Travel takes on a different dimension
Published 6:03 am Saturday, June 18, 2005
By By EMILY DREITZLER / Niles Daily Star
NILES - Traveling to a favorite vacation getaway has always been a time to throw the concerns and worries of daily life aside and bask in the realization that relaxation is the only worry now.
When stories of summer vacations going terribly wrong come to the forefront of news, such as the recent disappearance of high school honor student Natalee Holloway in Aruba, local residents are left to wonder; should I employ extra safety precautions when traveling this summer?
"Anytime you travel outside the country, you have to take extra precautions; obviously this young lady (Natalee Holloway) forgot them. I'm just going to stay in Niles where it's safe," said Matt Molnar, a 19-year-old college student back in Niles for the summer.
Marty Oleson, a teacher at Southside school in Niles, also finds herself thinking more about safety when traveling. "I won't be going anywhere this summer but if I were traveling with a young daughter, I would say extra precautions would be taken such as not leaving the resort area," stated Oleson.
Buchanan native Rebecca Hearington, found that she already uses discretion when traveling. "As a woman, I've always exercised caution. I use caution not only when I'm traveling but in everyday life as well so it won't change my behavior, but will serve as a reminder to all of us to be more careful."
Marilyn Maurer, of Niles, finds that knowledge and good judgement are the most important assets for travelers. "I know as a mother how I feel and I wouldn't let my own child go to Cancun this past spring because of the prevelant use of drugs there. You just can't trust young girls' judgement and what they might encounter when traveling in foreign countries. We always take precautions when we travel outside the country."
Valerie Tanke, a citizen of Niles, doesn't feel the need to take extra safety measures when traveling. "I probably won't (take extra safety precautions when traveling). I travel a lot by myself and I already am careful about what hotel floor I stay on and other safety concerns."
Cassopolis resident, Amanda Vins, shares in Tanke's sentiments.