in Florida. Mom and dad had 24 hour news stations going on whenever we were in the house. It was a barrage of constant negativity and destruction.
They could filter it out and not let it affect them, but I felt depressed just watching it. When we told them our next stop after Florida was Dubai, my dad’s question was, Is it safe? As I read Rick Steves latest Op-Ed for the Los Angeles Times entitled Tune out Cable News and Turn Away Fear, I thought of my dad’s question. Rick Steves first line states “I miss the days when people would say “Bon voyage” to travelers heading off. Today, Americans instead say “Travel safely.”
Fight the Fear of Travel
You don’t have to fear travel.
Dave and I have travelled the globe for 15 years. We’ve been to 105 countries, and in that time we’ve travelled through many places that people are afraid of. Places like Sudan.
We visited Sri Lanka during an election following a 30 year civil war and we were in Myanmar during the reign of the military junta.
I don’t think we ever had anyone say “be safe”, or ask us” is it safe to go there” more than we have these past few years.
But does a riot in Baltimore stop you from traveling to New York or LA? Of course not.
If I went by the images on my TV set, I’d never travel to the United States. Last year there were shootings at Canada’s national parliament.
The images on the news were terrifying, but that hasn’t stopped people from visiting our country.
So why do so many people decide not to travel abroad when something happens elsewhere?
Enjoy our: 6 Tips to Help you Face Your Fears
A Warm welcome in Sudan
We have always believed that travel breaks down barriers and opens people’s minds.
That is why when we saw TripIt’s latest interview with Rick Steves talking about the fear of travel we were excited to share it. Rick Steves is a travel icon.
He has been traveling through Europe for more than 30 years and has seen it all.
When we first travelled to Paris in 1998, we watched his videos on VHS to get an idea of what to see and do.
He says, “It is really no more dangerous now than it was before.” And we agree. Sadly, human nature hasn’t changed. There has been violence and corruption since the dawn of time and I don’t see anything changing any time soon.
However, through our travels, we have seen and learned that the majority of people in the world are kind and good.
Read: Inspirational People we’ve met during our travels
Rick Steves Discusses the Fear of Travel with TripIt
[responsive-video identifier=”WRhdycOXw4?list=PLxzHGN2FFDF-FcLjmLXSQRNp82RJi9rbD”]Now don’t get me wrong, Dave and I don’t go looking for trouble when traveling and we aren’t saying you should travel to unsafe places.
We avoid places that have unrest or are in the middle of a military hotspot. We didn’t know elections were going on when we booked our flight to Sri Lanka, and when cycling through Africa, we made sure to steer clear of the Western side of the country and Darfur.
As it turned out Myanmar, Sudan and Sri Lanka are the three countries that touched our hearts the most.
The people were friendly and welcoming. They loved to talk to us and they made us feel safe.
We aren’t saying to seek out areas of unrest, but we are saying, don’t let the images flashing through your TV screen scare you off leaving your house.
Need help overcoming your fear of travel? Read Gise and Andy’s Post: Top 10 Fears of Becoming a Traveler
What is Fear?
Travel helps educate us.
Fear is the unknown. Get out there and educate yourself and learn about other cultures and religions and you’ll see that we are all more similar than you think. Rick Steves says, “The flip side of fear is understanding, and we gain understanding when we travel.”
Enjoy: Freedom to Travel, Never Take it for Granted
Smiling book sellers in Yangon, Myanmar.
Travel stays with us for years to come. We have never learned so much as we have during our travels.
I think we are better people because of it. Travel is the best education.
You can read all you want in a text book or look at photographs and research online, but until you visit a place and experience the sights, the smells and the sounds, you won’t understand it.
Enjoy: How to Make Your Travels Meaningful
Travel to Places People don’t Understand
Hanging out with locals in the Sudanese desert.
Many people worry about Iran, but we have only heard incredible things about the people there and it’s been high on our list of places to visit for some time.
But looking at the news, one would never consider a visit to Iran. We were happy to hear that Rick Steves visited Tehran and talked about how he was nervous to bring his big camera.
He didn’t know how the public would react to an American video crew. It turned out, he has never encountered such friendly people anywhere. This is a man that has been everywhere.
So the message is, don’t let your fears stop you from traveling. It’s a big world out there filled with beautiful people. Isn’t it time we started celebrating the diversity of the world rather than fearing it?
Ron says
Rick Steves ! My kind of travelling !
Ron says
Rick travels in Europe ! I´m not afraid of vino, beautiful hotels, good food and wonderful woman…
What a life ! Great guy !
ANJANA says
AMAZING VIDEO. ALL PICTURES ARE SHOWING THAT HOW YOU WERE ENGAGED IN THIS TRIP…
GOOD WORK GUYS…
Ron says
Rick is great guy !
Dave and Deb says
We haven’t met him, but he seems like an amazing person.
Jeff Dobbins says
I love this. it’s such an important message for this bizarre moment in which we live. Thanks for sharing it.
