It's tricky territory, for sure. But if you write with the goal of staying on everyone's good side, you're right--the story gets watered down. Anne Lamott was once asked about relatives' reactions to the way she'd portrayed them in her writing. She responded, "If they didn't like it, they should have behaved better." So the story, and the courage to tell it, have to come first--but always with the goal of telling the writer's experience, not shaming, blaming or holding other people up for ridicule. That's the balance we have to find.

Thanks for you comments, everyone. I'm slow in responding, as I'm on the real road at the same time I'm making blog stops. But I'm so grateful for your interest, and your thoughts on returning to the places we come from, and writing about family. And Jenny O, I agree--going back isn't about recapturing, but exploring, learning, and moving on. Best wishes to all of you. Tracy

You've nailed it. These are all the reasons I don't travel much anymore--I can't bear to see the inequities and the slobbish, ignorant, privileged air of entitlement so many westerners carry. I also feel so ambivalent about carrying my own American dollars into developing countries, also relying on cheap labor and food and hotels--I realize it's not entirely rational on my part. How do you deal with that part of it?