It's a Miracle!--Chapters 16 and 17

As we near the conclusion, we are watching on two fronts. We see Harry doing his best to find his friends, and we are with the tourists as they survive in the jungle and wonder how to help themselves.

The story may be set in a primitive country filled with myth and superstition, but the heroes turn out to be electronic toys and American television! Black Spot sends Roxanne's camcorder video to Harry, and despite his usual bumbling, the video is broadcast to the world. It reveals the condition of the tourists as well as their thoughts and emotions about what they see. It also brings to public attention the brutality of the Burmese military regime against its own people.

Life becomes a roller coaster ride for the tribe. The news coverage of the Americans' disappearance gives information about them to their enemies. They prepare to die. Then, with the showing of Roxanne's video, they see themselves as TV stars surviving bigger challenges than the contestents on Darwin's Fittest, their favorite show. They will be famous. They are saved; maybe Rupert is their messiah after all!

All is quickly resolved as miracles begin to happen. The bridge is resurrected; the government promises peace and prosperity for the tribe; a telephone appears--the tourists are rescued!

I'm glad that all members of the group are saved without loss of life or physical harm. But I don't trust the government to follow through with its promises to the tribe no matter how much I want to believe. We have heard too many stories about what this regime is capable of. It is shrewd to be generous when the world is watching, but what happens when the kidnapped tourists go back to their privileged lives and Burma is no longer under international scrutiny?

So what was this all about? We have seen ugly Americans, a repressive military dictatorship, and viewed the survival of an oppressed native tribe. We have learned how the power of myth and legend can influence lives. We have begun to question the wisdom of supporting the economy of a repressed country.

The lessons? Appreciate what you've got, respect and learn from those with customs and sensibilities different from your own, don't believe everything you're told, think about who benefits from spending tourist dollars abroad, and always stick with your guide when you travel!

What did you learn? Did you enjoy the trip?

And what really happened to Bibi....?