But the stories provided a telling picture of changes in two societies that Americans are free to visit. Within two weeks of publishing those articles, terrorist bombs were set off in Israel, and there was military conflict between the countries. More than a year ago I accepted an article written by a Pinellas woman relating how much she enjoyed two vacations in Haiti, probably the most impoverished nation in the Western Hemisphere. Despite U.S. military intervention to restore democracy in 1995, Haitians continue to suffer human rights abuses and civil violence. But as it turned out, her visits occurred in calmer times and no longer reflect what a typical trip might now be.
Travelers also face issues created by natural events.
Not a place most travelers would go today for a relaxing vacation. But about two years ago, a public relations executive tried to persuade me to write about the Caribbean island. But it had not erupted, she countered. When it does, I told her, I hope the only people around to see it are vulcanologists, not vacationing tourists. In the past few weeks, Times reporter David Adams has told us what Montserrat looks like covered by a few feet of volcanic ash.