Learn how to assess security concerns when traveling to more “exotic” destinations and keep safe.
Some travelers maintain that tourist travel to certain countries is unsafe and to be avoided. At the same time, other travelers insist that such travel is safe.
Who, then, can a potential traveler believe? Every traveler is different and has varying travel interests and tolerance levels for risk.
Even within the same country, security concerns may vary widely as well. Before considering travel abroad, it is important to carefully evaluate possible security concerns for a particular destination, while keeping in mind your travel style and willingness to adapt to local ways.
Official Travel Warnings
Before considering travel to a particular country or location, it is advisable to check a variety of sources. This way, the potential traveler can compare the different security concerns that are expressed about a specific country.
A major reliable source of information about the security and safety situations of countries around the world are the dedicated travel sections of government-run foreign affairs offices like the United States’ Department of State, the United Kingdom’s Foreign Office, and Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. All three offices offer frequently-updated country specific information, travel warnings, and travel advice on their respective websites.
As government bureaus that watch out for their citizens’ safety and interests, the Department of State, the Foreign Office, and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade have access to a wide range of sources in the creation of these documents. However, some critics have expressed concern that certain travel warnings may be politically motivated.
Information From Other Travelers
Other travelers can be a great source of information. They may have recently gone exactly where you are thinking of going or they may have some first-hand information that is not readily available in guidebooks. On the other hand, they may have picked up unreasonable or unwarranted opinions or prejudices. The rule of thumb when seeking the advice of other travelers is to gain as much information as possible, but to take it with a grain of salt.
Online travel forums are an easy way to find other travelers who may be eager to share their travel experiences with you. Politely asking curious questions is a good way to get the conversation started. Alternatively, you may know someone in your extended circle of contacts who has gone to the place you are researching. You may ask them to coffee so that you can pick their brains.
Mode of Travel
How one travels can impact one’s level of safety and is an important consideration to keep in mind. For example, in a country where Westerners have been known to be targets, Western tourists traveling in a large group may constitute a security concern in certain areas. Traveling as a small group may attract less attention, but as a smaller group – or even those who travel individually – tend to be more approachable, they may be more susceptible to harassment or worse from unsavory elements of the local population.
Whether traveling as a large group, a small group, or individually, it is important to anticipate and balance current security concerns in the city and country you wish to travel to with the mode of travel you choose. If in doubt, contact your country’s local embassy or consular section for advice and information about the latest conditions.
Fitting in Promotes Safety
In general, travelers who try to respect the local customs through their dress, actions, and speech have a greater chance of ensuring their personal safety. As an illustrative example, a gay couple may openly kiss on the streets of Berlin, Germany; however, that couple would risk death for the same behavior on the streets of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A woman who dresses modestly and a tourist who speaks the local language are appreciated in many countries, or at least it may help the traveler to draw less attention to him or himself.
In certain cases a traveler will be immediately recognizable as a foreigner or tourist, such as black people in Russia or white ones in India, or if you are unable to speak the local language, which may draw unwanted attention, but attempting to emulate local dress, actions, and speech may make a positive difference in how the traveler is perceived or treated. So, read a book on the country’s customs. Take a language course. Put together a modest wardrobe.
Keeping Safe
To be safe, it is important to assess the conditions and safety concerns in the city and country you are considering travel to. Get as much information and evaluate it as you can, you need to carefully look at it, you can make an informed travel decision and have a good holiday while avoiding a potential tragedy.
Ideas and tips for what to do before the first camping trip with kids. Practical tips include preparation and what to bring.
One of the favorite vacations for children is to go camping. Boys may belong to the Boy Scouts or girls to the Girl Scouts, so this can become a frequent vacation for the family. However, camping as an adult is a very different thing than camping as a child. Adults who have not camped before, or only been camping as a child, may be unprepared for the amount of work required to go tent camping. These tips will help make the first experience as enjoyable as possible.
1. Consider the age and personalities of your children.
Camping involves being in the dark, bugs, walking to the bathroom and waiting for things to happen. Food may take longer to make and won’t taste the same as it does at home. All of these new experiences may thrill some kids who can’t wait for more and other kids may be less enthusiastic. Some of these obstacles are readily solved with the addition of a battery-operated nightlight and mosquito spray. Bring little games and activities for children who are too young to engage in camp responsibilities. This could mean helping with gathering firewood, setting the table or straightening up the tent.
