Much is written in travel blogs and in longer form commentary about responsible travel, for example, about avoiding air planes, choosing eco-friendly lodging, and eating locally sourced food. About avoiding tourism in nations with poor records on human rights.
It’s a tricky business, and hypocrisy comes easily because what matters to one person may not matter to the next. What’s a big deal to one conscience may be trivial to another.
From time to time we read of corporations which announce that they will not do business in this nation or that. Sometimes sports organizations announce they will not conduct championships or all-star contests in this state or that because its legislature has adopted a law with which the organization takes issue. Every bold pronouncement brings a chorus of criticism of selective morality.
All of this was on my mind as I planned — and then cancelled plans — for a road trip my wife and I have talked about for years: a slow drive down the Mississippi River, seeing the sights, sampling the culture and reviewing the historical events of Middle America’s long, broad river basin. Reading Mark Twain, I suppose.
But then a mean reality became apparent: some of the states along this mighty river have made meager efforts to protect their citizens from COVID. They have some of the nation’s lowest vaccination rates and fastest growing rates of COVID cases.
So, it’s for our safety — and not to make any political statement — that we will fly over the middle of America to a see our family. That’s right, fly.
And of all places, we will land in Texas. Texas! A state with as many flaws as it has flautas.
As I said, responsible travel is a thorny proposition.
JER, July 2021
ALL OVER THE MAP 