Missionary Trip Preparation #4
International Travel Reminders
Guard Your Passport - Your passport is the most valuable document you carry abroad. It confirms that you are an American citizen. Do not carry your passport in the same place as your money or pack it in your luggage. I suggest carrying it in your front pants pocket – so it cannot be easily stolen. If you think you have lost your passport – notify Pastor Jim immediately.
Do not give money to anyone in airports – People may approach you in the airports and ask you to help them. They will have very convincing stories – but many of them earn their living this way. This is their profession. Do not talk to them – keep walking or walk away.
When traveling on Foot - If you will be moving around a city or airport on foot, these "Do's" and "Don'ts" can help you:
- When making purchases, avoid displaying large amounts of cash or a number of credit cards.
- Carry your wallet in your front trouser pocket or your handbag in front of you, with the clasp towards the body.
- Always let someone in the group know where you are going and never go by yourself unless it is an absolute necessity. If, by chance, you find yourself in an area you feel worried about, look straight ahead, walk quickly but not hurriedly and try to appear as if you know where you are going.
- Do not take photographs of military personnel or installations unless you are absolutely sure it is allowed.
- Never exchange currency with persons who approach you on the street.
- Be careful about traveling in elevators. If you are in doubt, don't. If you are already in an elevator and someone suspicious gets in, get out right away.
- If you are jostled, almost knocked over by a car which stops suddenly in front of you when crossing the road, or surrounded by a group of children begging, you should assume that you are being distracted to facilitate picking your pocket, stealing your handbag or taking your watch. If you react instinctively if this happens, you might avoid losing your belongings. Pickpockets can be very quick.