2. Choose the best type of campground for your family.
Campgrounds vary widely in amenities. If you have young children, a playground next to the campsites can be important as the kids can play while the adults are busy. Other items to look for are indoor bathrooms, showers, a beach and available drinking water. Some resorts may have scheduled activities for kids while others will have toys and watercraft available for use.
3. Choose the right equipment and practice using it before the trip.
Camping can be challenging if you have never had to use a camp stove, had to filter water or put up a tent. Practice camping for a night in your backyard. Put up the tent, lay out the sleeping bags, cook dinner on the camp stove and sleep in the tent. By doing this at home it will not only provide practice so that things go smoother on the trip but also allow the kids to get a taste of adventure. Be sure to feed them the same food that they will get on the camping trip, so if they have a problem eating it you can change the menu before you go. If they have trouble sleeping in the yard because the air mattress isn’t thick enough now is the time to find out, not when you are at the campsite and they are crabby from lack of sleep.
4. Plan the food and activities with the kids.
Some kids will eat anything put in front of them, but many are more particular than that. Have the kids help plan the menu. If you will be car camping, you are only limited by space and what you can fit into an ice chest. Favorites include hot dogs (roasted over an open fire), sandwiches, s’mores and hamburgers. If you are backpacking, it is a good idea to bring peanut butter and jelly for sandwiches.
5. Bring special items from home.
If the kids read a particular story for bed or have a stuffed animal they sleep with, bring them too. Also, carry to bring a deck of cards and a few small games in case of rain. While rain may seem to be a bad thing, many families end up enjoying the time spent together playing card games and relaxing.
Camping as a wonderful way to spend time together as a family and experience the great outdoors. Hiking, fishing, canoeing and stargazing are only a few of the new adventures that await. Plan a trip that best suits your family and you may hear, “Lets do this again!”
This article outlines suggestions of seasonal leisure activities to be had for little to no money.
Spring
Take a park stroll with pals. You’ll have been sick and tired of being cooped up over the winter, and you’ll get to see the work of nature in progress as the world turns green again.
Take up a new sport. Whether or not your New Year’s resolutions have burnt out, spring’s a great time to start jogging, cycling, a ball game or any other high-impact activity – easier to break yourself in than under the scorching summer sun, plus you’ll look great in your holiday swimwear!
If you’ve a young family, get into the spirit of Easter. You can make bonnets for the price of some coloured card, ribbons, glitter and glue. Paint eggs: start by pricking a tiny hole at the top and bottom of an egg. Blow out the yolk, and the painted egg need not be thrown out. On the day, get out to the nearest steep hill and send your chocolate eggs rolling!
Get out into the garden and reacquaint yourself with plants you haven’t seen since autumn. It’s remarkably therapeutic, and even more satisfying with a team of friends or family to help out.
Summer
Go retro with a Twister tournament on the lawn. You’ll be unsurprised to learn your co-ordination hasn’t much improved since you were ten. If you like, go the whole hog with the kid stuff and bring out the water guns and balloons to cool off when you’re done.
Obvious, really, but a picnic in the park can be as much of a pleasure as a trip to a sunny beach. Loads of home and garden suppliers sell sophisticated hampers and picnicware, and there are millions of classy picnic recipes online, so there’s no danger of soggy sandwiches and limp salad leaves.
If you don’t have a three-figure sum for a festival ticket, check out boutique festivals happening near you – a lot of the gigs are free to attend.
Have an all-hands-on-deck barbecue. Ask each of your friends to supply something and you’ll have a great evening without having to spend a fortune. Most people end up buying and cooking far too much anyway, so you’re being soft on the planet as much as your wallet. You can also apply this principle to dinner parties year-round.
Autumn
If you’ve a digital camera, it’s worthwhile going on a nature walk to track the changes in the seasons. Photography hardware and software is becoming more advanced all the time, so you can while away hours tweaking your beautiful autumn pictures.
If window-shopping is frustrating you, (the town centres will already be plying Christmas promotions) take a detour into your local art gallery. Most are free to enter or require only a small donation.
If you’ve children, take them out to get them kicking through the dry leaves. These also make pretty collages.
Have a Halloween party at home instead of an expensive night on the town. Don’t spend a fortune in fancy dress shops for Halloween – you’d be surprised at what you’ll find lying around from previous years. Older relatives are also great sources of quirky clothing and accessories. Turn your hair white with talc, or any other colour with a cheap can of temporary spray: much more convincing than a wig.
