Traveling around the world is so exciting and adventurous, that everyone should try to do it at some point in his or her lifetime. Experiencing different cultures and learning about the world is both educational and thrilling, but not all travel adventures turn out the way we want. Since a trip can take a turn for the worse, it’s worth it to take a few precautions to ensure your safety and well being.
North Sea: My travel buddy and I sat on top of a mountain and ate lunch while looking out across the North Sea. We were staying in Edinburgh, Scotland.
To keep your money as safe as you can when traveling, a prepaid credit card is the way to go. Since it’s prepaid, it’s easy to get and you won’t have the hassle of getting approved for a regular credit card. You can load small amounts on it so that if it’s stolen, your bank account isn’t wiped out. Like a regular credit card, a prepaid card is great because it can be canceled quickly if it is lost or stolen while abroad-yes, this does happen. Suddenly losing your money when traveling means your travel adventure could come to a screeching halt. Most places around the world will accept this form of payment and it’s much safer to carry a card than it is to carry hundreds of dollars in cash. If you do, you might end up with a target on your back.
Unfortunately, pickpockets are a reality in many countries and they target American tourists. You might think you blend in, but honestly, you don’t. Be aware that an American passport is highly prized by pickpockets and take precautions. Make a copy of your passport and keep it in your luggage in a waterproof bag. One easy way to keep your valuables safe is by using a moneybelt. I carry my money, passport and phone in a moneybelt, so I never have to worry about losing them if my bag “walks off.” They’re inexpensive, easy and they can keep you from having to go through the headache of trying to replace your passport while overseas. You never know when that friendly guy on the street is just being friendly or part of a team trying to distract you enough to pick your pocket. If your passport does get stolen, head to your home country’s nearest embassy and you’ll find yourself on a flight home after a few hours of paperwork.
View from Castle: The next day we toured the beautiful castle in Edinburgh and tried to speak with a guard–he didn’t want to talk too much while on duty!– and I snapped a picture overlooking the city. It was a perfect afternoon.
Sometimes, we’re so used to drinking water right out of the tap, that it can be hard to remember not all countries have safe drinking water. Train yourself to only drink bottled water (while overseas), even using it for brushing your teeth. If you do get sick- from water contamination or food poisoning, at the first sign you might have a problem, do a search on your phone for the nearest pharmacy and when you’re traveling in countries with good and safe food, eat as healthy as possible. Traveling is fun but can be stressful on your body. Eat well when you can so you’re prepared for any of the surprises along the way.
KC Owens has written and submitted this article. KC is a college student who loves traveling, college life, fitness and a good survival kit. He enjoys studying different cultures, meeting new people and leaving his footprint somewhere most people only read about.
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