Here are some "musts" for international travel, from one who has done it for decades - from the student vagabond days, to the ALI days...
1) Safeguard your passport. Get a zipping pouch you can wear around your neck at all times (except in the shower!)
2) Make 2 copies of your passport picture and information pages. Keep one with you, but separate from your passport. Leave one with a family member back home.
3) Take at least two extra passport photos with you.
4) Get travelers checks and keep the numbered receipts separate from the checks themselves....preferably in your passport pouch.
5) Write down the place and date of each travelers check you cash.
6) Be wary of exchange rates. They are best at the airport where you arrive. Count the money carefully before you leave the counter, and be sure the receipt is accurate.
7) Get a money belt (thin material) you can wear around your waist.
8) Don't carry a lot of cash, or at least be sure it is kept safely.
9) Be wary of pickpockets, working alone, in pairs, or in gangs....particularly in big cities like Madrid or Barcelona.
10) Ask about the neighborhoods before you wander around at night. Madrid's night life goes all night; some parts are safe for families with small children even, but others are quite dangerous.
11) Be friendly and make friends, but trust no-one with your belongings, or your safety.
12) Take care of yourself and each other, and have fun!
Do you have enough money to get around? Oh, some more items: Get maps, and be prepared,...check out prices on the internet ahead of time. Take a first aid kit with you, and any medicines you may or will need, a flashlight (small), small folding umbrella, a lock for your suitcase for when you are at your destination....and a list of phone numbers for emergencies. Do you have an international student ID? Get international phone cards at the airport in Spain.
one who has done it for decades - from the student
vagabond days, to the ALI days...
1) Safeguard your passport. Get a zipping pouch you
can wear around your neck at all times (except in the
shower!)
2) Make 2 copies of your passport picture and
information pages. Keep one with you, but separate
from your passport. Leave one with a family member
back home.
3) Take at least two extra passport photos with you.
4) Get travelers checks and keep the numbered receipts
separate from the checks themselves....preferably in
your passport pouch.
5) Write down the place and date of each travelers
check you cash.
6) Be wary of exchange rates. They are best at the
airport where you arrive. Count the money carefully
before you leave the counter, and be sure the receipt
is accurate.
7) Get a money belt (thin material) you can wear
around your waist.
8) Don't carry a lot of cash, or at least be sure it
is kept safely.
9) Be wary of pickpockets, working alone, in pairs,
or in gangs....particularly in big cities like Madrid
or Barcelona.
10) Ask about the neighborhoods before you wander
around at night. Madrid's night life goes all night;
some parts are safe for families with small children
even, but others are quite dangerous.
11) Be friendly and make friends, but trust no-one
with your belongings, or your safety.
12) Take care of yourself and each other, and have
fun!
Do you have enough money to get around? Oh, some more
items:
Get maps, and be prepared,...check out prices on the
internet ahead of time. Take a first aid kit with
you, and any medicines you may or will need, a
flashlight (small), small folding umbrella, a lock for
your suitcase for when you are at your
destination....and a list of phone numbers for
emergencies. Do you have an international student ID?
Get international phone cards at the airport in
Spain.
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