Tony At 10: DANGEROUS TRAVEL: BLOG # 2178; FRI MAR. 08, 2019

THE MESSAGE:

What is it about the human condition that causes some people to undertake voyages that put themselves and their families in 'clear and present danger’? It is understandable that when presented with civil war and destruction in their homeland, people are forced to become refugees and abandon their homes. Something that I find difficult to grasp is the fact that civil wars are not the only reason that people want out. When faced with tyrannical power and government, or imprisonment, or violent and murderous gangs, or abject poverty and starvation, or selfish and greedy economic conditions, or natural disasters in the homeland, people are forced to vacate the environment. Unfortunately not all of the victims are able to find their way out.

But there exists other reasons that people put themselves in dangerous situations in order to satisfy the urge to be freer or more daring or overachieving. The spirit of adventure is apparently an overwhelming motivator.

Religious or familial constraints are other reasons why some victims are inspired to ‘get out’. Some, who are caught halfway between danger and opportunity, choose to get out and seek a better if not safer existence.

THE BLURB:

This Blurb presents a few examples of ‘escape'

THE USA

Some disturbing data reveals that vulnerable populations are embarking on the dangerous journey north in record numbers putting themselves and minors in harm’s way. In one month 22,000 minors illegally crossed the US borders. Approximately 5,000 cross the border without a parent or guardian as Unaccompanied Alien Children. To date nearly 60,000 crossed as unaccompanied minors or family units.

REFUGEES AND THE MEDITERRANEAN

There has been a sharp rise in the number people dying while trying to cross the Mediterranean to reach Europe, the UN refugee agency has said in its latest report.

Fewer people are attempting the journey to Europe but the rate of deaths has risen sharply. In the central Mediterranean, one in 18 people died or went missing in 2018, compared to one death for every 42 people crossing in 2017.

Data from 2018 shows that along the sea route from North Africa to Spain, more than 300 people have perished this year. This is compared to 2017 when 200 deaths were recorded.

In Italy, the populist government has shut the country’s ports to all humanitarian boats, calling them a “taxi service” for illegal immigrants. The Interior Minister called for other EU nations to follow its lead and block migrant rescue ships from landing on European shores.

THE ADVENTURERS

JUST TO MENTION A FEW

ROALD AMUNDSEN

In 1926, he was the first leader for the air expedition to the North Pole, making him the undisputed first person to reach both poles. He is also known for leading the first expedition to cross the Northwest Passage (1903–06) in the Arctic. In June 1928, Amundsen disappeared as a passenger on an Italian airship rescue mission.

AMELIA EARHART

During an attempt to make a flight around the globe in 1937, Earhart and navigator Fred Noonan disappeared over the central Pacific Ocean. A fascination with her life, career, and disappearance continues to this day.

TERRY FOX

Terry Fox was a Canadian athlete, humanitarian, and cancer research activist. In 1980, with one leg having been amputated due to cancer, he embarked on an east to west cross-Canada run to raise money and awareness for cancer research. Although the spread of his cancer eventually forced him to end his quest after 143 days and 5,373 kilometres (3,339 mi), and ultimately cost him his life, his efforts resulted in a lasting, worldwide legacy.

SALLY RIDE

Sally was born in Los Angeles and was an American astronaut, physicist, and engineer. She joined NASA in 1978 and became the first American woman in space in 1983. Ride remains the youngest American astronaut to have traveled to space, having done so at the age of 32. She served on the committees that investigated the Challenger and Columbia space shuttle disasters. Ride died of pancreatic cancer on July 23, 2012.

KATE HARRIS

As a child growing up in southern Ontario, Kate Harris dreamed of being an astronaut. She has since gone exploring on all seven continents, including a summer-long bike tour across the United States and a research stint in Antarctica. As a Rhodes Scholar at England’s Oxford University, she trekked in India’s beautiful yet politically unstable Kashmir Mountains to study the effects of geopolitical borders on wilderness conservation.

In 2011, Harris biked the entire Silk Road, which stretches 10,000 kilometres from Turkey to northern India. The trip consolidated Harris' hatred of borders for the way they divide people and cultures.

But for Harris, it all contributed to an excellent adventure. “I love the challenge of setting out to do something you’re not certain you can achieve,” she says. “Adventure begins when uncertainty begins.” “I discovered that you don’t need to go to another planet to feel the feeling of exploration,” says Harris, 29, who now lives in Vancouver. “You just need wild places.”

ABBY SUNDERLAND

A Californian solo sailor was presented with a disturbing flashback when she heard the news that her abandoned yacht had been found off the Australian coast. South Australia Police confirmed that a barnacle-encrusted, over turned 40-foot hull was Sunderland's sloop 'Wild Eyes'.

Sunderland, a 16 year old adventurer, was attempting to become the youngest person ever to sail around the world alone and unassisted. Her yacht capsized in stormy seas between Africa and Australia on June 10, 2010. She was rescued two days later by a French trawler 2,000 miles west of Australia.

THE QUESTION:

Is the spirit of adventure over rated or is it understated?

THE LEMON:

This is awarded jointly to the father and son.

Kareem Hunt was a football star with the 2018 Kansas City Chiefs. His career in the NFL is in jeopardy. So is his reputation. His father and other family members are known for their extensive criminal records. The investigation by the NFL into Kareem Jr's abusive actions continues today.