Wanderlust plagues the whole of The Three Adventurers, and as we embark on the spring travel adventures, I thought it was a good idea to refresh our international travel habits. Our mini me is headed to the south of France with his lady love, and this’ll be his first international trip without us (mom and dad).
I stand by my advice from the Travel Tips posted in 2017:
- always pack an adventure bag;
- pack a snack;
- carry a variety of ziplock baggies;
- carry an empty water bottle and carabiner clip;
- be nice to the travel pros;
- take your passport;
- get your Global Entry; and
- enroll in the State Department’s STEP program.
But this is a new era and the world is a different place post-COVID, so it’s time to add some new stuff.
- Enroll in CLEAR. It’s an annual membership that gives you expedited entry without waiting in line to show your ID at airport security. When we’re traveling through airports with CLEAR, we step up, get confirmation with an eye and hand scan, and are then escorted through the Global Entry line.
- Stay together when you’re adventuring. When we were in Lyon in 2019, my husband and I were walking through some lovely ruins outside of Joan of Arc’s church, and I stopped to get a photo of a low section of wall while Mr. Sickles turned the corner. As the crow flies, we were 10 feet apart, but we were separated by a wall. I was wearing my red French beret and felt something hit the top of it. A woman comes running over yelling a making a fuss about some bird shitting on my head. She started patting my hat and shoulders with a baby wipe and then her husband ran out from the side turning me by the shoulders and making an equal fuss, seemingly trying to adjust me so his wife could clean me off. All the while I’m yelling for my husband and trying to step out of their reach. The whole thing took maybe 90 seconds. As soon as my husband came into view the people made friendly waving gestures and left. It was noisy and confusing for that 90 seconds, and their abrupt absence was as shocking as a blow to the head. Then I realized the man had reached into my purse and took a credit card. That sneaky motherfucker. I’d say this was maybe 4 minutes in, so I logged into the credit card app on my phone and locked the card immediately, and called the card company. Sure enough, somebody had tried to purchase over $500 in shoes from an online retailer, but we nipped them in the bud. The charge, along with the card number, were cancelled and a new card was waiting for me when we got home. But it was such a violation … I hate strangers to touch me and the people were so organized and efficient. So, stay together, within eye sight. If I can’t see you, then you can’t see me – and grifters know it.
- Buy an adventuring bag that is theft-proof, cut-proof, locks, and fits close to your body. I have a low-profile Travelon purse that fits across the shoulders and rests on my hip that locks and even fits inside raincoats and jackets. There are fanny packs and smaller backpacks that can be worn on your chest so people can’t come up behind you.
- Do not put your phone, wallet, passport, or anything else important in your pockets. Men, especially, get a pack you can wear on your chest. Be smart. Go home with the same important personal items that you arrived with.
- Learn some local phrases. You don’t have to necessarily speak the language of your destination, but making an effort goes a long way. I speak Spanish, my husband speaks French, and as an Army brat I lived in Germany until I was almost five, so for much of Europe we can struggle through conversations. But I’m a dairy- and lactose-free pescatarian, as is my husband (who also has MMA), so it’s crucial that we order food with no meet or dairy. I can order food in a dozen countries with the phrase “no dairy or cream” (‘Sinza formaggia;’ ‘sin queso;’ ‘pas de fromage).’ You want to be able to ask for help (“ayudame, por favor”). You need to know where the exit is (“où est la sortie”). You should be able to greet and depart respectfully (‘hola, Como esta’).
- Follow the local laws and customs. When you’re traveling internationally, you’re not in America anymore. No shit, right, but you’d be surprised how many arrogant Americans we encounter around the world who forget where they are. You’re a guest in whatever country you’re traveling in, so be respectful and follow the local laws.
- Carry an international power adapter. You never know what hotels, hostels, or airbnbs will have converters for your tech. Assume they won’t have any and be prepared.
- Pack extra face masks, hand sanitizer, sanitizing wipes, and even latex gloves. Not every country, small town, and community you go to practices the same level of hygiene as you’re used to. COVID isn’t the only thing you don’t want to pick up. If you have to get on a metro and it’s sketchy, you might want gloves to keep your hands clean. What used to make me look like a crazy Monk-like person now makes me the cleanest bitch on the block. Take no crap if you have to sanitize, people.
- Enroll in STEP. I said it in 2017 and I’m reiterating it double now: if the shit hits the fan and war breaks out, earthquakes or volcanoes happen, or terrorists take the city, the US State Department needs to know you’re nearby. These things have happened in this calendar year already, so stay present in your adventuring.
- Be attentive to your surroundings. The US Embassy & Consulates in France issued an alert saying that French authorities have elevated its National Security Alert System to the highest level following the terrorist attack in Moscow. As Americans that may seem you’re a world away, but if you’re traveling in France right now, it’s like the distance from X to X. The alert warns about most likely targets being high tourist areas, places of worship, and places large crowds gather. Keep your head up, make eye contact with everyone, be smart and savvy. Keep up with the news, at least in passing, so you know what’s going on. Have backup travel plans. Don’t be a dumb hayseed stepping off the bus when potential harm is waiting around the corner. You can’t be afraid, but you can be engaged.
- Keep your passport with you at all times. Likewise, travel with a small portable charger for your mobile phone. If something happens and you need to flee, ON YOUR BODY you need your wallet, passport and phone. Leave everything else behind because it’s just stuff. You need identification and communication in order to get back home.
Life is too short to stay at home. It’s also too short to be afraid. Traveling is such a wonderful way to see the world, learn about other cultures, meet new people, expand your horizons, and experience life outside of your norm … but you need to do it smartly. Plan ahead and have fun.
The Three Adventurers 