I'm so thankful to Julie for featuring me here on her blog!
I've followed her travels for a while now because, honestly, it gives me so
many ideas to add to my own travel bucket list—like this
series on trekking in Nepal that I'm so jealous of! I'm really
pleased to be here.
Although my parents got me hooked on travel from the time I
was young, I think they were a little surprised (and no doubt nervous!) when I
told them about my first solo trip abroad. And when that spiraled into a
months-long trip traveling the world with just the contents of a backpack, they
were right to worry about me.
Unfortunately, no matter how seasoned a traveler
you are, things can happen while you're on the road, just the same as if you
were in any city in your home country.
But I think that parents and friends
might worry a bit more when you're in far flung places around the world since
you aren't likely to bump into them every day!
Here's a list of my top ten safety tips that have helped me
throughout my travels:
(1) Check the government's website. The government is there to
protect you, and you can count on them to issue travel
alerts or warnings if an area is too dangerous for
you to travel to. They've also compiled a list of dangers to be on the
lookout for, recommended vaccinations and all sorts of other information
that you need when you're traveling. Download the information and you can
read it on the plane.
(2) Keep abreast of changes while
traveling. Of
course, the situation is always changing, especially in volatile regions,
but it's sometimes hard to keep up with the news when you're busy
exploring and planning where to go next! Make sure you don't miss anything
by registering
your travels with STEP—they'll send updates right to
your inbox.
(3) Read up on local customs. The more you know about and abide
by the local norms, the less you'll stick out—and the safer you'll be.
Disrespect local customs—for example, by eating in the streets during
Ramadan in Istanbul—and you may find yourself a target for anger and
frustration.
(4) Know the local laws. When you're traveling, you're
subject to the local laws, even if these laws are different from the ones
back home, and even if you weren't aware of the laws. The last thing you
want is to end up in jail or stuck paying off a hefty fine because you
didn't realize, for example, that it's illegal to take pictures of police
officers in many countries around the world.
(5) Research common scams. From keeping yourself safe to
keeping your money in your pocket, knowing about common scams can save you
in a lot of ways. As soon as you know what to look out for, you're much
less likely to fall for things like that taxi driver who seems oh-so
friendly but is really working on commission for a local shop! Identity
theft is one thing that's particularly
common with travelers, who access public WiFi networks
without considering the consequences. Make sure you're using a VPN on all
your devices (including
your phone) so that your passwords and other personal
information stays encrypted between you and the site you're accessing.
(6) Let people know where you are and
where you're headed. I know there's an appeal to going off the grid, but
don't just disappear! If something bad does happen to you, you want
someone to be looking out for you. Even if nothing bad happens, well,
it'll make your mother worry less if she knows where you are and how to
contact you!
(7) Know where you're going! Don't get me wrong, I love the
idea of a totally spontaneous trip, and there are times when I've hopped a
plane with very little idea where I'd be going when I arrived. But if you
do nothing else, at least download some offline
maps on your phone so you're not totally lost. The
last thing you want is to accidentally end up in a bad area.
(8) Use common sense. Too often, people on vacation
seem to forget all sense, especially after a night of partying. Even back
home, you probably would avoid sketchy areas and avoid walking alone at
night, right? There's no reason why things should be any different while
you're on your trip—especially if you don't know the area very well! Above
all else, the best way to keep yourself safe is to trust your instincts.
(9) Respect immigration authorities
and other officials. One of the easiest ways to get into trouble with the
authorities is to be a smart-ass. Again, this ties in with the whole
common sense thing: the last person you want to annoy is the person who
has the authority necessary to ruin your trip. On the flip side, the more
you respect local authorities, the more likely they will be to help you if
necessary.
(10) Steer clear of demonstrations and
politically charged events. Such events can be really interesting, and honestly,
they can be hard to avoid since they often happen right in front of the
places that tourists want to check out (right in downtown). But you don't
want to find yourself in the middle of a rapidly escalating situation or
in trouble with the police because of your curiosity!
Travel is an amazing experience, but with all the chaos
going on in the world these days, it can also be a frightening experience both
for you and your loved ones.
Dangerous situations can really ruin a trip; to avoid them, do
your research ahead of time and follow these ten tips!
About the Author: Jess Signet is an avid traveler who enjoys writing about her adventures. Jess loves off the beaten path adventures but also knows it's important to travel safely. She hopes these tips will help you to enjoy memorable, happy and safe travels. You can follow Jess and her travels at www.tripelio.com
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