Most overseas travel is safe, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some things to look out for, like pickpockets.
A FEW MORE thoughts on traveling light – what to take and what not to take – and being safe.
In addition to my thoughts, you might want to check out Rick Steves’ video on packing light.
In addition to clothing, I pack three or four pouches.
One pouch is toilet items – razor, shave cream, deodorant, after-shave, booth brush, tooth paste etc. (See Photo). I do not use a large pouch. Small pouches can nestle along the edges of your carry-on or in between layers.
Another pouch I mentioned yesterday – it’s stuff I need on the plane. That includes ear plugs, sleep mask, aspirin, antacids, a charger cord, headphones. That goes in my day bag.
I have a pouch for meds. I take three Rx medicines. At home I have those and my vitamins in a pill box, but I don’t take the box. Some countries require you to have Rx meds in the original bottle as proof of what they area. For my September trip, Italy does not require that but Greece does.
I have a bag for all the cords, plugs I will need for the iPad, Apple Watch, phone.
I have a bag for assorted items. Even though I have an iPad, watch and iPhone, I take a small old-fashioned battery-powered alarm clock. I take at least two plug adapters for European outlets. I have my laundry sheets in this pouch along with my clothesline.
Why so many small pouches? I’ve found that a big dop kit ends up being cumbersome and messes up weight distribution. I can put the smaller pouches around the edges, between layers. That does allow me to distribute weight.
I toss in a compact rain poncho and very small umbrella. (See photo). Also in this photo is my belt-loop money pouch. Run your belt through it and put it between your pants and body. You can also use a traditional money belt. Europe is safe but pickpockets abound. More on that later.
I also take a small re-chargeable fan. Global warming has impacted Europe and September in Italy and Greece can include summer-like temperatures. Not all hotels have air conditioning and often those that do (particularly older ones that have had to jury-rig or adapt units to old buildings) have very weak air. So, my little fan at least creates a bit of a breeze and it doesn’t take up much space.
I carry an inflatable, soft cover neck pillow for the plane. I stress “inflatable” because when you deflate it, it doesn’t make a dent in your luggage space. I keep it in my day bag as opposed to my backpack suitcase since I use it on the plane. (See photo)
TALKING OF THE inflatable pillow, here are a few things to think about on the plane.
- Do allow a couple of hours at the airport, particularly overseas. If you aren’t checking bags you save time, but keep in mind that overseas your TSA pre-check and other time-savers don’t apply.
- Airplane food is very high in salt and sugars. You may want to consider pre-ordering meals. Diabetic meals are a good choice for avoiding sugars and salt.
- Tempting as it is on international flights, avoid the free booze. You want to try to get as much good sleep or napping in as possible. Drinking on flights can really mess up your first day at your destination. Trust me on this. Experience talking…
- Hydrate. Airplane air is thin. Drink plenty of water.
- Get up and move on long flights, particularly if you are older. Walk the aisles, do some squats every couple of hours. I also wear compression socks on long flights.
Now, a word about security. Europe is safe. European cities are like cities in the States. All of them have dangerous parts. Stay out of those parts. Guidebooks and on-line searches will tell you what to avoid. But, let’s assume you are on a tour or, if on your own you know exactly where you are going to go.
I never carry my passport or driver’s license on the street. My backpack luggage has a little hide-away pouch in it. I put my passport and DL in there, along with one of the two credit cards I carry and cash I won’t need. Those stay in the suitcase pouch with clothing on top of them. Could I still get something stolen in my hotel room? Sure, but statistically it’s not worth worrying about. Just use common sense and don’t leave stuff out on display.
What I do carry with me are copies of my primary passport primary page and my DL. I carry one of my two credit cards and maybe $150 in case. You can find yourself in small shops and cafes that, believe it or not, do not take credit cards. Tipping is not expected in most European restaurants and bars, where employees are paid a living wage, but if you had a great experience and want to leave a tip, do it in cash or coin.
I put the cash, cards and my ID copies in my belt-money pack. I don’t carry anything of value in my pockets. If you do have anything of value in your pockets wear pants with deep pockets. If pockets have buttons, button them.
Pickpockets work on distraction and often in pairs. One common trick is for someone to bump into you. They are counting on you being aware of pickpockets so when you get jostled, what’s the first thing you instinctively do? Right. You reach for the pocket where you have your valuables and check to see if they are still there. The second member of the team is watching you and you just confirmed where your goodies are and they move in.
They also will stage fights or incidents to draw you attention away from your person.
So, don’t carry more than you need; carry what you need in some kind of money belt; if you carry a small bag or purse, have it around your neck and in front of you, not behind you; if you have a bag and stop for lunch or a drink, don’t hang it on the chair. Put it between your feet. Phones are targets. I keep mine in my hand or in my bag.
Here is something you should always do when you go overseas. Enroll in the U.S. State Department’s Smart Traveler program. When you are about to depart, put in your itinerary. This will allow State to send you updates about any conditions in the areas you are going to. It also lets State know where people are in the event of a natural disaster or civil unrest. It’s not a bad idea to write down locations and contact info for U.S. embassies and consulates in the event you lose a passport or need other in-person help.
Click here for a link with some more useful thoughts about security.
LAST TOPIC. Given all that’s going on with our country, are Americans still welcome abroad? The short answer is “yes.” Other countries want our business. Most people in these countries know most Americans are not part of the problem back home. Europeans have their own issues with their governments so they realize we do, too. (I say “Europeans”, but these tips apply to Asia, Central and South America, most anywhere you go).
I had to travel a lot overseas after 9/11. There were concerns about Americans being targets of terrorists. I wasn’t overly worried about that, but I studied men’s dress in countries I was going to and got clothing that made me fit in. I didn’t wear American-branded clothing. Of course, as soon as I opened my mouth anyone within earshot knew I was an American, but I didn’t force it.
That ties in with my view on what travel is, at least for me. Whether it’s a business or pleasure trip, I go to other countries to learn. I want to see how people live and work and I want to experience their cultures.
For that reason, my best advice to travelers is to leave home at home. Don’t make comparisons. If your hotel room is small and there isn’t a TV, don’t pout and complain. That’s just how it is. When things go wrong, don’t start thinking “well in the States, we’d…..” You are not in the States.
I once was working with a group in Amsterdam and one night over drinks they were dissing a lot of the people from the States they had worked with. At one point one of them said “Oh Rich, we aren’t talking about you. You aren’t like that.” I asked them what I was like and he one guy said “You just fit in. You don’t tell us how you do everything in the States.” I guess you could say I was acting like a guest in their home and showing respect.
I keep that conversation in mind when I travel. I expect “different.” Sometimes that “different” can be frustrating but most often it is fascinating and I come away with learnings.
So, that’s my look at traveling light, both in mind and luggage. Hope it’s useful to you.
`Rich Heiland is a retired journalist and semi-retired consultant, trainer and public speaker. During his journalism career he was a reporter, editor, publisher, college instructor, part of a Pulitzer Prize-winning team and a National Newspaper Association Columnist of the Year honoree. He lives in West Chester, PA and can be reached at [email protected].