Tips for traveling in "Dangerous" Places

Tips for traveling in "Dangerous" Places -

When I prepared for a trip to Colombia, many people have quickly greet the news of my recent travels with a well meant, "be careful, it is dangerous!"

But is there really no more dangerous than anywhere else I have traveled or lived?

Our perception of what seem to make a place be dangerous interested by many molded factors-the hyper-dramatic media more quickly and juicy story than sticking around always the complicated dynamics of a place to find out; Government agencies to drive their own political and economic agendas; and rumors that have taken on a life of its own. These are dubious sources of useful information for the traveler to leave for a place always ready that should be the golden rule of never mind travelers a high risk factor than having to.

is perceived While common sense, where he or she wanders, there are a few other tips that you can take when planning to "dangerous" places to travel.

Before the journey

10th Check your facts ... and your fears. Sit down and make a quick inventory. What have you heard about the country you'll be visiting? What do you know about the country? Where you have this information? How accurate and reliable is the source? How to define the risk? If risk is calculated in terms of actual, measurable risk?

For example, although Puerto Rico is not perceived as dangerous tourist destination, I lived there learned that it was the country of the world, the fifth most violent after 2.5 years and during this time (per capita) due to the speed of gun deaths. While most of the deaths occur among people who today, bystanders know been hurt ... so often in fact that the Puerto Rico Police Department, an annual campaign to combat the stray bullets of people firing guns in the air to welcome the new year. This is a type of risk that can be justified and avoided.

9. Read instructions and warnings to travel and she. Into perspective By all means, on the website of the State Department and the travel warnings check if you need to. But then read more about the country and learn about aspects of their past and present who do not encounter in warnings or messages. Check out blogs, travel forums, local newspapers and magazines and books will on the country you wrote about. Often the locals have a very different and valuable perspective of themselves as outsiders. For my upcoming trip to Colombia, for example, I found a great web portal that me to dozens of blogs on everything from the popular music of the moment to youth political movements.

During your trip introduced

8. Check out the locals. do the old saying as the Romans took as long as it has because it works. See people in the street wearing flashy jewelry? No? Then do not wear flashy jewelry!

7. Let people know your plans. This may sound a little fatalistic or say to type A for some people but familiar people, what are your plans to help you get tracked when something terrible happens to you. For example, when traveling alone, I send my husband or my mother an email to say what are my plans for the day. It is always a simple message. Here is yesterday I sent: "Hello Under the subway to see the Lagunilla market today and then at 4:00 the bulls in the Plaza Mexico Be at home at 20.00; then talk!.!"

6. Keep an emergency contact card in your pocket, purse or bag. your passport and driver's license of little use for helping people know who, if you have to contact an emergency. Here is what I keep on my person... "My name is Julie Schwietert Collazo My blood type is O + I have no known allergies, take any medications, and have no diseases In case of emergency, please call my husband, Francisco Collazo, at 001-123-456-780 "Two important notes: (1). Be sure to set the country code for your emergency contact in the phone number. The United States is not the center of the universe. (2) Be. The map in English and in the language of the country in which you will be traveling Update the map as needed. I can not stress enough this tip; a friend passed out recently on the subway in Mexico City, and this type of card helped her see a doctor immediately.

5. Use authorized taxi service. If there is a tip I am prone to ignore, then this is it, because it calls for the I. A taxi service in advance But it is worthwhile to do. If you are going to travel in a city or country for a longer period, keep some transport contact information in your wallet and call for the authorized and stick out your hand for ad hoc service. This is true both in New York as it does outside the US

4. Drink in moderation. Really. This is a tip I never hurt. Even if you have a high tolerance for alcohol, people under the influence are targets for criminals anywhere in the world. Also, if you drink excessively, your judgment and ability to make decisions is severely impaired. Be sensible in the use of alcohol.

After your trip

3. Spread the word. They came back alive !! Tell about your trip people. When asked: "Was it dangerous?" Answer honestly based on your own experiences. A good way to begin to deny the image of certain countries to share dangerous our travels there through blogs or slideshows. Start speaking out against stereotypes of people and places that deserve a closer look.

2. Keep learning more. You have just an amazing experience in a country or a culture that holds most of the world dangerous, but it is likely that you have only scratched the surface of it to learn about this place. Keep connected with the country on blogs and newspapers, as you did before the trip. Sign up for an RSS feed for Web sites that you find particularly interesting.

1. Hold down the road. The world is a big, beautiful place. Get out there and experience it. And come back and tell us about it. The world has not so many dangerous places as you might think.

Julie Schwietert Collazo is the editor of Matador Pulse and regularly for the Matador Community. She runs her own website, Collazo projects they updated daily. She calls Mexico City and New York home, but soon a hostel in Colombia are running

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