An important message about the potential perils of travel and the importance of community in times of extreme difficulty.
Injury or incapacitation abroad is something us well-heeled travellers often forget to consider. Or perhaps it’s just something we refuse to consider. It doesn’t fit the narrative, after all. The joy and exhilaration involved in travel. The breathtaking discovery and lazy insouciance. No sir, it doesn’t fit at all. Because health and safety in foreign territory is often something the seasoned traveller doesn’t think about. Falling seriously ill or falling prey to danger is not something that happens to us; we bask in the comforting glow of invincibility. We know the road and to us the road belongs. We circumnavigate the globe fearlessly and with ease. Simple as that. Or at least that’s what we think.
I woke up the other morning to terrible news. It struck me in the face like a clap of thunder, then weighed like an anvil on my chest. There was an accident. A bad accident. A group of Americans travelling in Panama were involved in a serious crash. Two beautiful souls were snuffed out without rhyme nor reason, and around a dozen more were injured, some critically. The sick feeling of helplessness enveloped me, terror curled in my throat, my eyes welled up with tears. Oh no. Oh no.
I read about tragedies every day, we all do. The homepages of the BBC, NYT, and CNN are rife with misfortune and chaos. We have become benign to calamity, desensitized to devastation. We casually cast off stories of catastrophe like a sock in disrepair — “Oh, 6 people died in a suicide bombing in Istanbul today. Darn, my sock has a hole in it” — a millisecond of remorse before carrying on with the rest of our day. But this bad news stalked me like a sniper. Because it hit home. Because it could have been me.
Why? Those involved in the accident are members of Nomadness Tribe, a group I myself am a part of and have come to treasure. I’ve written about Nomadness before; we are sisters and brothers in travel, an online community of devotees intent on seeing the world and ensuring other people of colour have the chance to see it, too. We post pictures, compare itineraries, and trade travel stories. The forum provides an arena to give/take advice, share dreams, seek reassurance, and vent frustrations (usually about lack of annual leave). I have met up with Tribe members all over the world; it would seem that we fill every corner of the earth. So while I didn’t know those involved in the accident personally, I knew of most of them and by default considered them my friends.
Given this, the gravity and enormity of what happened in Panama sent shock waves through our circle. Because while many of us would say that we live for travel, not many of us could truly fathom dying because of it.
Perhaps this is out of line but there was at least one positive thing that came out of this. A rose that grew from the concrete, if you will. The unfailing support from Nomadness members was unreal. Prayers were sent up. Our group banded together in the face of tragedy and extreme uncertainty, virtual arms linked across the world like soccer players setting up a defensive wall. When it became apparent the medical bills for the fallen would spiral far beyond the assistance any insurance would provide, the Tribe sprang into action, raising $30,000 USD within 24 hours. Trained therapists in the group offered PTSD counselling to those in need, Spanish speakers provided emergency translation over the phone, and lurkers in the group made their voices heard for the first time. Other members posted tributes, planned virtual vigils, and met up in real-life in an effort to assuage the pain and confusion. We had much needed discussions about emergency contacts and travel insurance and the importance of telling people you love them before it’s too late. The Tribe may have started as an internet group, but this event was proof positive that it had evolved into a family.
Injury or incapacitation abroad is something us well-heeled travellers often forget to consider. Or perhaps it’s just something we refuse to consider. Realistically, it’s something we don’t want to think about; it’s the traveller’s worst nightmare. But as much as we want to close our eyes to such an eventuality, it’s always there in the shadows. Rather than live in fear, the best thing to do is be prepared when you travel. Make sure you sign up for travel insurance. Scribble down that emergency contact and put it in a place it can be found if needed. Don’t forget to inform your family and friends of your wheareabouts and never forget to tell them how much you love them before you go. Go with your gut– if something doesn’t feel right on your trip, don’t do it.
Live every day as if it were your last.
A number of those involved in the accident still require extensive and expensive medical care. If you would like to donate even just a few dollars to the injured and their families, please send donations via Paypal to nomadnessx@gmail.com with the annotation “Panama Support”.
96 Comments
I was very sorry to hear about this tragedy. It just goes to show you how fragile life is. I heard about the tribe only recently, but l will do my part to help. Condolences to you and the Nomadness Tribe.
Thank you for the support, Kemkem.
Oh, I’m so sorry to hear about this and I’m sorry you are hurting. This is horrible news, and a reminder for those pragmatic details… insurance and emergency contact details. Sending hugs.
Thank you, Colleen.
This hurts my heart, I can’t even imagine what the Tribe is going through. My condolences.
Thank you. 🙁
I’m like a Tibetan Monk, who are considered to be amongst the wisest people on earth. And they never go anywhere.
May God bless the families of the Tribe members and a speedy recovery and safe voyage back home to the survivors.
This is very sad. Sorry this has happened.
I am glad that you brought up the importance of travel insurance, it’s something I have never thought about.
I’m glad I was able to help you remember!
As part of Nomadness I too was devastated by this news. Incredibly sad and praying for all those involved and their families. I have donated and I am so proud of what you said in your post-the coming together of a travel family in this crisis was remarkable. And yes-be prepared and have travel insurance and emergency contacts listed in your travel plans and in your phone. Thanks for writing this!
Thank you for reading! It is so great how our group of travellers has banded together! Strength in numbers!
I felt very sad and scared to hear of this tragedy..of course I always wonder when setting out about illness in a foreign land, or buses crashing or planes falling out of the sky or vanishing..more so with the recent reports….while I pray that none of these things will happen, despite being a travel addict, travel does terrify me…
I pray for a speedy recovery for those injured, and most definitely we should take precautions, and listen to our gut as we traverse the globe..I will try to give something in a couple of days…thank you for this post Oneika..
Thank you so much for donating Caroline, it means a lot! I agree that I always have a thought while on a trip that it could be my last…
This is my first time reading this. As one of those involved in the accident, I was truly moved by this blog. I will say that I would never want to be involved in any tragedy, but I’m happy that I was with Nomadness when this happened. The amount of resources and support I received was unparalleled. As the only passport holder in my immediate family, I’m sure it would’ve been much more stressful without the Tribe. I awoke from surgery and saw Evita’s face and I knew I was ok. I will be forever grateful. Thank you to everyone.
Thanks for sharing this. This hit home for me as well. On a recent trip to Sri Lanka last month, my wife had a biking accident in a remote rural village up in the hills of Nuwara Eliya. Fortunately all she sustained was cuts and bruises. It could have been much worse. That was when it hit me..adventure sometimes comes at a price. Hopefully not the highest price of them all. All the points you’ve raised above are so true. We will be better prepared next time…and also if our gut says no, we won’t do it.
Wow, sorry to hear about your wife– I hope she made a speedy recovery!
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