38 — Sunday, October 28, 1990 - North Shore News TRAVEL Be prepared Rock slides prove that you can never be too careful A FEW weeks ago, I dragged out all my hints and warn- ings about winter driving and the need to be prepared for emergencies. I wonder how many readers took it seriously? Perhaps the recent rockslide at Lions Bay might better il- lustrate how quickly and unexpectedly a highway disaster can occur. The fortunate part of this disaster is that the highway was closed quickly, before the major slide and the road crews aren’t having to dig out pancaked cars. Also, again fortunately, motorists were stranded in either Squamish or Vancouver — and not on the road. It was an expen- sive nuisance but not life threaten- ing. One of our daughters was stranded in Squamish and was scheduled for surgery Monday morning at LGH. She spent an additional night with friends in Squamish, got up at 5 a.m. and by 6 a.m. caught a water taxi ($75) home. Her car is in her friend’s back yard, probably safe from the looting we heard was happening to some abandoned vehicles. As for those marooned in Whistler, Vil bet they’re having the time of their lives, at least as long as the beer holds out. This brings up another point that travellers should bear in mind: If you are taking regular medication, always travel with more than you think you'll need. Sure, there are usually drugstores in most resorts but how often do you get lucky enough to get stranded in luxury? I recall a slide at Mount Baker a few years ago and things weren’t quite so cozy. Aliso, if your prescription leans toward the exotic, it may be in limited supply. If it's a_ strictly controlled substance you might not be able to convince a druggist that it’s safe to give it to you. Imagine the potential for disaster should you be marooned in some little backwater where no one speaks English. Don’t think it can’t happen to you — if it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone. I was trapped on a grounded liner for four days just off the coast of Brazil — Rio Grande do Sul to be exact. The situation wasn’t dangerous except that the electrical system packed in — no refrigeration, no water, no air conditioning (mid- summer in Brazil gets a bit warm) and limited medications available. Looking back, it was a glorious adventure. eee Also on the subject of medica- tions, never pack them in baggage to be checked but only in hand bags. If you are leaving the country, be sure to have the generic name of the drug copied in several places — one with your travelling companion. Purses get snatched and hand baggage gets lost. If you are going somewhere ex- otic, get your medical condition described and translated into the language of the country. If you're Barbara McCreadie TRAVELWISE suffering from something really wicked, perhaps you should stick to the tourist trail. eee A reader calied me with a very interesting hint for travellers. Two relatives of hers were traveliing from Australia on one of those round-the-world airline packages. All went well until they got to Rome. There, they were sur- rounded by a band of street ur- chins and he was relieved of his money belt, containing all their credit cards. (Being Australian, you know who grips the finances.) He carried a variety of cards, always a good idea on an extend- ed vacation. The cards were ail promptly cancelled but the only company which would replace a stolen card was American Express. All the others refused to replace the cards anywhere but to their home address in Australia. American Express got them a replacement with 24 hours, delivered to their next stop — Venice. I've always depended on my Visa card but after hearing this, I'm very glad that Brian is an AmEx fan. As a follow-up to the previous item, on Visa alone, over $3,000 was charged to the stolen card. That shows the urgency of Promptly advising the company of theft. When the airlines began in- stituting non-smoking policies { mentioned, right here in print, that determined smokers would switch to carriers that permitted smoking. Several airline executives in- dicated to me that my brains were scrambled by nicotine. Now, doesn't it seem a bit odd that both Air Canada and Canadian Airlines are announcing cutbacks while British Airways’ (smoking sections still intact) year end figures to March 21, 1990, have carried 40 per cent more Canadians to Bri- tain over the previous year? I've been cautioned not to at- tribute that increase to dedicated smokers but I'll bet there’s some bearing. Another interesting comment came from a friend (a smoker) who used to book non-stop flights wherever he went. Now, he’s looking for milk runs — Moose Jaw? so he can vault off the plane for a quick smoke before the flight carries on, The recent Herman cartoon said it well: **Do you seriously expect me to hurtle through the air at 30,000 feet and not smoke?”’ FREE 30 DAY TRIAL GUARANTEE YOU WILL WALK WITH GREATER FREEDOM & INDEPENDENCE OR YOUR MONEY BACK. Recommended by Doctors SUSANSCOTT ar Is pleased to announce the opening of her Therapeutic Massage practice at the Delbrook Naturopathic Medical Centre #116-3711 Delbrook Ave., North Vancouver, B.C. Phone (604) 986-9191 IN THE MALL | Wed., Oct. 3ist 3:30-5:30 REGISTER AT THE WATERFALL AFTER 3:30 1. Get a free trick or treat bag 2. Trick or treat at our participating retailers 3. Enter to win best costume prizes a HELP WHEN YOU NEED IT! M edic Aid Response Systems will take over the moment an emergency occurs. At the push of a button, Medic Aid Resporise Systems will do all the taiking for you. In a maiter of seconds, our 24-hour monitoring station will contact proper authorities relay- ing vital information such as name, address, medical history, doctor’s name, etc. Enjoy the peace of mind knowing we'll be there 24 hours a day. A perfect opportunity for the little ones to trick or treat in a safe, dry environment. CAPILANOMALL Over 100 Retail Storos & Services * Play Care Availabie Free Parking EDIC AID Response Systems. Always on call. Call now to find out more. 4 MedicAid- , North Shore | 988-1741 § _”. SHOPPING HOURS: Monday to Wednesday 9:30am-5:30pm, Thursday-Friday 9:30am-9:00pm “ses Saturday 9:30am-5.30pm, Sunday Noon-5:00pm 935 Marine Drive *, 980-8561... NA er tre on