Among the things we need to do as we grow older is to acknowledge our diminishing strength and stamina. Somehow, this downslide is more evident when we travel and in the last decade of seeking to be globe trotters, we have found ourselves slowing down steadily.

On our first trip abroad, we kept up effortlessly with our son’s strides as we set out early in the morning to explore and returned to the hotel late at night — having been continuously on our feet and thus able to take in all the sights in the short time at our disposal.

A few more bustling trips like that — and a few more years on us — and the wear and tear began to show. We were left behind as the younger ones charged ahead ... Of course, we found plenty to see and do as we strolled around. If we missed out on walking for miles on beaches and in markets, so what? We still got to enjoy that delicious hot chocolate at a cafe while we watched street performers in the town square, didn’t we?

But now, we have also begun to show our years. Where earlier our quick movements and alert eyes got us in and out of crowds and lonely areas safely, now we are an easier target. Our vulnerability is evident to the observer, whether in our own country or abroad.

But which of us wants to acknowledge this?

I well recall the mischievous glint in his eyes as my father narrated how, at the age of 75, he got down from a safari vehicle in Zimbabwe to have a “closer look” at some plants ... seconds before a lioness charged! Nimble as he was — and perhaps propelled by terror as well — he managed to leap back into the vehicle with no damage done.

Ready to face a cobra

That ought to have taught him to be careful, but it didn’t — and he had no awareness of his advancing years. Thus, at age 91, there he was, hurrying out of the house with a stout stick to help save the day when a lightning-fast cobra was in the chicken coop! He was still in good health and his blood reports and cardiac condition would probably have put all three of his children to shame — but, although he had forgotten, let’s face it, he was 90 plus! And, he was wearing a lungi (sarong worn by men in India and other Asian countries), which more often than not would slip down and get entangled in his legs and prevent him from taking another step until it was re-tied at the waist! But with all that — he was ready to face a cobra!

Thankfully, none of us got Dad’s level of daredevilry; but in my own home today, there is a proud veteran of the armoured corps, who still pictures himself in uniform and thinks that people everywhere will think twice before they tackle him. He is totally unaware that his halo of white hair announces that he has long been retired and his slim — and steadily getting slimmer — frame is no longer intimidating! Even with a spouse beside him who combines the shape of a battle tank with the demeanour of a battle axe, we are still a soft target.

Thus, we have been pocket-picked by ‘experts’ and accosted by con men flashing fake badges ... but do we stay home and stay out of trouble?

Not a chance.

Because, along with those unsavoury encounters, we have the happy memories of being helped in almost every place we’ve visited by good Samaritans who see in us the same telltale signs that con men do.

And that is what we like to think about as we make our way through yet another unfamiliar street in yet another unfamiliar country ...

Cheryl Rao is a journalist based in India.