It’s almost time for me to start planning my summer holiday and every trip I debate whether or not I want help … from a travel agency and almost for every trip I research my destinations myself with a little help from Frommer’s and Expedia, and depending on the place, the United States Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs. The Bureau is an excellent source for information and a place for US citizens to “register” when traveling abroad.
Now, I am the suspicious type and do not necessarily like volunteering information about myself to the government, but if I am traveling to a potential trouble spot or unstable country. I want my country to know and I want the closest US Embassy or Consular Office to know and come rescue me if I do something unintentionally stupid or illegal like taking pictures of a protest or indigenous children. Perhaps, I am a paranoid US citizen or maybe I should not travel to places where this is a concern, but I actually register even when traveling to western Europe too.
Along with the Department of State knowing where I am, they provide a tremendous amount of information about the country including macro cultural beliefs, values, and behaviors, as well as cautions about doing things legal in the US, but illegal or disrespectful in the hosting country. Remember, we are the visitors and if everyone was the same, why travel.
So unless, I write later that the Department of State is questioning me about my international travel, I will continue to register. It’s not like they couldn’t find out this information anyway. At least, I know that the Department of State has this information … I think.
