Travelling abroad can be a very rewarding and eye opening experience that can expose you to a new culture. People travel abroad all of the time and most often are able to enjoy a safe trip. However it is important that you are aware of the potential danger of becoming a victim of a crime when you are visiting a foreign country.
U.S. embassies and consulates are flooded with calls 365 days of the year from American citizens who have run into problems in the course of their travels. The goods news is that most of the time the problems that arise come with a relatively simple solution. It is always better to be safe than sorry though! Here we look at some things that you should take with you when you travel abroad.
What Travels With You
You need to consider your safety even before you get on the airplane. Traveling abroad safety needs to get its start when you pack for your trip. You do not want to wear anything that will call undue attention to yourself and will make you look like you have money. Leave your expensive jacket or coat at home and the same can be said for your expensive pieces of jewelry.
While you are at it pack as light as possible. Take essentials with you only. In this way your movements will be less restricted and you are less likely to misplace something. You will also not be weighted down with cumbersome luggage.
Take as few valuables with you as possible and make sure you keep them out of sight at all times. When you are at the hotel the safest place for your money, credit cards and passport is a safe. When you are out and about and need to have your valuables with you it is wise to put them in different places on your person. In that way if you lose one you will not loss them all.
Purses are easy targets for thieves when you are traveling in a foreign country. The same can be said for fanny packs and outside pockets in your jacket, coat, sweater or pants. Inside pockets that are not evident to onlookers are safer places to stash your valuable items. The same can be said for a shoulder bag that is sturdy and is worn not over your shoulder but across your chest. It is more difficult for a would-be thief to grab a bag that is slung across the chest.
One of the safest places on your body to keep your cash and your credit cards when you are out shopping, eating or sight seeing is in a money belt or a pouch that is worn under your clothing and cannot be seen by anyone.
If you wear eyeglasses then having a second pair with you in your carry-on luggage is strongly recommended. If you wear contact lenses then make sure that you have a few extra pairs in case you lose a pair or they get damaged. Be aware however that it is not advisable to wear contact lenses on the plane as the pressure changes can be hard on the eyes. Pack your extra pair of glasses, your contact lenses and any medication that you are taking with you in your carry-on bag for safe storage. Then off you go to enjoy yourself!
