After seeing a movie last night (Tango) I was thinking about
the horrors which have occurred in Guatemala, Nicaragua, El
Salvador, and elsewhere. "Disappearances", torture,
terrorism in the name of drug prevention, anti-communism,
whatever. Then I thought of being a tourist in these same
locales, where the people are the survivors of this madness.
I enter with peace and curiosity. I know little of what is
behind those eyes and why the people seem so shy and quiet.
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Sorry that's so depressing, but we have a way of glossing
over these things and picturing the reality we choose to
see. Any comments or observations? I do think that our
continued tourism and involvement as individuals in these
countries helps the healing process. Am I being naive?
travel to these places. I have chosen to wait until hopefully things calm down. Being female especially scares me in traveling to these locales.
I don't think you are naive though I have met many people that have traveled to these places and have loved it.
I try to stay in places owned by locals, eat in locals'
restaurants, buy local. The money goes to the people, not
someone connected to the oligarchies. It seems to help,
judging by some responses I've gotten, and the beginnings
of prosperity I've seen over the years.
The more people visit these countries, the more
international attention is focused on the human rights
issues there, so it helps. Especially if the tourists learn
a little of the recent history of the places they visit, it
will help them understand the culture.
Being from the US and going to Central America is more
complicated because of the US government's responsibility in
the mess ... it's good if you can help dispel stereotypes by
being respectful and friendly.