Close Calls We didn’t use our travel insurance, but thank goodness we had it! After 45 years of travelling, we’ve learned that even if you’re healthy when you begin your journey, unanticipated circumstances can cause sickness and injuries requiring medical treatment. Some examples? During a fascinating Sahara tour, our group visited a Berber camp. After a roast lamb dinner, we sat on sand dunes to listen to traditional music. A sideways glance revealed a yellow scorpion with its tail and venomous stinger raised. We abruptly jumped away and stood for the rest of the performance, watching the sand as closely as the entertainers. An internet search later described the symptoms of the deathstalker scorpion’s sting – increased heart rate and blood pressure, excruciating pain, convulsions and coma requiring medical attention. Gulp. Story and photos by Barb & Ron Kroll Above – Desert scorpion raises tail with venomous stinger Left – Sitting on Sahara sand dunes, listening to Berber musicians 16 | www.snowbirds.org Travel
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MzMzNzMx