Traveling is fun and exciting. However, a trip can turn suddenly into a nightmare. While traveling, we have to protect ourselves from becoming a victim. Here how you can do it especially if you are a first time /solo/female traveler.
BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS
I get it, you are having a great time and when we are having fun, we are less paying attention to our surroundings. A friend of mine from the US got her bag stolen while enjoying a bike ride in Paris. In it was her credit/debit cards and cash. Fortunately for her, she was traveling with her husband and had decided last minute to leave their passports at their hotel.
ZIP UP YOUR BAG
In a moment of distraction, I left my bag open after putting my cell phone in it. I was calling a friend while on the train. As I was getting close to my stop, I quickly put the phone in my bag without properly securing it. Someone took advantage of it and grab it quietly. I didn’t feel/see anything!
BEWARE OF PICKPOCKETERS WHILE ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
Unfortunately, many can spot a foreigner from a mile away and make him/her their next target. In Paris, groups of young men and women target tourists in the streets but especially in the metro. This past winter while on the metro, I noticed a group of 2 men and a woman that got on. Didn’t think much of it until I heard an American man saying out loud, “get your hand out of my pocket”. They were quick to get off at the next stop!
TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS
If you feel something is not right. It is. So get out!
KEEP AN EYE ON YOUR BELONGINGS AT RESTAURANTS, COFFE SHOPS AND BARS
A friend of mine visiting from the South of France, got his bag stolen while he was eating at a restaurant in Paris. Fortunately for him, there was nothing valuable in his bag. Only magazines.
ALWAYS HAVE A PHOTOCOPY OF YOUR PASSPORT OR ANY I.D. IN YOUR INBOX
In case, you may have to get an emergency passport to leave the country you are visiting. That will help you to provide proof of citizenship.
KEEP YOUR JEWELRY AT HOME
We hear it all the time but it is for our own security. Keep your watches, earrings, necklaces, rings and bracelets at home. However, if you really want to travel with your jewelry, get some cheap ones.
KEEP CASH TO A MINIMUM
I like to do a mix of cash and debit card payments.
AVOID GOING TO AN ATM IF YOU CAN
If you have to, make sure to do it at a secure location and not early or late at night.
BLEND IN WITH LOCALS
Try to blend in as much as possible with the locals. Don’t try to show off or give people the impression that you think you are better than them. Stay humble!
ALWAYS LOCK YOUR HOTEL ROOM DOOR
While watching a woman on the news telling what happened to her in a hotel room while on a business trip, I then realized that I have never locked my hotel room in the past. You think that once the door is closed you are safe. No ma’am! You still gotta lock it up! Any stranger can get/stole you key card and get in while you sleep.
Travel to countries that are safe
This is very important especially if you are a woman. I know you heard stories of friends that went to x,y,z and nothing happened to them. However, you still gotta be careful when traveling to certain countries.
I hope these tips will help you to travel safely! If you have any more tips to add to this list, feel free to leave them in the comment section.
