Since September 11th, 2001, international travel has changed drastically. Quite honestly, all domestic travel has changed as well. Life since then will never be the same for anyone, not just when it comes to travel. Since many changes have been implemented in regards to domestic and international travel, travelers need to constantly be aware of what is going on. As many people have already discovered, the rules and regulations can change on a daily basis - especially with international travel. At airports very recently, a new terror threat caused much havoc for passengers carrying on many items. Airport garbage cans were overflowing with items that were banned and needed to be abandoned. Passports were checked and rechecked numerous times. Security for international travel was incredibly intense and should remain that way. It is a shame that there are such radicals in the world that have the need to force all of society to live in fear and paranoia when it comes to not only international travel, but life.
Remember the days of simply being able to show your driver's license and walk onto an airplane without having to be searched and searched again? The biggest fear was whether or not your plane would crash, and that was almost unheard of. Now, if you watch passengers sitting in the airport lounges and waiting in lines, they are all checking each other out and sizing one another up. I know this because I am one of them. I don't mean to be racist, but you can't help but notice certain individuals who may look suspicious because they appear a certain race. I flew right after September 11th, and there was a dark skinned gentleman waiting for the same flight as I was. As I sat there with the other passengers that were to be on the same flight as well, he got quite a few glances and stares. He began to look incredibly uncomfortable and while I felt a sense of sympathy for him at that moment, I couldn't help but put him through my own scrutiny as well.
International travel has its warnings for survival in an intended country as well, not just for the process of getting there. Americans are not as well liked throughout the world as they once were. All you have to do is open up the newspaper or turn on the television to see or hear other countries bashing Americans. Our government warns Americans to be cautious about international travel. There are many more dangers in the world today than there once were. International travel to some countries that are in the midst of wars is simply not wise. Many tourists do it every day, but it simply isn't the safest decision to make anymore. There was a time in my youth that I was determined to see the world. Now, with international travel being as risky as it is, my determination simply isn't there anymore.
Remember the days of simply being able to show your driver's license and walk onto an airplane without having to be searched and searched again? The biggest fear was whether or not your plane would crash, and that was almost unheard of. Now, if you watch passengers sitting in the airport lounges and waiting in lines, they are all checking each other out and sizing one another up. I know this because I am one of them. I don't mean to be racist, but you can't help but notice certain individuals who may look suspicious because they appear a certain race. I flew right after September 11th, and there was a dark skinned gentleman waiting for the same flight as I was. As I sat there with the other passengers that were to be on the same flight as well, he got quite a few glances and stares. He began to look incredibly uncomfortable and while I felt a sense of sympathy for him at that moment, I couldn't help but put him through my own scrutiny as well.
International travel has its warnings for survival in an intended country as well, not just for the process of getting there. Americans are not as well liked throughout the world as they once were. All you have to do is open up the newspaper or turn on the television to see or hear other countries bashing Americans. Our government warns Americans to be cautious about international travel. There are many more dangers in the world today than there once were. International travel to some countries that are in the midst of wars is simply not wise. Many tourists do it every day, but it simply isn't the safest decision to make anymore. There was a time in my youth that I was determined to see the world. Now, with international travel being as risky as it is, my determination simply isn't there anymore.
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