Exploring new countries and culture is a life experience that everyone should have. Seeing monuments and sites in countries you have only read about in history books is awe inspiring. As exhilarating as traveling out of the country is, there are precautions you should take to ensure your trip is everything you are hoping for.
- Governments. You will be dealing with different rules and laws. Do your research on the country you are going to before traveling to avoid making mistakes that could have horrible consequences. Locate the nearest US Embassy to where you will be and know how to get there, just in case.
- Carry copies of your passport and credit card account and company numbers. Having of copy of your passport can get you out of a jam with a foreign government, but will also make replacing yours easier if something happens. Keep all the information you need to call and cancel your credit cards in case they are lost or stolen.
- Do not dress like a tourist. This is not limited to tropical print shirts and sandals with socks. Avoid clothes with obvious name brands and keep your camera put away in a purse or bag when you are not using it. Keep your money and documents on you, not in your bag.(Those really geeky money holders that hang around your neck are great, just keep it under your shirt).
- Research what attractions you know you want to see so you can get there easily and do not have to wipe out your map of the entire city. If you have a smart phone, look for an app with a map of what ever city your are visiting.
Being prepared will save you a great deal of stress, and help you avoid situations that can put your safety in jeopardy. Despite what well meaning family might say, you probably will not get stabbed and robbed in the streets (especially if you look like you belong!), but being prepared helps, too!