Backpacker escapes captors in Colombia - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**travelpunk** · 09-28-2003, 02:54 AM

Be very careful folks in places that have a history of people being taken hostage by guerilla/rebel forces.

From the article-

"Matthew Scott,19, was one of eight backpackers taken hostage on September 12 near an ancient archaeological ruin known as the Lost City.
The group, which also included another Briton, four Israelis, a German and Spaniard, read more-

Full story here.

**worldwidemike** · 09-29-2003, 09:18 AM

Good advice, TP.

Which brings up an interesting topic: How dangerous is too dangerous for a travel destination?

I admit lots of friends and family shake their heads when they hear I'm going to Cambodia or some place they feel is "shaky." But I explain I'm fairly well read on current affairs, I do my research, and I feel I would never go anywhere that is too dicey. But everyone has their own idea of "crossing that line," I'm sure.

I do have my Don't Go list, which fluctuates based on current events. Currently, some countries that are on it include:
Colombia (kidnappings, kidnappings and a drug war crossfire)
Iraq, N. Korea, Afghanistan (duh)
Iran (getting closer to opening up, though)
Phillippines (sorry, PhilBill, but with a terrorist organization actively seeking out tourists to kidnap, your lovely country is off my limits, for now...)
Ivory Coast, Liberia, Algeria, etc. (active insurgencies)

There may be others, but I'd have to read up on them more. Of course, there are surprising places I WOULD go, despite the list above. These include places like Syria, Libya, Bali and Ghana.

What about the rest of you? Do you have a Don't Go list, or have a criteria for deciding when a country is too dangerous for you? I hope this thread doesn't venture into the "too policial" realm...

worldwidemike

**Canadian Dude** · 12-01-2003, 05:56 PM

Its funny, I am not nervious to go to Jordan or Lebannon or Syria, but I was too nervious to go to Central Mexico last year...I was not scared for me, but for my new family, I never had to think about anyone else before? Now I have a wife that I must consider when I am picking where I am going to go next.

**travelpunk** · 02-01-2004, 08:07 PM

True, family first

Update on the hostages. They've all been released right before Christmas

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