Do you know how to drive a stick shift vehicle? If you are traveling in many parts of the world, a stick shift will probably be what you find in your rental vehicle.
If you rent from the US, check with the car rental company to see what kind of car or van you will be renting and what it has for transmission. Better to know ahead of time than to get surprised at the last minute.
Do you take the time to learn some phrases in the local language when you travel? You should.
Good ones to start with are: Please…Thank You…Yes…No
These few words will go a long ways when traveling.
We all know we should keep our money safe when traveling. Most of us know to keep our money in more than one place.
How do you do that? Do you divide up your cash between you and your traveling partner? Do you put some in your wallet, which is in a pickpocket proof pants pocket, and the rest in your money belt?
Or, do you hide some in a corner of your backpack?
Wherever you put it, make sure it’s safe. And, remember where you stashed it!
US Embassies are located in most countries…probably almost all countries where you will be traveling. We take that for granted and, in most cases, don’t really even think about them.
Do you know where the US Embassy is in the country where you are going? Do you assume they are in most large cities? Do you think they are just for major world wide emergencies?
What if you lose your passport? What if there is a military uprising? What if something happens to you or your travel companions that you don’t know how to handle?
Before you go, it’s a good idea to look at the list of US Embassies and know where the closest one is. It may not be located in the city you are visiting. Having said that, know their phone number, address, and how to get there.
A list of embassies and up-to-date information about countries all over the world can be found at http://www.usembassy.gov/.
When packing, don’t forget to toss in a needle and thread. They don’t take up much room and can be invaluable in an emergency.
Sewing on a button, repairing a tear, or attaching a necklace clasp. If you take a large needle and some dental floss, you can even repair your suitcase.