You have to read between the lines to discern the truth. The article is going to play it off in a semi-serious light for the comical effect of it: a dumb fratboy two sheets to the wind arbitrarily deciding to boogie off to Libya, completely unarmed and untrained, is much funnier than the probable actuality of the situation.
Of course he's unarmed; a private citizen traveling internationally while armed is virtually impossible, and I can't imagine he has the resources (or the necessity) to arm himself upon arrival.
It is a sick vacation, to be honest, and most likely said sarcastically.
If you tell your parents you'll be touring Libya in the summer, causing them to worry and fret, and then the knock at the door comes, is it somehow worse than if the knock comes unawares? He's an adult and he didn't see the need to worry his parents.
He's on the ground, talking to real people a half a world away during a historical revolution that will be recorded and taught to children in the future... riding, eating, living and talking with these people is an experience no one can take away from this young man, even if you decide to only focus on the fact that his decision was foolhardy and dangerous.
Of course it's stupid and dangerous. Big fuckin deal, says I. He's 21, with no family of his own to support. He's free to do with his life as he sees fit, and if is vision involves living with Libyan rebels in the desert during a revolution, so be it. I say more power to him.
