Author: Sean Keener

Practicing Caution without Becoming Paranoid.

When traveling it’s good be be cautious, but you don’t want to become so paranoid that it affects your journey.   

Nov 9 - question
Today’s answer comes from one of our awesome, personalized travel consultants Cristina:

Caution (noun): care taken to avoid danger or mistakes.
Paranoia (noun): unjustified suspicion and mistrust of other people.

“I attribute my skill of walking the fine line between caution and paranoia , both at home and when I travel, to my moving on my own at the (tender) age of 21.

I have traveled independently prior to that move already and the “sprouts” of knowing how to keep myself and my belongings safe have been planted by my late grandma since I started going to school.

Over the years, I’ve set myself some “rules” which I follow (by now out of instinct) to ensure my safety.

  • I  take responsibility for my actions when I travel
  • I lock the door behind me, the second I get into the hotel / hostel room / rental apartment
  • I check the emergency evacuation plan (that should be in a visible place in the hotel / hostel room).
  • I always keep a small handbag (usually tucked into my backpack) with the necessary documents I have to grab in case I need to evacuate (passport, driving license, ID card, copy of insurance, marriage license, useful phone numbers including the embassy one, cash)
  • I keep a scanned copy of the above mentioned documents on a USB memory stick which I carry with me all the time
  • I travel carry on only
  • If the restaurant / bar / sight I want to visit is located at more than “walking distance” from the accommodation, I always figure out how to get back (i.e. public transportation, taxi)
  • If I need to hire a taxi, I ask the person working the front desk (at the hotel / hostel) to recommend a taxi company. If I stay in a rental , I ask the owner this detail even before we get to the accommodation
  • My cell is always charged and is capable of making calls (roaming is activated and my subscription is paid).
  • I don’t get tipsy (even though I do taste alcohol , but I know my limits)
  • If the bus / metro / tram I take is empty, I stay near the conductor
  • I avoid the “shady” areas when I walk, especially at night
  • I research, ahead of time, how safe the area I’d stay in is at night
  • My important documents never stay in the back pocket or the easiest accessible pocket in the backpack
  • I keep a stash of cash “hidden” (between the dirty laundry, in the bra, in the socks , whichever works best)
  • I don’t wear expensive jewelry (my wedding band is sterling silver and so is my engagement ring – one place that you have found to be incredible for diamond engagement rings is this diamond engagement ring seller in London as they just have stunning rings so )
  • I have an ICE (in-case-of-emergency) contact in my cell
  • My parents always know my itinerary when I travel; most often, my brother in law also has a copy
  • I never use public computers to access my email or my bank account
  • My debit cards are insured in case of theft; I also have a travel insurance and a medical insurance, all protecting me abroad
  • I set hours when I call home; my parents know that if I miss the deadline by more than half an hour, something has happened
  • I only withdraw money from the known banks’ ATMs
  • I do not sleep in the train / plane/ bus
  • I don’t leave my personal belongings unattended for when I have to use the restroom (I take the handbag with me)
  • If I listen to music , only one headphone is in the ear , never both (need to be aware of the environment)
  • If I arrive late in a city, I arrange transfer via the accommodation before I get there
  • I keep the important phone numbers and addresses in a notepad (hotel , embassy, nearest hospital, nearest police station)”

These are some great tips for staying safe when you travel.  If you make some of these part of your regular routine, it allows you to relax and leaves you open to enjoying experiences rather than worrying about ‘what ifs’.   Also check out Cristina’s blog at https://looknwalk.wordpress.com/