Preparing & Organizing for Your Trip
The first step is to make sure that your passport and visas are current, making absolutely sure that you have the
right documents for the country you are planning to visit. Visit the Consular Affairs
online to keep abreast of current situations in any given country. As a security measure, leave a copy of your documents
with friends or relatives as well as a copy of your itinerary and the numbers on your traveller's checks.
Check to see if your health insurance coverage will cover any medical exams or treatments abroad. This is
particularly important if you go overseas to a country where you run the risk of getting sick from either the water, food or even
insects. If you're currently under any medication, have enough to last you through your trip. Make sure that
your medications are with their labels since you will arouse suspicions, particularly in countries that have strict narcotics trafficking laws.
If you have concerns about medical issues, this document is insightful.
Travel light, if possible because this will allow you to get less tired from lugging your baggage around. If you have
valuables, carry as little of it as possible. For a good packing list, click
here. If you need to, put any valuables in a pouch or money belt under your clothing. Handbags, fanny pack or backpacks
can be easily targeted by thieves because of their outer zippers. Take out unnecessary credit cards, grocery and other store cards, libary
cards and the like, just for the duration of your trip. When selecting a suitcase, try not to carry an expensive one as it will draw
more attention to itself and be more apt to get stolen. Tag your luggage, but use plain generic tags (e.g. from the airline).
Avoid carry cash when travelling, and bring traveller's checks instead. You don't want to be the forelorn traveler in
those commercials! Take a couple of credit cards just in case you run into places that don't take them. Become familiar with
the exchange rates and check in advance how much you'll need to budget for your trip.
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