b'When Two Weeks THESeems Like a LifetimeGREATECUADORIANESCAPE Travel,beitdomesticorinternational, carries a measurable and well-understood element of risk.Here in Canada, the list of concerns thank-fully remains a short one: nasty weather, natural disasters, and cunning thieves are probably its extent.And, unless you iden-tify the sitting US President as a tangible threat, the list in that country is no longer, assuming that you apply a drop of common sense to which sections of its larger cities might be best avoided.Butinternationaltravel,nowthatsa horse of another colour.Political instability tops the list of factors which might be wor-risome; thats a possibility which wouldnt even rate mention when discussing the US or Canada.Accounting for it in advance of a trip is, at best, a guessing gamemean-ingbothitslikelihoodandhowitmight manifestitself,supposingsomethingdid occur.But most would agree, it qualifies as a genuine concern in some countries.JaneAnneShortlywouldalmostcer-tainly be one of those nodding in agree-ment about the risk associated with foreign politics. Jane Annes recent trip to Ecuador more closely resembles an adventure than a vacation.I kept a journal and called it The Great Escape, she laughs.The original plan was simple: a 12-day bus tour.However, Jane Anne and her hus-band Michael were scarcely on the ground in the capital city of Quito when the political dam burst.Please turn to page 26Jane Anne on the six-seater plane, along withher husband, three others who were on the tour, and the tour guide.FOCUS - JANUARY 202025'