Winter
Organize a murder mystery or casino-themed dinner party and have everyone dress up and contribute something to the meal (ask them to base their dishes on their character, or devise an appropriate cocktail, if you like). A whole evening’s worth of entertainment for very little initial outlay.
Get reacquainted with your local library. So few people make the time to sit down and read for its own sake these days, so find a stellar read, a quiet corner, and lose yourself for an afternoon.
It’s a time for snuggling in, so plan a movie night with your friends. If everyone brings a DVD and a bottle, all you need do is provide a couple of your own, sofa space, popcorn and nachos, and you’ve a comfy, cosy night in on the go.
Shop-bought fireworks aren’t just dangerous, they’re frequently disappointing. Save yourself the hassle by hitting a local display: after seeing the sights, take your friends back for hot chocolate (or a hot toddy) and bargain snacks such as hotdogs and baked potatoes. So much more satisfying than wet feet and numb fingers.
Get your crafty friends together for a day of handmade gifts – whether it be sewing, cooking, painting, collage or making mix CDs, a few bottles of wine and a handful of craft materials will do far less damage to your wallet than a shopping spree with cocktails. Plus you’ll avoid the savage Christmas shopping crowds!
New Years’ is always the centre of much hype that rarely delivers: skip the huge bill for a ticket to a street party (or even a local pub!) and have a small gathering at home: have a musical friend man the decks, have everyone bring a bottle of their favourite, keep snacks simple and home-made and you’ll bring in a fresh year in the warmth, with loved ones and without having run your bank balance below the ground.
Don’t bring a purse. Purses are a distraction for the carrier and a target for pick-pockets. Instead, use a money belt secured under clothing for cash, passports, IDs, and credit cards, and carry a small pouch pack attached to your hip or shoulder strap for personal day-to-day items like small amounts of medication, reading glasses, and lip balm, etc. Men, leave your wallets at home; take what is needed and keep it in a money belt under your clothing. Thieves look for an easy mark and will focus on the tourist with a bulging wallet flopping around a back pocket or a lady swinging a purse around. Simply eliminate the issue.
Money
Carry at least $80 to 100 in small bills, ones, and fives for tips, water, etc.
Believe it or not, money changing can be the cheapest right at the airport, so scout out the currency exchanges in the terminal before you head out. Plus, crazy as it seems, the hotels are frequently out of money! So get it while you can.
Bring no expensive jewelry. Instead, take cheap but attractive pieces that can afford to be lost.
Pack lightly
Plan to hand wash some clothing halfway during the trip. Choose clothing articles that are lightweight and quick drying. Plan the entire wardrobe before packing everything so that all pieces go with everything else. Have a central theme to the wardrobe using a neutral color: black, brown, navy, or grey. Choose one or two accessories that spice up an outfit for evenings out, like a colorful, glittery scarf or a metallic belt with some “bling.” Finally, lay everything out on a bed for easy coordination.
Wear the bulkiest items on the plane: long pants, walking shoes with socks, jackets, and long sleeves. This strategy keeps a traveler comfortable during the trip and saves space in the luggage for lighter items.
All those who have scrimped and saved, planned for years, and finally booked that dream trip only to have luggage lost on the first day – live and learn. Couples traveling together can work as a team.
Take three pieces of luggage.
1. Take one personal item bag, not a purse, but used as a purse just for the flight, something like a beach bag or backpack. Later, this can be used to go to the beach or carry water bottles. In addition, I hold travel documents, books, games, glasses, pair of socks, a toothbrush, and a sleep pillow – just items to help make the airline flight more enjoyable.
2. Pack 3-4 days of important clothing in a regulation-size carry-on luggage piece. Most airlines have a 22-inch limit, and some might have weight caps too. One should think: These clothes would be sufficient for the trip if the unthinkable happens and a checked bag gets lost. Also, the camera and extra copies of important paperwork like passport, ID, credit/debit card, medications, and copy of travel insurance should be packed here and the bag stored in the airplane overhead bin.
A good traveler is an efficient packer but is prepared for all contingencies. Many countries have different cultural and religious traditions than the traveler’s home, so stores can be closed at unexpected times and days. Pack these 3-ounce portions of anti-biotics, Pepto-Bismol, Zicam, or other cold shortening otc product, hand sanitizer, headache pain remedy, bandages, sunscreen, and a packet of laundry soap or extra shampoo for hand washing clothes in the carry-on bag.
3. Check the third bag. It contains all the less critical clothing items and accessories. For example, it might contain dress clothes and shoes, bulky items, and pieces only worn a few times for special occasions.
