Travel Tips by Sharon Wingler

Safety Tips

February 29 2008

Solo Travel Safety Tips If you have never before traveled alone, it is natural to feel rather daunted. We each go through life trying not to be afraid, comfortable within our envelope of security. The idea is to stretch that envelope. Keep stretching it until there is no envelope at all, and nothing separates you from your world. To travel fearlessly, we obviously must avoid danger. Life involves risk whether you travel or stay at home, but there are ways to minimize a travelers risk standard precautions we should all take.

Call the US Department of State, 202-647-5225, (fax: 202-647-3000; web site: www.travel.state.gov) to make sure the country youre planning to visit is relatively safe. Avoid places with terrorist activity or violent street crime directed toward tourists. Dont look like an obvious tourist. Dress conservatively and a bit more formally (think "business casual") than you would at home. Avoid expensive or designer clothing, luggage and jewelry. Make a tentative itinerary and leave a copy with a relative or friend. Phone them periodically with updates.

Be discerning about whom you tell youre American, and do not advertise your nationality with lapel pins or flag imprinted clothes. Be selective about whom you tell youre alone. Normally, you can trust people with this information but, when in doubt, say youre with friends or a tour group. When you register for a hotel room, do not let the desk clerk announce your room number within earshot of strangers. If they do, ask for another room and explain why. Be careful about giving the name of your hotel to strangers. When you meet someone youd like to see again, arrange another place to meet.

Before you go out with a "new friend", get some information about them - preferably a business card and home phone number. Leave this information with a member of your tour, a member of the hotel staff, or just leave it in your room. Your instincts will tell you if this person is "safe" but I like to leave evidence in case my instincts fail me. Ask your hotel staff to mark your map with the location of your hotel and any areas you should avoid. Ask if its safe to use public transportation after dark.

When you are out and about, be alert, not fearful, and not caught up in daydreams. Be aware of your surroundings and the people around you. After dark, try to walk on well-lit streets with other people around. If you find yourself in a questionable area, duck into a public place to check your map or call for a taxi. Despite all the safety tips, I assure you the world is a safe place. Traveling alone will restore your faith in humanity. Wherever you go, guides and helpers will be there when you need them. Wander, and know that you have friends all over the planet. You just havent met them yet.