I assume that my theory of sustainable tourism is being tested as we just experienced an earthquake. No damage, fortunately, but a test of nerves nevertheless.
It has been only a few weeks since we returned to the United States after living three glorious years in Italy. I had thought that my biggest challenges would be helping the kids adjust to their new environment, unpacking, dealing with the emotion of leaving our Italian friends and a lifestyle we adored, and marketing, SPEAK MILK. DRINK WINE, the book I wrote to memorialize our grand Italian adventure. After all, we had chosen as our new American home, San Diego, a warm-weather, ocean-front paradise like no other. As it stands, the challenges would be more considerable. On Monday, October 22, 2007, we found ourselves in the midst of one of the worst natural disasters to ever plague the United States, now dubbed the Fire Storm of 2007. By Tuesday we were under voluntary evacuation and started packing, preparing for the worst. I packed insurance documents, the deed for the house, birth certificates, and passports. I packed water bottles, a loaf of bread, and a large jar of peanut butter. I packed blankets and pillows. Then I looked around the house. I needed to be prudent filling up what was left of the space in our trunk. As I surveyed the house, I began doing what I imagine many others have done in similar situations. I asked myself what things just couldn't be replaced. I was absolutely amazed how many extra things I had in my home that I didn't need or that wouldn't represent a significant loss to me in contrast with escaping with our lives and our health. The delicately carved pieces from India on the mantle were beautiful, but unnecessary. The travel and reference books that line the shelves of my office, so helpful, but equally unimportant. I took instead a framed article written about Steve and I and our raising and training of Guide Dogs. In the family room, I took four framed family photos off the wall. In the kids' room, one of the seven Little League trophy for each of my sons that could memorialize for them the other years they played. In the den, a series of videos of the kids from birth through five years of age. In the dining room, a photo of my late grandmother. In the living room, some of the kids' first drawings. It was only much later that I realized I had not packed a stitch of clothing or a toothbrush. I have spoken internationally on the subject of image restoration in tourism areas. In recent years there have been so many locations devastated not only by natural disaster or terrorism, but by the negative imagery in the form of photographs and videos digitally transmitted around the globe. It takes so much effort to undo such indelible images and so much effort to reinstitute trust in the hearts and minds of travelers who once saw a destination as paradise and now see it as the home of grief and fear. So, let me take this moment to remind our readers of the importance of returning to areas that have been hard-hit by disastrous events. While I’m not in anyway suggesting imprudence in the decision-making process – assessing present risk to safety is critical in any travel decision – I am suggesting not allowing negative images and sensationalized press coverage to influence the decision of where and when to travel. As it relates to the current situation, I would not suggest that our readers pack their bags and come to see us in San Diego at the moment. Although the firefighters are closing in on containment, they aren't there yet. Anyway, we'll be covered with ash and breathing smoky air for a few weeks. What I am suggesting is that as soon as things are back to normal in a few weeks, that travelers put things in perspective and remember that 99% of the hotels in San Diego County have been unaffected by any structural damage and that 99% of the tourist sites in the area are expected to be operational in a weeks time. Amazing, but perfectly true. While I'm on the subject, I'll also put a plug in for pausing to be grateful for all that we have, and remembering those who have suffered great economic and emotional losses. It is truly staggering how little we actually need. We need to secure the safety of those we love. We need to safeguard a few treasured memories that speak to the time we've had so far on this earth. We need clean water, food, shelter, and attention to our medical needs. And other than that, we need a little faith that everything happens for a reason, and in my case, that meant the reminder to pause and reflect on the joys I wrote about in my book, but that will always need to be more than poignant words on a page. View my book at www.speakmilk.com |
|
PERSONAL PROFILE
 I traded my litigation briefcase for a stay-at-home-mom Lego Carry-Case and Playschool Medical Kit, complete with actual working stethoscope, and ultimately a suitcase and laptop with wireless card and high-speed modem. All endeavors have their challenges but I'll take juggling the role of Mom and Travel Journalist, over picking fights with other lawyers, or breaking up disputes over toys at home - on a daily basis, at least. Writing has always been my passion and, whether the subject matter has been the courtroom or the Taj Mahal, I have been writing for all of my adult life. What started out as journal writing when I, my husband and two children (ages 8 and 10) moved to Italy, became a 350 page, soon-to-be-published, manuscript called SPEAK MILK; DRINK WINE. What began as a passion for hotels, resulted in an international communications business aimed at helping them to achieve their potential. I am extremely critical of every aspect of the hotel experience, having been trained by global experts in the luxury travel industry. I critically review every aspect of a hotel from housekeeping, to front-desk responsiveness, ambience to food. So, if you read one of my reviews and I actually rave about the experience, you can be assured the hotel is quite close to perfection. I have written for the New York Times, the Gallivanters Guide, the Fodors Guide, Travel & Marketing Magazine, American Magazine, Transitions Abroad, the Record Review, Imagine Communications Breath-Taking Itineraries Newsletter and many internet-based travel sites (non of which holds a candle to Just the Planet, of course!) I was recently invited to speak at the International Institute for Peace Through Tourism Global Summit in Pattaya, Thailand, where I spoke on the image restoration and recovery of destinations affected by terrorism and natural disaster.
|
