Be Safe When Traveling

By Bradley Rehak - Guest Blogger traveling in Ecuador

I had planned on talking a bit more about Quito and my host family, describing life here, etc, but recent events have demanded that I write about a somewhat more sobering topic: the dangers of traveling.

A group of students and I had planned on climbing Cotopaxi, the second tallest active volcano in the world, this weekend. In preparation, we tried on mountaineering boots, crampons and the whole bit a couple of days ago, and then decided to do an easier hike yesterday for acclimatization to the high altitude. For this we went to Guagua Pichincha, which is the closest volcano to Quito.

We rode the Teleferiqo, which is basically a big ski lift, most of the way up the mountain, as almost all of the locals and tourists do (there are restaurants, a club, etc at the top of the ride). Then we started hiking up to the top, which is around 4,100 meters. I, however, being the least acclimatized and the most wary of climbing Cotopaxi, decided to stop about two-thirds of the way up. I rested a bit and then came down and went home. Being the traveler that I am, I was rather wary of the time, as it was getting late in the afternoon and there were very few other people high on the mountain—but I decided the other five would be safe together.

Which was stupid. They all continued to the top—another hour hike—and then separated on the way back down. Whereupon a guy and a girl were accosted by a rock-throwing local, who then showed them a machete and ordered them off the path. He led them for hours through the forest and down the mountain, robbed them of everything they had, them set them loose many kilometers from the city without shoes or money late at night. They then had to cross through a very dangerous neighborhood to return to the school.

They are lucky, of course, to be alive—and free. They certainly could've been killed or held for ransom. They are currently recovering from the bruises they received falling down in the woods (because they were bound) and from fighting with the abductor.

I relate this story not to dissuade people from traveling, but to approach a crucial point: we are still travelers from wealthy countries. We may feel great about learning about other cultures and living among indigenous peoples, however the bad elements among them don't care a bit about our ideals or where we come from, except inasmuch as they can obtain money from us. And in many countries around the world, just having light skin or different clothing makes us easy targets.

Which is to say: travel. In groups, during the day, and with sobriety as much as possible, to reduce your risk of encountering such problems.