Interpreting the Balkans
Sunday, April 2, 2006
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Interpreting the BalkansDAVID FARLEY'S article on Montenegro ["Coming Soon: The Next Small Thing?," March 26] crosses the line between travel writing and political news. It also misleads with respect to Montenegro's varied tourism attractions.
Farley spent a week in Montenegro, which should have been sufficient time to explore widely the tourism delights of this small republic and to assess the politics of independence and the significance of organized crime in a way that is relevant to tourism (if at all, and if so why?). But no.
Polls show that a majority of expected voters in Montenegro's independence referendum favor independence. But what has that got to do with tourism by Americans? Likewise, the gratuitous observations on the Mafia make no point for visitors.
James Osborn, Podgorica, Montenegro
Author David Farley responds:
My story did indeed point out some unfortunate aspects of the political situation in Montenegro. Travel writers are not obligated to stick to "sunny" subjects; we do want to tell readers about where to go and why, but we also have a responsibility to alert them to other issues going on in the destination, and to give them a deeper understanding that transcends trends. I appreciate your concern for Montenegro. It's a beautiful country filled with warm people and I look forward to returning soon.
Lost LuggageI TOO WAS surprised that the airlines are unable to track lost bags [Coming and Going, March 26].
Last month I flew American from Reagan National to La Romana, Domincan Republic, changing planes in Miami. We sat on the tarmac in Miami due to American having another plane at our gate. By the time we were able to deplane we had less than 15 minutes before our connecting flight was scheduled to depart. Every employee we encountered said no problem, our bags would make it on the connecting flight.
We landed in La Romana without bags. The local office was unable to tell us if the bags were in D.C., Miami or heading somewhere else. Didn't find out until 5 p.m. the next day that the luggage was scheduled to be delivered that evening.
I contacted American upon my return and received a letter apologizing. A week later I received a $50 travel voucher in the mail. The kicker: When I went to redeem it, I was informed that there was a $10 service fee to use the voucher!
Jeffrey M. Nelson, Columbia
HAVING SEEN my luggage lost for three days by Qantas en route to New Zealand via L.A., leaving me without proper clothes to present to a conference and attend a formal dinner, I would suggest FedExing your luggage or using a similar courier service -- picked up from home, delivered directly to your destination and not overly expensive.
Pat Younge, Silver Spring
General Manager, Travel Channel
Switching E-Z PassesJUST READ your article about the E-Z Pass [Coming and Going, March 19]. I have friends in New York who have received tickets in the mail for using someone else's E-Z Pass, so it is illegal to do this, according to E-Z Pass.
Nonetheless, here is my solution: I do not own a car but frequently rent one to drive up to New York City and Pennsylvania. Several years ago I registered an E-Z Pass with my girlfriend's car information. Everytime I rented a vehicle, I would log into E-Z Pass from home or work and change the vehicle information on my account to match my rental vehicle.
Steve Colón, Arlington
Editor's note: In fact, at least some states will allow E-Z Pass holders to temporarily add a rental car. Check the rules in the state where your E-Z Pass is issued.
Seat Un-AssignmentsI WAS inspired by your item on the meaninglessness of seat assignments to finally sit down to vent [Coming and Going, March 26].
I took my children, ages 8 and 11, to Australia in November. I booked Qantas, paying extra to talk to a human versus booking on-line. The agent booked us on American for the leg from Dulles to L.A . I specifically asked the Qantas rep to be sure the three of us were booked to sit together. But American put us each in center seats of three different rows. No one was willing to take a center seat, so we couldn't trade. They told me to check on the return booking when we checked in at L.A., but seats together were again not available. Qantas said that even though it made the booking it had no control or responsibility for American.
On a high note, the actual Qantas flights were great and we all sat together. However, parents be forewarned: If an airline handles your booking through a partner airline, call the week before to ensure you sit with your children. And I am amazed at the passengers so unwilling to sit in a center seat that they wouldn't trade to help out an 8-year-old child. I hope their next hotel rooms are all overrun with starving bedbugs.
Donna Burge, Warrenton
CanyoneeringTHANK YOU for the article on canyoneering ["The Canyoneer, March 19]. My husband and I have visited the Page, Ariz., area three times in five years. We have fallen in love with the place.
We have many pictures from Antelope Canyon, and for all those wondering, all your pictures will look like the front-page photo. No skill is necessary to get those images.
Lake Powell, right outside of Page, is an amazing place. Think of the Grand Canyon filled with water. You can go camping or stay at the Waheap Lodge. In addition, Monument Valley is a short drive away. Think old John Wayne films.
My husband and I love traveling out to that area, and every trip, we always find something new to do.
Cathy Paparizos, Kensington
AS A NATIVE of southern Colorado who is well acquainted with many of the canyons that Gary Anthes photographed, I was horrified that you ran his article without a front-page box warning of the dangers of canyon travel. It was not until the end of the story that he mentioned that he had even bothered to consult a ranger and get local information.
As for the foray at the end of the River Walk in Zion, I should think that the rather sternly worded warning on the sign should have been noted -- this is not for the inexperienced hiker. Also, nowhere does he acknowledge that many of these canyons are almost a mile above sea level, and damn fool Easterners who do not acclimate themselves to the altitude are in deep trouble the minute they start hiking.
Gretchen Robertson, Arlington
Trip InsuranceA RECENT ITEM about trip insurance [Coming and Going, March 12] quoted an insurance expert saying that "most travel insurance policies won't cover you just because you don't want to go." You then mentioned "at least one insurer" that will sell "cancel for any reason" policies.
Your readers should know that M.H. Ross Travel Insurance Services recently introduced Global Alert Enhanced, which offers more inclusive coverage to travelers and allows vacationers to cancel their vacation for any reason, up to 48 hours prior to departure, and to receive a 75 percent refund of their trip cost. M.H. Ross Travel Insurance Services has specialized in providing travel insurance programs for the last 45 years. Our company has maintained offices in Tysons Corner since 2000.
Paul S. Salamone
Vice President, Sales and Marketing
M.H. Ross Co.
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