Travel Safety (A 3-part series)

Part 1: Water Holds Memory—Honoring Safety Through Ancestral Wisdom

The ocean has always held duality. It is both womb and grave, healer and challenger. For the African diaspora, it carries memories of journeys forced and chosen, of lives lost and reborn. So when we approach water, especially in unfamiliar lands, we must do so not just with caution, but with reverence.

The tragic passing of Malcolm-Jamal Warner while swimming in Costa Rica invites us to pause. To reflect. To recalibrate how we honor water’s power and our responsibility to protect ourselves and one another while abroad.

Here’s how we prepare: with intention, knowledge, and ancestral grounding.

Know the Waters Before You Enter

• Study local conditions: Some beaches are notorious for rip currents, uneven terrain, or lack of lifeguards. Know the temperament of the land.

• Ask locals: Speak with trusted residents and guides. They often carry cultural knowledge passed down through generations.

• Check the forecast: Weather shifts can make serene waters treacherous in moments.

Protect Your Physical Self

• Never swim alone: Even skilled swimmers can be overwhelmed. Make your plans known, swim with others, and remain visible.

• Avoid alcohol near water: Judgment and reaction time matter when nature moves quickly.

• Wear bright swimwear: Visibility is safety—and a beacon if help is needed.

• Know the signs of drowning: It’s often quiet. Learn to recognize distress, for yourself and others.

Honor Ancestral Caution

Our elders understood that water is alive. They poured libations, offered prayer, and listened.

Before you travel:

• Create a travel altar or pouch: Include photos of loved ones, protective herbs (basil, sage), and a shell or crystal from your homeland.

• Speak intention aloud: “I move with awareness. I am held. I am seen.”

• Learn local rituals: If invited to participate in water blessings, join with respect—or witness with reverence.

Know How to Get Help

• Memorize emergency numbers: Costa Rica uses 118 for medical emergencies; 911 for general crises.

• Download offline maps & local safety apps: These serve when signals fail.

• Register with your embassy: Especially critical for solo travelers and long stays.

Sunny skies and crystal-clear waters greet visitors at this pristine tropical beach, with palm trees swaying gently beside golden sands and lush green mountains in the distance.

Closing Reflection

Water asks us to surrender, but not without preparation. It is a mirror and a messenger. As we travel, especially to places rich in natural wonder and ancestral energy, may we do so deliberately and with deep respect.

Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s untimely passing is a call. To know. To honor. To teach each other how to live fully and safely in this world.

I invite you to share this post with your travel-loving kin, your community groups, your youth planning their first solo trips. Let’s hold each other close—even across borders—and make safety a collective ritual.

Stay tuned for Part 2, where we dive into vetting tourist companies and staying safe beyond the brochure.