All air travelers have to endure it ... an interrupted journey because Mother Nature or other factors cause troubles at exactly the worst moment. It could be a hurricane, riot, earthquake, snowstorm, hurricane, cancelled flight, missed connection or any other unexpected and unwelcome situation.

Smart senior travelers do everything possible beforehand to be prepared for all contingencies. Along with usual traveling gear, they pack a compact disaster kit to have in pocket or carry-on bag for when it may become quickly necessary.

The kit should include small flashlight, water, snacks, emergency cash, IDs, prescriptions and other med supplies. Of course, be totally up-to-date by carrying the latest electronic doohickey. Smart seniors have a multi-use smartphone, portable charger and extra batteries. That long airport wait can be relieved by reading the latest Ebook, scanning current news or viewing a favorite classic movie, such as the comedy, Airport.

In previous overseas travel, we almost always rented a car. However, we’ve recently heard horror stories about parking ticket and other sky-high traffic charges in foreign cities. Some tourists didn’t even know about the hefty fines until they showed up on credit card accounts long after they returned home.

We’re scheduled to spend a week in Tokyo next month. Should we rent a car or make it around the city by taxi, bus and train? BL, San Diego CA

A: Remember small-town Barney Fife types ticketing innocent tourists for speeding or parking violations? They used the money to pay their salaries or as outright thievery. We’re afraid this trend, enhanced by ever-more crowded streets, digital messaging and credit cards, is happening in some of the world's most popular tourist cities.

Gershwin wrote: Summertime and the livin’ is easy. However, summer drivin’ may not be that easy for seniors. Whether on a major toll road, country lane or busy city street, the harsh truth is once you’re past age 55, reaction times get slower and eyesight dimmer each year. Seniors need to stay within speed limits and be increasingly alert behind the wheel.

According to the Harris study, a major cause of highway traffic accidents these days and nights is connected to effects of aging. Additionally, nearly half of older drivers still use printed maps exclusively, unwilling to deal with those newfangled electronic gadgets.

Your travel4seniors.com editor recently captured this tender scene of what young people do when bidding goodbye or saying hello at the train station. Remember when?