Kristy of Migration Expert US says
Fear cannot stop people from pursuing his/her dreams to travel for that particular country or place. This is an awesome article and truly an eye opener.
rasel ahmed says
i support your suggestions cause traveling is always adventerous. But i also think that it is more easy to travel alone or travel with a group of friends but when i travel with my family i have to be little more careful.
Janet Hanpeter says
Thank you so much, Deb & Dave for this beautiful post- both your own wonderful words of wisdom and the great interview with Rick Steves! I am also an international traveler (over 70 countries) who loves to travel to the more exotic places. In fact, I recently returned from 3 weeks in Turkey (some tour, some independent) and loved it, feeling safe the entire time with the lovely, warm Turkish people. I was saddened to learn that tourism has already been down this year for Turkey (because of people’s fears) and they’re expecting worse for next year – economically hurting the huge numbers of locals who so capably serve the tourism industry. We intrepid travelers need to continue to educate and help people break through irrational fears about travel and encourage them to keep traveling – which is what you do so well! Keep up the great work!!
Elena says
I thrown away my tv 8 going on 9 years ago – the best decision I have ever made! I don’t read/watch/listen to those who watch news…. I’m always traveling because I have NO fear! .. zero. I’m out of the Matrix and the “1984′ WORLD that has been build around us… Truman show/1984 at it’s finest. If I didn’t see it with my own eyes, I don’t want want to hear about it. I have traveled and lived on 6 continents just fine. So this Matrix of fear/hatred can kiss my ars… I am not afraid of anything… not even death. Happy Travels : )
Dave and Deb says
Good for you! You can learn so much by traveling. And congraluations on 6 continents. Keep on exploring and enjoying your time out of the Matrix.
[email protected] The British Berliner says
I totally agree. Thanks so much for the various posts and articles. Travel broadens the mind and opens the eyes of the world. And as the wonderful Winston Churchill said during a time of real worry in WWII, “the only thing to fear, is fear itself.”
Dave and Deb says
Well said, why do we not follow his words. It seems that since that time, it’s changed to “we must be afraid, very afraid.” The news generates so much anger and fear, I hope there is an awakening in the future and people turn off the 24 hour news stations. Just the other day, I had CNN on again and they reported on the upcoming Baltimore police trials. If they would have left it with informing the public of what was going on and reporting on the subject, it would have been fine, but instead they reported on the events, and then brought in an analyst and started analyzing all the scenarios and outcomes. I turned off the TV and said to Dave, why can’t they just report responsibly. Why do they then need to bring in a panel of experts to argue and discuss. It should now be in the courts hands.
Kerstin Pilz says
Thanks for this post. It’s timely and important and I couldn’t agree more. I travelled to Oman a couple of months after 9/11. Most people had never heard of Oman but everybody was quick to warn me against travelling to a Muslim country in the aftermath of 9/11. The world was in fear of Muslims back then and it is the same scenario now. The Omani people were incredibly friendly, hospitable and grateful that we had come to visit and find out for ourselves that not every bearded Muslim is a violent extremist. It was an eyeopener. Travel is the best education. I am very happy to hear about Rick’s positive experiences in Iran. It’s on my priority list for 2016. Thanks for a great post.
John Miller says
The post is really wonderful! In spite of chaos and destruction around the world, there are still things that give us the reason to smile, laugh and enjoy. Kudos to your effort and I really appreciate it! Enjoy bro..
Dave and Deb says
Thanks John. It’s tough when so much destruction and tragedy is in our face each day. But when you turn off the TV and go outside, you see that the world is beautiful and people are kind. Yes, there is war, disaster, suffering and pain in this world, but there is also great compassion, people who are out there helping and making the world a better place and there is great laughter. I don’t have the answers on how to create world peace, but I think if we all stop traveling, that would be the greatest tragedy of all.
Izy Berry says
I love this post !! and your are right these days when you watch tv the only things you would see is destruction but you have to pray about all the humans around the world that are suffering but that doesnt mean that you would not travel
Dave and Deb says
I think the problem is TV is 24/7 and places like CNN and Fox News spend hours analyzing every little detail. It makes everyone so angry and it perpetuates hate and frustration. I think it even contributes to discrimination. It’s important to be informed, but it is also important to turn it off, go out of the house and meet your fellow man/woman. Be it neighbours, friends or people around the world. Once we all talk, we see that we are similar and want the same thing…happiness and peace.
berber experiences says
I just love the way you click pictures. They are always awesome. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Dave and Deb says
Thank you for the kind words.
Prasad Rane says
I just love the way you click pictures. They are always awesome. Thanks for sharing
the-worldwide says
If travelling is a adventure, so there are no reason to fear. I appreciate your fearless adventures, keep it up and best of luck.
Dave and Deb says
Thank you. I hope more people travel without fear in the future. It is surprising once you go to another country to see just how calm and “normal” everyone is. Other place are often very similar to home. People smile and are friendly, they are helpful and welcoming.
Visiit says
Really i appreciate your sharing this post. Thanks. Keep writing.
Dave and Deb says
Thank you!