Traveling Safely in an Unsafe World
Don’t let the fear of the unknown keep you from discovering the world around you.
I want to see this big, beautiful world before I die — at least as much as possible. My bucket list is full of travel goals. The opportunity to see different people, indulge in foreign culinary delights, and chew the fat with people who see the world from an angle far different from my own — these are reasons I wake up every morning — eager to see what else is out there for me to experience.
The World Looks Scary
The news media today relies on drama and chaos to generate enough revenue to stay on the air — I get that. Fear is a big attention grabber and ratings pay salaries. If you pay too much attention to the reports of plague and pestilence, mass murders and corruptions at every level, wars, and rumors of war, you may end up with the unsettling belief that the world is just too dangerous for you to explore. It’s tempting to take shelter in front of the television set and expand your view of the world in electronic safety. That’s a mistake you can’t afford to make if you want to enrich your life. Sure, the world is dangerous and unsafe. The world has ALWAYS been dangerous and unsafe. Brave souls from the beginning of human existence have ventured outside the security of their caves to fend off saber-tooth tigers and such, all in an effort to capture the next meal or to see what was over the horizon on the next hill.
Was the world a safe place in the Middle Ages? When Columbus set sail for the new world? When slave traders bartered their human cargo in exchange for personal wealth? During any one of the hundreds of horrific wars that have cursed humanity? Any time Mother Nature unleashed her fury anywhere and everywhere on the globe? Any time . . . ever? There have always been risks — and there have always been people ready, willing and able to accept those risks. Those people weren’t fearless, powerful or even overly optimistic. Those people were — people. Just regular people who saw the world where they were and had a burning desire to see more. Before you let your passport expire and lock yourself inside your home forever, flex your explorer’s muscle just a bit and, with a touch of common sense, expand your world.
Smart travel in an unsafe world
Don’t travel blind (yes, I know there are adventurous travelers out there who circle the globe with nothing more than whatever they can stuff into their backpack, but I’m trying to show a certain amount of restraint here). Pay enough attention to local and/or world news to learn the current hot spots. You don’t have to see the whole world this time around. Things have a way of calming down, even in the most treacherous of climates. Move some of your more volatile destinations a little further down on your bucket list.
Dress smart, not sharp
The world doesn’t care if you’re a wealthy heiress or a business mogul — but thieves and scammers do. Don’t make yourself an easy target by flaunting expensive jewelry, flashing credit cards and money too readily, or boldly bragging about your status in life. Staying low key goes a long way towards fitting easily into your surroundings.
The world is filled with wonderful people
In addition to seeing the wonders of the world, travel will bring you in contact with diverse people who can open your eyes to their world (and sometimes even to their view of YOUR world). Meeting people while traveling can be a double-edged sword. The world is full of interesting, entertaining and enlightening people. The world is also full of people eager to take advantage of that fact. Be open to meeting new people but don’t be too eager to trust and befriend everyone you meet. Some of the friendliest people in the world are the ones most likely to be con artists and petty thieves. Some of the most reserved people in the world are filled with the knowledge that will expand your world.
It can be tempting, when traveling, to let your guard down a little. Resist the temptation to eat, drink and be merry. Pay attention to your surroundings and your companions at all times.
Friends are the spice of life
Speaking of companions, there is a significant safety factor involved in traveling with someone versus traveling alone. I know there are many stout-hearted travelers out there who see nothing wrong in hitting the trails and rails on their own — and I applaud their stamina and courage — but I will stand by my encouraging advise to travel with one or more like-minded companions. Two (three, four) heads are better than one. There will always be more energy, more ideas, and more knowledge to work with when you have a traveling companion. And the added safety factor cannot be discounted.
Don’t forget the folks back home
It’s important that someone knows where you are, or at least where you should be, at all times. Leave your agenda with someone back home and remember to check in from time to time. It’s a good idea to leave copies of all your vital travel documents with them as well. You never know when you might be required to prove your identity. If documents are lost or stolen, you should have a source who can supply the identification you need.
Travel insurance is a luxury you can’t afford to be without
Some people view travel insurance as an unnecessary expense. And it is — until you need it. Remember, the more often you travel, the greater the chance of something disrupting your journey. Flight delays, weather issues, political uprisings — all of these things, and more, can and do happen on a regular basis. That small amount of money you had to shell out for travel insurance may start to look incredibly insignificant in the face of a totally ruined travel experience. Someday, somewhere, you will be grateful for travel insurance.
That’s my personal tip for all travelers.
Travel is fun, enlightening, personally rewarding and probably one of the best educational experiences you will ever have. It will be that much more so if you follow some of the safety best practices that knowledgeable travelers consider to be second nature.