DM going on holiday to Haiti... AIBU to think she has a death wish?

[Cantwejustsaywhatwemean]

Apparently there are Air bnbs there... Oh well that makes it ok then! She was supposed to be booking a much needed break to see my DB in the USA but has announced she also plans to go to Haiti for a few days with a similar aged friend (70+). She's not an intrepid traveller and has a habit of 'adopting' people she thinks need her help then taking ages to extricate herself from situations that end up making her feel I'll. she's not in great health but loves to be a bit different and crazy. I am pretty sure Haiti is the most dangerous country on earth. AIBU to worry? NC'd obviously although I think even this title may out me... Anyone else been on holiday to Haiti or have a 70+ year old relative who has?

[polythenespam]

forget the Haiti bit - if she's going to the USA she needs travel insurance, especially at her age. would be absolute madness to travel without it. people have had to sell their homes to fund repatriation.

[MrsTerryPratchett]

No insurance is an extremely bad idea. I got dengue in Thailand and goodness knows what would have happened without decent insurance. That goes triple for the States.

[UncleT]

+1 for insurance, regardless of destination. It's essential, no ifs or buts.

[whois]

Your mum is a bit if an idiot to travel to the IMUS without travel insurance, and I would say also quite foolish to go to H given what the FO currently have as their guidance!

[UncleT]

Not suggesting she's stupid or anything (possibly crazy), but are we SURE she really does mean Haiti??

It just seems so odd if you don't have a connection or a reason to go there. If she really does mean Haiti, and she really wants to go independently AND without insurance, well - quite simply, she's doing it all wrong and risks tragedy. She needs serious warning off, but if she won't listen to you, keep it factual and present plenty of independent advice from a range of sources (all 'western' countries publish travel advice as a rule).

[BlingBang]

Why Haiti - what a strange choice, especially from someone who isn't an 'intrepid' traveller.

People who travel without insurance make me really angry - very selfish.

[MrsCakesPremonition]

She is going to the USA without insurance?

Madness.

(Chooses to ignore the insanity of travelling to Haiti without any kind of cover too).

[DoubleLifeIsALifeOfSorts]

She might end up eaten?!?!?!

Errr, not really high up on the list of ways things may go horribly wrong. If OP said this then I'm afraid DM would have another reason not to listen to her. I guess twas in jest?

[SaggyOldClothCatPuss]

Could you get her declared insane? (joke)
I would put together a dossier of all the travel warnings and news reports and give it to her. Also do extensive research into medical costs in the USA. DM went to visit her MIL about 10 years ago. Her MIL was taken ill and needed an ambulance. That alone was about $200 without any treatment costs. She would be totally irresponsible to travel without insurance.

[NigellasDealer]

haiti? is she completely bonkers? you must tell her not to, it will not be safe at all.

[JamNan]

Do you think your DM means Tahiti?

[dontcallmemam]

I hope she's taken health advice? There are several health risks.
I hope it's Tahiti or Hawaii.

[Cantwejustsaywhatwemean]

No, not Tahiti sigh. Feel like I'd quite like to go to Tahiti right now. She is an adult, she can make her own decisions I suppose. But she seems to get these 'enthusiasms ' for things that she doesn't like at all in the end. Most of the time it's relatively harmless. But it is her life, all I can do is make her aware of the risks and leave her to it I guess. It's not actually my problem...

[Cantwejustsaywhatwemean]

I think it's her version of wearing purple or whatever that poem is.

[BlingBang]

I've travelled a lot, I know adventurous folk who have travelled a hell of a lot - I know no-one who has been the Haiti except James Bond.

[Cantwejustsaywhatwemean]

Fwiw not too worried about the prospect of her getting eaten or being a victim of voodoo magic. More along the lines of flashing her camera/phone about, following some random stranger into their house, getting sick and not being able to get help. She's the kind of person who tells shop assistants her PIN numbers etc. I feel like this is more the kind of thing parents of teenagers ask about Gap years. How did it come to this?

[Electryone]

I can see why you are worried. What does she want to go for?

[chemenger]

Really must emphasise the madness of a visit to the US without insurance. My dh broke a bone in the US 15 years ago - the ambulance (2 miles) cost $500, painkillers were $15 per tablet, x-ray was $100's etc. Half a day in A&E came to about $5000 in all I think, all paid by insurance. Could you buy insurance for her?

My dd went on a field trip to Honduras, not a million miles from Haiti but with better governance. Pizza restaurants had armed guards on the doors in the town they stayed in. They travelled in a convoy with guards and stayed in a gated complex with armed guards on the gates.

[MrsSquirrel]

Flashing her camera/phone about, following some random stranger into their house, getting sick and not being able to get help or giving her PIN number to shop assistants would all be things that could land her in trouble in Haiti or the USA (or most anywhere else really). YANBU to be worried.

[Cantwejustsaywhatwemean]

Electryone I don't think she has a reason. If any at all and I am being totally serious, it's probably to visit an Air bnb. She's gone a bit nuts for them, is really evangelical about how great they are. Her friend mentioned it I think - she lives in Miami and May have been there. I'm not sure, as I don't know her very well, if she's a seasoned traveller herself or just as bonkers as mum and has been lucky. The problem is I don't think she has any idea about what it will be like! Just vague stuff like 'beautiful' and 'lovely people' etc. am I an awful stick in the mud?

[Cantwejustsaywhatwemean]

In the USA she would be staying with friends and my DB. She hasn't ever really travelled alone anywhere since she was in her 20s except to go to folk art conventions which I think are pretty highly organised events. Usually comes on holiday with us or with my dad when he was alive.

[Cantwejustsaywhatwemean]

Also she doesn't like beach holidays except in Cornwall.

[Acinonyx]

I'm a very seasoned traveller including (for work) parts definitely on the top 10 dangerous list and YANBU. She doesn't seem to know what kind of place she is going to and more importantly, how to behave safely once there. IIWY I would take out travel insurance for her. Dh and I have used ours each more than once (in fact I was in an overseas hospital just last week and very thankful for the insurance) - you do not want to be left feeling obliged to foot the bill.

Of course she is an adult and you can't stop her - but insurance would at least give you some peace of mind.

[MrsSquirrel]

So basically she knows nothing about Haiti and is going there because this other person liked it?