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| Surf's Up! What is the difference between packing for a short trip to a tourist destination and packing for travel that lasts a lifetime? Packing and unpacking is a powerful metaphor that stands out in preparing for intercultural experiences. What do you pack when you are going just "out of town"? What do you pack if you are staying for a long time? What do you pack if you are not coming back? Read ". . . Zzip," a short personal narrative that re-defines the politics of packing (http://future.state.gov/future/where/stories/transition/zip.html). In one instance, the author writes, "I'm cramming souvenirs and pictures into my bag in an effort to pack my identity." Reflect on this narrative. Compare it to your own story or sense of travel. Surf's Up! Today's traveler has a lot more to think about when deciding to travel for business or pleasure. Safety is becoming a major concern for anyone planning a trip overseas. Check out the U.S. State Department website, which publishes detailed safety protocols and tip sheets designed to assist travelers in facing issues of security abroad (http://travel.state.gov/asafetripabroad.html). The site also includes links to safety advisories for specific countries. It might be interesting to look at the link "Tips for Travelers to the Middle East and North Africa." In thinking of the social and political contexts of tourism, how might you compare these tips to, for example, tips for avoiding buying phony souvenirs? What do these bits of information tell us about the importance of intercultural communication in today's world? |