It is an
undeniable fact that Americans are avid travelers. In the 1800s, the Industrial Revolution virtually
led to the formation of the travel industry in the U.S. If you
build it, they will come describes this time period – railroads, hotels, beach
resorts and other new destinations sprang up in increasing numbers as American
wanted to get away from their everyday lives.
International travel also became an option due to the invention of large
ocean liners and then the airplane. Each
decade saw the creation of larger and faster travel options. Europe could be reached in hours, not
weeks. Feel like a safari in
Africa? Sure, just jump on a plane and
go.
Once upon a
time, Americans were darlings – welcomed with open arms almost anywhere in the
world, free to move and safe doing so.
Sadly, that world is now gone. The
danger to American citizens could no longer be denied after September 11,
2001. Americans are now specifically
targeted by an untold number of violent and extreme groups and stories of kidnappings
and murders happen regularly. Even in
so-called friendly countries, the heightened state of alert regarding security
means citizens may be mistaken for terrorists, with devastating consequences.
Who is one
of the least likely American icons that anyone would think of as a
terrorist? The surfer, whose main
objective is to catch the next wave and enjoy the ride. But as the true story Surf Guns of Morocco illustrates, even the harmless surfer is not
immune to violence against Americans overseas.
Catching a wave in Morocco they are forced to flee under a hail of
bullets from AK-47s. Thinking Spain
would be safe, they travel there by ferry – only to be mistaken for terrorists
and almost shot by the Guardia Civil.
Searching for the perfect wave suddenly also becomes searching for a way
to survive.
Surf Guns of Morocco is available in a Kindle ebook
edition at Amazon – click here
