Firstly, yet another word about overseas disasters. We worry, both you and I, about coming down with diarrhea, malaria, typhoid fever or hepatitis while or after we are away. With personal protective measures (common sense), vaccines and some pills, these don’t tend to happen too much. When I hear about the poor bungee jumper in Zimbabwe whose bungee cord snapped over Victoria Falls, I recalled my adventure on the Ottawa River seventeen years ago with my daughter Carrie. Carrie, who was a petite fourteen years of age at the time, got whacked by one of the big guys who acidentally fell on her in our raft. She broke her humerus, though it wasn’t that humerous, and required surgery on her return to Toronto. When we went to Uganda a decade later, white water rafting near Jinja was out of the question. In fact, I usually discourage life-threatening activities in lesser-developed countries for my travellers. I would prefer they eat street meat on the road and then take some Cipro!
But then a luxury cruise ship runs aground near Italy. Several people were killed and many were injured. They are still searching for survivors. So who am I to say what constitutes risky behaviour when travelling. I will leave that up to each individual traveller to decide.
Now for the shameless promotion …. a new website, SpringTern, where young and not so young skilled people can earn much needed experience even before they have a fulltime job, which isn’t so easy to find these days. By providing their skills, they gain experience, they might add something to their resume, and they might ingratiate themselves with a company that can use them on a regular basis. For the company on the receiving end, most likely a smaller one or a non-profit, they gain the benefit of some pro bono work, hopefully well done, and likewise, the chance to rub shoulders with enthusiastic and talented wannabee members of the work force. 
My son Benjamin is the co-founder of SpringTern. He spent a year volunteering in Ghana several years ago, where he honed his humanitarian skills. After graduating from the Ivey School of Business and being in the workforce, he has also honed his business skills. SpringTern provides him with the opportunity to mix both worlds. If you are an individual looking to get some experience, or a company looking for some inexpensive expertise, give SpringTern a look!