WHY YOU NEED TO THINK HARD ABOUT TRAVELING TO AFRICA - by Cheryl Carter-Shotts

Some AFAA families would like to travel to Africa to pick up their child, others want AFAA to escort their child.

AFAA suggests that families consider traveling to Africa in the future – when your child is old enough to appreciate learning about their birth country; when your child has a U.S. passport and the security of all that goes with it; when you aren't nervous about all the t's being crossed and the i's being dotted - consider going when you don't have to worry about your child not understanding what you are saying in English, when you aren't dealing with jetlag.

A few families have traveled alone; a few have traveled with AFAA. Many escorts have struggled. After two days one escort said "Get me out of here, NOW!" When I explained there were no flights back to the U.S. for several days she wanted togo to a neighboring country and leave that way. When I reminded her she had agreed to escort and two families whom she was bringing children to were covering her expenses, she volunteered to reimburse all the expenses. She was panicky. I suggested she stay in her room as long as she wanted with lots of bottled water, room service and the good book she brought along - she did.

One male, off-duty flight attendant called after returning from Ethiopia. He explained he had traveled all over Mexico, had gone to India to pick up children needing medical care and thought he was emotionally prepared for Ethiopia. He said, "Thank you for the experience but please do not ever ask me to go again." He went on to explain that he had never seen such poverty as in Ethiopia and the altitude was very difficult. (Ethiopia is 8,000 feet and up.)

The following are 20 "tips" if you do decide to travel to a Third world country:

1. Do not travel on dirt roads in a country that has ever had skirmishes or wars, regardless of how long ago. Mines can be activated years after being put in place. Mines are not in paved roads.

2. If there is any trouble in the country stay away from busy market places.

3. When the Middle East is heating up stay away from known Muslim areas, including shopping areas. If you don't know were they are, find out! You are probably Christian or Jewish, or perceived to be - you will not be welcome.

4. Be alert for soldiers with AK-47's. If the AK is on their back you can relax. If the AK is in the soldier's hands be alert. If the clip has been inserted quietly in the weapon move away; always staying alert.

5. Try not to sit in an aisle seat on a plane. Terrorists are known to give more trouble to passengers in aisle seats because they can easily reach them.

6. Make a mental note of the number of rows between your seat and the nearest exit. We hear this every time we board a plane - count and remember - it could save your life.

7. If as an American you are having trouble, tell people you are a Canadian.

8. If you are in a known hot spot - find out how far away rebels, soldiers and the action is, advise the US Embassy where you are and how to reach you, and stay alert.

9. If the situation becomes so difficult that you must be evacuated, you will be charged for your evacuation by the U.S. Department of State.

10. Do not advertize that you are an American. That means do NOT flash money, do not advertise your loyalty to America, do not wear flag pins, flag sweaters, red, white & blue scarves, etc. Not everyone in the world likes Americans. Yes, we are proud to be an American but not everyone views us as a friend, to some people American is the enemy.

11. If you are female do not go outside your hotel alone, have at least one other person with you.

12. As much as you want to do NOT feed the street children begging on the street until the last hour of your last day. Save up small bills and coins during your trip, then hand them out the last few hours you are in the country. If you give to one child 10, 20 or even more children will suddenly surround you with their hands out. The children will push and shove trying to get money from you, trying to get your purse and bags open, trying to get your attention.

13. Have small bills handy, in the foreign currency, for "tips". U.S. coins and dollar bills can be refused and thrown back at you because they are so small they cannot be exchanged for much.

14. At ALL airports mentally count your luggage and count again and count again. Count your bags while you are gathering everything together at the airport. Count them when someone is helping you. Count them, as they are loaded in a taxi. Count them when someone is helping to unload the taxi and count your bags again when they are carried to your room.

15. When traveling in a vehicle keep all doors locked, purses, laptops, briefcases on the floor and windows rolled up whenever the vehicle is coming to a stop.

16. Be extremely careful about going out after dark. Angry or hungry soldiers and rebels aren't the only problem; street thieves can be very dangerous.

17. Do not drink anything made with the water - do not drink coffee, tea, juices, do not use ice - drink nothing unless you see a bottle of water or a carbonated drink opened in front of you.

18. Do not eat anything raw; do not eat from street vendors - no salads, no fruits or vegetables with thin skin. Apples, mangoes, grapes - no; oranges and bananas - yes. Only cooked vegetables. No fish.

19. Do not make a fuss over shopping and bringing purchases back to your hotel. Do not show friendly hotel employees the things you have purchased.

20. Travel with a copy of your passport and two passport photos in case your passport is lost or stolen. Keep the copy and photos seperate from where you keep your passport.

21. Be alert at ALL times, watch what is happening around you at ALL times. Use common sense – stay alert, stay safe!