Being a good traveler, I often visit the websites of major first world nations to find out what they think of my destinations.
Since I’m leaving shortly on an extended trip, I decided to look up advice for one of my destinations from Major Nation #1:
“You should be alert to the dangers of car and street crime in cities.”
“Do not make flippant remarks about bombs or terrorism”
“Laws vary … including speed limits and the age of consent.”
Not exactly comforting, particularly the second line, since I like to make such remarks.
Major Nation #2:
“You should avoid areas affected by (the recent disaster) due to significant communication transport, and infrastructure damage.”
“When you are in (that nation), be aware that local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh… do apply to you.”
“Penalties for drug-related offences, including marijuana use, are severe and provide for minimum mandatory sentences.”
Wow… this must be a third world nation.
Major Nation #3:
“Racial tensions and poverty occasionally prompt riots; these are usually confined to the poorer districts of major cities, but the violence can spread to central commercial and hotel districts.”
“A serious violation may lead to a jail sentence or, in some (cases), a death sentence.”
“Even prescription drugs and syringes used for legitimate medical purposes come under intense scrutiny.”
So which nation am I visiting?
Well, I am visiting Portugal and the Ukraine, but as it happens, this advice concerns the United States from the British, Australian, and Canadian perspectives.
The worst thing about foreign travel to the United States is the fact that the Bill of Rights (and other legal protections) applies to citizens only. For example, a Canadian citizen can be arrested and held without charges when visiting the US, whereas the Canadian Charter of Rights & Freedoms contains clauses which apply to “all persons” (including non-citizens).
My friend Christopher’s father was permanently barred from entering the US when a border guard at a land crossing asked him if he had ever smoked marijuana in the past :(.
Adam sure knows his audience. 🙂
Jerry, wow, that’s harsh, especially if the Mary Jane was smoked in Amsterdam where there are locations it is perfectly legal. They should be worried about if you violated the law WHERE YOU DID IT. Seems harsh to punish people for legal activities in other countries. Of course, if I go to Britain and smoke a Cuban cigar and the US Government finds out they’ll fine me. To which I say WTF?!? It was LEGAL where I did it. Kind of makes me want to go to Niagara Falls, Ontario and light up one of Fidels finest.
Chris, I think the biggest problem with the Cuban ban isn’t the smoking of the cigar in Ontario, its the fact that you’re spending US dollars to get it. The laws regarding Cuba are pretty strict–if you spend US dollars in Cuba without permission you’re screwed–even if you’ve converted them to Euros. I think it would be ok to take my European earned Euros and spend them in Cuba though… interesting question….
One of the more interesting things is that Australia explicitly tells its residents that travelling abroad and exploiting children for sex, even if legal in that country, will result in prosecution back home.
What if my Canadian uncle purchased the cigar and gave it to me?
OK, I’ll stop playing Devil’s Advocate now.