| Travel guidebooks are like bibles for most travelers | | | | 2. Japanese Encephalitis - A disease carried by |
| and sources of information salvation in a tight spot. | | | | mosquitoes that attacks the brain and causes |
| Just try to avoid the horror section. | | | | neurological damage resulting in blindness, paralysis and, |
| Travel Guides | | | | well, isn't that enough? I'll never look at Sushi the same |
| You've saved up some hard earned cash and are | | | | way again. |
| ready to hit the road. If you don't have a firm | | | | 3. Dengue Fever - Carried by mosquitoes that are |
| destination in mind, you'll inevitably find yourself sitting in | | | | active in the day, this little bugger does nasty things to |
| a bookstore somewhere reading travel guides. | | | | your joints and there is no cure. Not to be confused |
| Regardless of the brand, you usually get an overview | | | | with "disco fever," an equally dangerous disease from |
| of the destination and particular areas recommend by | | | | the 70's. |
| the author. Hotels, restaurants and so forth will also be | | | | 4. Schistosomiasis - My personal favorite. The larvae |
| set forth. This is particularly good for such | | | | of flatworms burrowing into your skin cause this nasty |
| establishments as they often can raise their prices | | | | little disease! Visions of the bursting stomach scene |
| above anyone else in the area! | | | | from the first Alien movie moved uneasily through my |
| Of course, you already know all of the above if you've | | | | mind. |
| so much as ventured out of your house at any point in | | | | Being skeptical, you're undoubtedly thinking such |
| your life. Our discussion today focuses on the fear | | | | nastiness is specific to Asia. If so, I invite you to explore |
| factor of travel guides. Yes, I am talking about the | | | | a travel guide for the location you live in the next time |
| warning sections. | | | | you're blowing time in a bookstore. You might be |
| Travel Warnings | | | | surprised to learn about the nasty things all around you. |
| Every travel guide contains a chapter of horrors. The | | | | One of my all time favorites was a warning I read in a |
| chapter is typically called something like "stay safe" or | | | | travel guide for Brazil. No less than five pages were |
| "a word of caution." In legal terms, these sections are | | | | spent discussing a tiny bug that could be found on the |
| known as the "CYA" area, which stands for "cover | | | | beaches. This aggressive little guy could be expected |
| your..." Reading them is wise, but the editors go just a | | | | to burrow under your toenails if you didn't wear shoes |
| little overboard. | | | | on the beach! I have my doubts. I seriously doubt the |
| I once took a spontaneous trip to Asia. I literally walked | | | | "Girl from Ipanema" strolled by wearing boots! |
| into an airport, purchased a ticket and picked up a | | | | Now, I am not suggesting in any way that you ignore |
| travel guide on the way to the gate. As the 19-hour | | | | the various health warnings. Read the horror section of |
| flight got underway, I had the novel idea to actually | | | | your travel guide and form your own opinions. After all, |
| read something about my travel destinations. Halfway | | | | you might be the unlucky soul who gets |
| through the horror section, I was ready to hijack the | | | | schistosomiasis. |
| plane and return to Los Angeles. The various disease | | | | Rick Chapo is with Nomad Travel Journals - makers |
| that were clearly going to kill me included: | | | | of writing journals. Travel journals are great travel |
| 1. Malaria - Okay, I already knew about this and wasn't | | | | accessories and travel gifts for student travel, family |
| that concerned. Fever, the shakes, joint pain - hey, | | | | vacations and adventure travel. Visit for more travel |
| that's traveling! | | | | articles. |