I watched my brother, Frank, as he took his last breath. It was the only time I witnessed death. I was at his bedside when the event occurried. He was a fighter and lasted much longer than most thought he would. Even in his last moments, in a coma, he struggled to breathe despite encouragement from me and his wife to let go. Cancer is a terrible thing, and the death I fear most.
Fortunately., I don't dwell on the subject. But I probably should give it more thought than I do. What if it happens when I'm traveling alone in a foreign, remote land? My odds of an accidental death or death by violence is higher than average. What if my last breath occurs on a remote experience?
In retrospect, I thought of that when recalling, on my yet to post Amazon experience, staying with a tribe in the Amazon jungle. No one even knew I was there. That's not the only time either. What would happen logistically if I passed away on a remote adventure? I suppose the US Embassy would be involved.
I don't buy travel insurance. It may be stupid on my part but it's served me well so far. Travel insurance allows for the transportation of the remains back home in addition to medical help on a trip. Body transportation would not matter to me, as I see no significance in a dead body myself, but it might be important to others to get my body back home. Or at least my ashes.
But really the sad part for me about taking a last breath on a remote adventure is to die alone. That's one thing I would not care to do. Of course, if it were a quick end it wouldn't really matter, but to die among strangers would not be my preferred method. I think my brother was fortunate (maybe a poor choice of words), to take his last breath in his home around those who that loved him.
I know I have put myself at a higher risk traveling to unfamiliar places. It's usually in unfamiliar territory where injuries can occur. But, at the time of the event in all my travels, I never thought about the dangers (too much). I was too caught up in the moment to take proper concern.
I can only recall a single time being apprehensive. It was my first trip to remote India when I knew I was in a terrorist province. I didn't sleep well that first night. Each time I heard a vehicle approach and stop nearby, my mind went to a paranoid place. A place where I was convinced they heard of the strange American visitor who likely had some money on him. It took several nights to shake that feeling.
I count myself fortunate to have had no close brushes with death or serious injury. But, of course it remains a possibility on any adventure. Wherever it is I take my last breath I'll not regret the time I've invested in adventure travel.
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