How to prepare to travel?
SECURITY is the first and most concerned issue. I always do a little google search about the country, city which i will go. Then, i am checking the location of dangerous districts to the safe ones on the map. Visual memory has an importance role now. You should try to remember the main lines of the city, so you will have an idea where you are walking to. If you asked why this is so important, your web tariff can be limited,your charges, batteries and phone can be break, your phone can be stolen, your map can get wet… Proven by experience. Therefore, take your B Vit pills,do crosswords, puzzles… let your memory improve 🙂
How should you keep your valuables safe?
Keep your valuable things like your cash, credit cards and phone… in your inner pockets not your backpack’s outer pocket. Give up the small longitudinal bags or fanny pack/belt bag. You will not want to take your money out of these on the bus, metro or buying water in the supermarket. I am taking hard copys or pics of my valuable documents like passport, identity… on my phone. However, it is important in which country you are. It is enough to keep only your passport soft copy with you for most of European countries but, if you are in an Eastern Europe country, a polis control can hurt your feelings 🙂 Thus it is better to keep the originals with you in these kind of countries.
Important phone numbers & locations
Learn the police number and the contact information of your consulate. So not forget your hotel’s and car’s location if you hired one, use maps.google timeline.
Dark streets
Do not prefer to walk through dark & isolated streets but do not scary of darkness. In fact, most of the good places are in that kind of dark & small streets. So, you should definetly meet, chat and become a friend with the locals. I am sure they will invite you to somewhere or they will suggect you some good places.
Emergency: Trust, Luck and Instincts
Trust people,your luck and instincts. (most to your instincts) I need help many times and I all survive with the local people’s support. Most of the nations are more helpfull than we think. As a matter of fact,i experienced that it is parallel with the country’s economic and civilization level and helpfulness. The key is how you behave to the people. Rule 1: Smile and say hello. Smart ha? Rule 2: You should first introduce yourself, explain what happened and what you need and ask for help, if you are in one of a Nordic countries. But if you are in a Mediterranean country, you can talk about your childhood and even also your future dreams… Every chitchat is OK.
Checklist
- Google search about city
- Keep in mind the city map
- Keep you valuables close to your body
- Do not walk around like a goofy but also dont act like a paranoid
- Keep the soft copy’s of valueable documents with you, left the originals lock in the hotel
- Learn important numbers (police, consulate)
- Trust your instincts
