<p>Parent1986 - Could you please post a link for the NYT story. My edition didn’t have it.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/22/world/asia/22iht-search22.html[/url]”>http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/22/world/asia/22iht-search22.html</a></p>
<p>Thank you.</p>
<p>I think this is something relatively new, probably anti-terrorism measure. I have been asked for ID every time I’ve checked into a hotel for the last couple of years or so, in US, Canada, France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and UK.</p>
<p>I had to give my passport to the hotel back in the early 1980s in Italy. Not new.</p>
<p>Yes, we had to hand in passports often in the past when traveling overseas. Almost seems to happen less nowadays. Well, perhaps that is because I travel less.</p>
<p>I have mixed emotions about the story. On the one hand I think it is wonderful how people reached out to help. On the other hand I find it surprising that they would think there was a problem after such a few days with no contact. But then I am from another era and a family (my parents, and my husband and I) that worked and traveled extensively overseas in the days prior to internet, cell phones etc. When my Mum moved to Rhodesia in the late 40s on her own, her only communication with her parents was by letter.</p>
<p>Not the same thing, but I remember my (non swimmer) Mum panicking and sending a life boat to rescue me when I (swim team swimmer and diver) was swimming at Tarkwa Bay in Nigeria many years ago. Even though I was fine they insisted I got in the boat and drove me back to the beach where 100s of people were lined up gawping at the (non) drama. We laugh about it now, but I was mortified at the time.</p>
<p>what country are you in now scm?</p>
<p>Have lived in the US for the last 23 years. Longest time I have ever lived in the same country (let alone same house and town - planning to stay in the country, would like to change the town and house)</p>
<p>me too - hope your mouth is doing ok :)</p>
<p>Thanks. It’s getting there, slowly. Not a comfortable experience, much more uncomfortable than I expected. I have been a real misery guts and my husband has been an absolute saint. Paid a paranoia driven visit to the oral surgeon today and am feeling much less worried about everything now that he has re explained, this time while I was not under the influence of drugs, everything he had to do. Amazing how having the mental worry lifted can help with the physical discomfort.</p>