Travel can be scary. But there are things we can do to help make our trips safe and to return safely. Here are 10 hints for international travel.
1 - Play it safe by dressing like the locals. Leave your expensive jewelry at home. If you dress too casually or too flashy, you are flagging yourself as a tourist.
2 - Pack light. The lighter your travel, the easier and quicker you'll be able to move. It also means you are more likely to have a free hand and not have to put anything down.
3 - Wear clothes with several pockets and distribute your daily cash among them. Have small bills handy for that bottle of water purchase. Watch for people creating distractions in crowded areas. And keep most of your cash and valuable documents in a hidden money pouch. Don't display wads of cash. Have a cheap wallet? Put a few dollars in it and put it in your back pocket to distract pickpockets from your other pockets.
4 - Your carry on bag is where your medicines belong. Never, never, ever pack your medicines in your checked luggage. And this also goes for eyeglasses and anything else you have that you might panic without.
5 - And along the line of medicines, to help get through customs easily, keep them all in their original container. If it is an unusual medication or has a narcotic in it, bring a letter from your doctor.
6 - Make a copy of the photo page of your passport. Carry extra passport sized photos with you.
7 - Plan on using ATMs. Try to bring as little cash as possible. If you can, bring two credit cards. One you will use and one you will keep in your money pouch, in case of emergency. Call your credit card banks and let them know you'll be traveling and where and when. Otherwise you could find your purchase denied because the bank doesn't know you are in Asia, or wherever.
8 - Make a copy of your itinerary with friends and family. Include emergency contact info, copies of passports, tickets, travel insurance policy and any other important documents that you have. If you have a scanner, scan them and email them to yourself. That way you'll have access to them wherever you are.
9 - If you'll be in one place for more than two weeks, consider registering at the nearest embassy or consulate. U.S. citizens can register at the Department of State website at https://travelregistration.state.gov If there is an emergency in the area you are visiting, the embassy will know you are there.
10 - Learn to say a few things in the local language. At minimum, learn how to say Please, Thank You and Help. There are many resources on the internet for learning a language whether it's Spanish, French, German, or Japanese.
The author and her husband have visited 6 continents. The 7th, Asia, is on the schedule. For more help with travel safety, check out Have a Safe Trip