I will never be accused of turning travel into an itinerary-driven assault on a series of must-see wonders. I prefer a starting point, a few key points of interest, and a grueling marathon home. On the road I connect the dots en route through a chaotic combination of as many dirt tracks or secondary roads possible. Connecting dots often means nights on the side of the road, in gas station parking lots or nursing coffee in a 24hr Denny’s restaurant booth. I wonder on with the naive to assumption we can roll into any town at midnight and find a bed. Stuborn...
Despite my travel planning shortcomings, there is one habit I have formed that I hope to instil in my daughter. The habit of reading alternative news sources, literature, history and information on the natural environment of our destination. Understanding different perspectives is one of the enriching aspects of travel. This habit is a great way to get a footing in your destination and know what to do if you get bit by something you've never seen before. It can also inspire curiosity, open-mindedness, and an enduring interest in political issues, activism, authors, poets, and so on.
One of my enduring interests has been the literature, politics, and human rights issues of Latin America. While trying to enforce order on one of my bookshelves this past weekend, I came across the first issue I received as a subscriber to the North American Congress on Latin America (nacla.org): the November/December issue of 2003. Through the years I have found this publication to be a refreshing change from the corporate media’s coverage of the region. In addition, it provides fresh perspectives on policy decisions made north of the Mexican/US border. If you are planning a trip to the region, or have an interest in world politics, I highly recommend NACLA.