The legitimate aspiration and desire of every human being to know other worlds becomes increasingly burdensome every day. The cost of transport and accommodation is rising; there are greater bureaucratic hurdles for the traveller; with more restrictive rules imposed by each country. And conflict zones proliferate year after year due to widespread instability. Still, some naive or idealistic individuals persist in fulfilling their dream, defying sensible warnings, discomforts, and dangers.
Isn't it admirable that stubborn traveller who, unharmed, circumnavigated the globe with his dog sleeping in the porches? Or that spirited citizen who travelled across five continents by bicycle? Or the intrepid ones who decide, with no apparent need and disregarding all prudence, to travel to areas where it is not improbable that a missile might fall next to them, be kidnapped for their appearance or the passport they display, or be assaulted for a pitiful handful of dollars?
Not long ago, tourism was motivated by: spreading out in a different place, for its attractive environment, cultural interest, or mere curiosity; it benefited both the local and the visitor, often the main source of income; the foreigner had the backing of their Embassy in case of any mishap. Today, a globetrotter may find themselves facing their worst nightmare. The press and social media highlighted the case of Hannah Almond, a 32-year-old British fashion expert. Arriving in the mythical Cuzco (Peru) last March, a stage in a journey through South American countries, she mysteriously disappeared in May after being involved in a police operation.
She lost her passport and money. Despite communicating with her diplomatic representation, she slept under a bridge for a month. She faced unspeakable difficulties: expired visa, accusations of illegal substance use denied by her relatives. Family and friends revealed her “extremely” vulnerable situation: sexual assaults may have deteriorated her mental health. Fortunately, she was found days after the alarming alert. Her case highlights the abandonment many foreigners face in various parts of the world, entangled in bureaucracy: many suffer imprisonment for unclear reasons; others left no trace.♦