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An offputting and potentially dangerous event happened during a red-eye flight from Anchorage to San Francisco on Alaska Airlines, Sept. 12-13, 2006.

The airline staff made an announcement asking for medical aid. They wanted a physician to help a passenger who had been identified as being in distress. I stood up and identified myself as a physician and introduced myself to the ill passenger. Before I could even take a proper history from the patient or her caregiver, I was challenged by the airline’s staff to produce identification or stop attending to the passenger.

The only...

In Salta, Argentina, Iglesia San Francisco, with its prominent campanario (bell tower), is a landmark church. On Aug. 16, 2005, as we approached it, there were people coming from every direction, bringing their meticulously groomed dogs who were adorned with red ribbons. The crowd was so thick, about 2,000 people, it was difficult to get up to the church entrance to obtain a picture spot.

A band arrived, playing all the way. Eventually, a priest appeared on the threshold of the church and gave a general blessing. The crowd sang a few songs, everyone waving white handkerchiefs.

When I read Rick Steves’ article on packing light (June ’08, pg. 82), I recalled a trip from about 10 years ago.

My husband and I were flying to Paris, where we had had an apartment for many years. A young couple in the seats ahead of us on the plane were enthusiastically celebrating their 10th anniversary by going to Paris, and Europe, for the first time. They had rented a studio apartment not far from us, so I asked if they would like a brief walking tour of that historic section of the city. They agreed enthusiastically, and we set an appointment for the next morning.

As...