Having anything stolen at any time is frustrating at best, but it can ruin a vacation altogether, often before it has even started.
Personal Security. Tips for a Female Travelling Alone
Sadly, females traveling alone often fall foul of undesirables. It seems unfair to distrust everyone, but unfortunately, it’s the world we live in. If you are a girl and going anyplace alone, whether national or international, a few things may help you avoid a good deal of heartache. When you arrive at airports, train stations, bus stations, and the like, you will almost certainly have been seen by the people who make their living stealing things from others.
They will pay special attention to you if you are alone; you will almost certainly generate additional awareness if you are female and alone. This attention will increase with loose baggage, handbags, being disorganized, not being able to find things, even wearing a tight skirt and high heels will attract attention; all these things make a spirited resistance unlikely, and you will be well on the way to becoming a target.
Luggage
Try and get rid of your luggage as early as possible; this is easier with airport travel.
Clothing
When traveling anywhere, comfortable clothing is the sensible choice. With this in mind, choose clothing that is both comfortable and practical; loose trousers and a sleeveless shooting jacket with lots of zipped pockets remove much of the risk. This type of clothing looks tidy, whether male or female, and keeps everything where you need it. Sturdy flat footwear such as trainers or approach shoes completes the ensemble.
What Fits Where?
Each pocket is reserved for a specific item; when you pull the item out, it cannot drag anything else out with it. So keep your wallet/purse in one of the inside fronts zipped pockets, and keep a small amount of money in another pocket to buy drinks, food, magazines, and the suchlike while you are waiting for your flight/train/bus.
Be Careful Who You Talk To
Be wary of people you do not know just coming up to you and making conversation; thieves often work in groups. Be on your guard for people requesting help or change, refuse point blank, and move away smartly. These places have all the help anyone could need.
Eating, Drinking, and Reading
If you can, always try to position yourself with your back against a wall if you are having a coffee, sandwich, or just reading; this will reduce the areas that need to be watched and give you peace of mind.
Toilets
These are, without doubt, potentially higher-risk areas but can be managed efficiently with little thought. Be wary of people standing near the toilets. Always use a cubicle with a lock and when you have finished, make sure you are completely dressed and ready before unlocking the door; unlock the door and move quickly out of the cubicle and out of the toilets. You should have a small bottle of antiseptic gel in one of your pockets (50ml) to remove the need to wash your hands in the bathrooms, an area of particular vulnerability. Sunglasses with reactive lenses are also a good idea, as spraying fluid into a victim’s face (often only soapy water) to frighten them seems to be on the rise again.
In the Unlikely Event of a Confrontation
If you have been successful in your assessments and preparations, the event of a confrontation will be improbable. However, several items may be used to great effect should things need to become physical; a rolled-up magazine, a ballpoint pen, an unimportant plastic ‘credit-card’ type card. Or a bunch of keys; these are only a few everyday items that you may use to control the situation. A ballpoint pen in your top pocket looks harmless enough, but when held in your hand with your thumb over the top, it becomes extremely adaptable, a groin, thigh, or back of hand application being very persuasive.
A rolled-up magazine used end-on is very strong indeed; use this to prod the small depression where the neck joins the chest (just below Adam’s apple). A sharp prod here will allow you to walk away unhurried, as will a similar blow to the eye socket or the underside of the nose. A key or plastic ‘credit-card’ type card across the face will also have the desired effect. If another female confronts you in the toilets, don’t get into a brawl; a finger or thumb to the eye will terminate the situation instantly. Providing these things are only used in self-defense, you will have no problems with the authorities whatsoever.
Help From Others
Don’t rely on help from other people; the vast majority will just walk away, not wanting to get involved with someone they don’t know. Instead, always try to be completely self-sufficient; this will help in many other areas throughout life-giving a glowing presence of confidence and control, the very thing thieves wish to avoid.
Exits
Always make sure you know where all the exits are and where they lead should you need to use them in an emergency.
The Whole Thing
All these things together will protect you better than you think; Thefts know what to look for and avoid; everything you have done, from the clothes you wear and your confident manner to the things you carry, all tell the thieves that you are a really bad risk. They will look for an easier target. Remember, good security is all about avoiding confrontation; if a bodyguard has to physically protect a client, he has failed in his primary objective of risk assessment, placing the client in direct physical danger. Unfortunately, good security often goes completely unnoticed. The consciousness of what is going on around you will always serve you well, and although this has only scratched the surface of a constantly changing subject, hopefully, it may just help things along a bit.
