lyb

Personally, I worry more (if I worry at all) about dying at work..now that would be sad and pathetic...as many others have said, at least if I die while traveling, I will dying happy. Yes, it would cause extra problems for my family, but I assume that wherever I die, they might be upset,but once again, if I die on a trip, at least they would know that I died happy!

Cole

"2.4 million American tourists visited France alone last year - and it was a slow year" Then I wonder why there are no English captions in any of the museums or galleries?

Getting back to the subject, I would buy travel insurance, and ignore strangers that approach you on the street. Have you considered taking a friend with you?

SeaUrchin

I think I might as well die on a trip, at least I was doing something interesting, I assume.

"If my health was so bad that I feared dropping dead in Europe, I would not go"


"For the sake of the officials' sanity, I should hope I wouldn't do anything afterwards."
Like what, Clifton, walking like a zombe, saying wooooooo?

Peeky, I don't mean to poke fun, I hope you are a healthy, lively lady and just have normal concerns for a first trip.

And people do post some of the things that go wrong on trips because it is more unusual, just like the evening news tells of all the murders but not the good deeds that happened that day.

Take normal precautions or do a search here for some advice from seasoned travelers and don't worry. I hope you haven't been scared away!

April

When I booked a trip to East Africa many years ago I worried about two things - what if I got lost, and what if I died. Then I figured if I got lost, it probably wouldn't be forever (and it might actually be fun). And if I died... well, wouldn't it be better to die doing something I'd always wanted to do rather than not? So I didn't get lost and didn't die. Funnily enough, I did get sick, which wasn't on my worry list, but I recovered and had a wonderful time regardless. If you get sick in Europe, chances are medical facilities will be closer and probably better than if you were, say, out in the Serengeti. Make out a will if you haven't, go and enjoy the trip!

Clifton

Walking like a zombie? Yes... I could try to avoid doing that. I only say "woooooo"... if someone offers to buy the next round of Guinness.

xxxx

Yes, it did really happen to someone I know. He was an old friend, with whom I had fallen out of touch, but still lived in the area. He was in his late 30's and had a massive heart attack while in Germany with his wife and some other friends and family. They opted to have him cremated in Germany and brought his ashes home.

justretired

Cole wrote, ' "2.4 million American tourists visited France alone last year - and it was a slow year" Then I wonder why there are no English captions in any of the museums or galleries? '

Well, I'm sure that France was also visited by millions from Spain, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Poland, Hungary, and more. Those captions could get pretty long.

Wouldn't it be a bit arrogant of us to expect English to be given special status? You can usually buy separate guidebooks to the major museums in various languages.

- Larry

Wednesday

Well, my parents always said you will regret the things you didn't do more than the things you do, so go for it !....but I have worked in travel and have been in situations with travelers that firmly declined insurance then call when death or disaster strikes and get angry because we can't add it after the accident...or having to tell a family member that all their costs including transporting their loved one back is up to them, they have lost thousands of dollars because they declined Insurance that could of cost them a fraction...just my experience...

TopMan

If you die on your trip then you obviously won't live to telll, OR post, about it. Life does have its rewards.

smiley525

ok adding to the other horrible stories. An acquaintance of mine was on her honeymoon and then continued on travelling with her new in-laws. Well the mother in law was taking a picture of my acquaintance and her new Father in Law by the edge of a cliff and he slipped and fell off. Could you imagine being newly married and seeing you father-in-law go off the side of a cliff! this was somewhere in South America, it happened about 4 years ago. She is a twin and I heard about it from her sister.

Infotrack

If you die while overseas, and no one is there to help you, then you are required to call this toll-free number:

1-800-DeadMeat

They will ask you several questions, so just before you die, get several things out and have them ready. You will need to PERSONALLY answer the questions, for security purposes, otherwise, terrorists could be posing as your dead body as an entry into the United States:

Your mothers maiden name (if you never had a mother, then you can use your fathers maiden name)

Passport number

Social Security number

Present location of your dead body

Location where you expired, if not the same

Have you begun the decomposition process (if so, they need to know, so they can bring additional bagging supplies)

Did you pack your own luggage, and have you been in control of your luggage the whole time you have been dead

A new will and testiment leaving Marv all your worldly possessions (be sure to get it notorized...you may need to walk around looking for one after your death. Yes, signatures after death are fully acceptable, just as they are for voter registration)

Completed Customs Declaration page, which must now include the value yourself since you are now a commodity (i.e. value of all transplantable body parts)

Enough cash to pay for Customs Duty

A phone number the State Department can use to contact your loved ones

A phone number the State Department can use to contact your hated ones

A statement that you have returned your rental car before expiring, or that you are fully responsible for it after your death.

Did you leave the hotel room sheets clean, or will they have to change them since you messed them up upon expiring

Is the weather where you are currently dead hot or cold? (this is important, since if hot, the processors will need to bring nose plugs due to your rather obscene smell)

***********

From my own recollection when I went through this process, there were many more questions, but I can no longer remember them all. Perhaps others can add to the list.

--Marv

indytravel

I briefly met a couple through mutual friends who went to Mexico while he was in remission for cancer. Unfortunately he died on the vacation.

It was a living hell for her. Mexican officials insisted they have an autopsy done that she had to pay for. Insisted that he have a funeral in Mexico that no one came to that she had to pay for.

She went to collect his possessions and his wedding ring was missing. The official at the morgue said there was no ring, there never was one. She threw a screaming hissy fit to see the autopsy photos (which she had paid for) which clearly showed his wedding ring. Magically a half hour later the ring appeared.

Yuck.

Patrick

Infotrack, thanks for taking the term "tasteless" to a whole new level.

Infotrack

Patrick,

You are most welcome!!

--Marv

ira

Hi peeky,

See http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/me...p/benefits.asp

Basic membership gives you 100k worth of evacuation insurance (not medical coverage- but just to get you home) for diving or non-diving accidents or injuries from anywhere 50 miles from your home or farther. The family membership is $44.

However, if you go to Paris it won't matter if you die, because you will have been to Paris.

lincasanova

these things DO happen.
must have good travel insurance.
also the american/canandian/ or whatever country consulate will help with arrangements.

buy the insurance and stop worrying and enjoy your trip.

Chicago_Heather

<<Author: peeky
Date: 10/13/2004, 07:33 pm
Message: I was reading the threads about hotels not changing keys, being locked in a hotel with no one at the desk at night, being dragged down the street by people grabbing my purse, one lady knocked over in Naples, another one was worried about drowning in the canals at Venice, others having their credit cards stolen right off their bodies! This is just from reading past posts here this week!>>

Sounds as if it were a question posed "tongue-in-peek" to me.

Safe travels, all.

rex

I haven't read this entie thread, so forgive me if this has already been said... but you will be excused from having to post a trip report for ths forum, if you die while traveling.

If you feel like you are on your on your last breath as you are in the middle of posting your trip report, please try to direct your head to fall on your mouse finger, clicking "post my message" and thus, ensuring that the rest of us will be able to read about the places you went.

Best wishes,

Rex

indie

I do remember a few years ago - a guy from India here on a work visa, had died in an accident - and they did not have any contact information for him. I recieved the email through the Indian Students Assn. asking if anyone knew of this guy.

Of course this thing could be an urban legend - who knows, but ever since then I make it a point to email my friends here and my family in India all details of my trip and carry their contact information with me at all times - get insurance - that's really all you can do.

peeky

Wow, I came back here and found this long thread! Thank you for the laughs and the advice. I'm still deciding where and when to go and I will keep my fears in perspective. It is just hard when it is my first time and I want to do all my own planning.