MZANZI TRAVEL - ISSUE 2

TRAVEL SAFETY
10 TIPS YOU CAN’T AFFORD TO IGNORE
TRAVEL SAFETY TIP# 1: DON’T LET THEM
DISTRACT YOU
If anyone ever comes up to you begging or holding out a piece of
paper/cardboard or something else in front of them, push it away
immediately and secure your belongings. This is just a distraction so
their nifty fingers can get at your valuables.
TRAVEL SAFETY TIP# 2: SECURE YOUR
LUGGAGE
When everything you own is carried around with you, it’s of paramount
importance to keep them safe and sound. Even if it’s not worth much,
it’s all you’ve got on your nomadic wanderings and what seems of little
value to you, may be exceptionally tempting and valuable to people in
the cities you visit. Keeping your luggage safe means securing it in any
way possible, preferably with a padlock, to prevent and deter anyone
from tampering with or stealing your luggage.
TRAVEL SAFETY TIP# 3: SECURE YOUR
LAPTOP/CAMERA/ IPAD
Consider the type of bag you carry your laptop/camera or iPad in –
whilst a fancy Tumi laptop case might set you apart from the commuters
in inner city areas, it’s almost as good as carrying a sign above your
head forecasting your “rob-ability”. Try getting a laptop backpack that
looks more like an adventure backpack.
TRAVEL SAFETY TIP# 4: SECURE YOUR CASH &
CREDIT CARDS
You may or may not be a fan of those travel wallets that strap to various
parts of your body. Whether you use one or not may depend upon
where you’re going and whether you need to carry huge wads of cash
about with you. If you do use one, it’s best to use the more authentic
“belts“over the leg, waist or shoulder-type pouches – unless, as a
woman, it doesn’t go with your outfit!
Keep a note of your credit card numbers and the telephone numbers
needed to cancel them (but not the security number and/or expiration
date). Whilst some people advise making photocopies of the front
& back of your card, if these get mislaid or stolen, the thief can use
the details to order online. You can keep a soft copy of your cards,
password-protected on your laptop or phone if you must.
TRAVEL SAFETY TIP# 5: STAY ALERT
If you’re new to a city and haven’t quite got the measure of the different
neighbourhoods, then keep your wits about you as you’re walking
around. You can usually tell whether you’ve unwittingly wandered into
a different area by the type of people walking around, the state of the
buildings and shop fronts on the streets.
If you don’t notice any other tourists and you do see more threatening
looking people around, then walk confidently in the direction you came
(unless you know a quicker way out already) without getting your map
out and head back to a safer, more touristy/populated area.
TRAVEL SAFETY TIP# 6: BLEND IN – OR AT
LEAST TRY NOT TO STAND OUT
If you are trying to blend in with locals – or at least stand out less –
then on your first day in a place, notice how the locals dress and dress
accordingly.
TRAVEL SAFETY TIP# 7: AVOID PUBLIC
DEMONSTRATIONS AND MARCHES
As exciting as it may seem to join a public march or demonstration,
if you’re in unfamiliar territory and a foreign land, then it’s best to
avoid these. Whilst peaceful demonstrations may be the norm in
your country, you don’t know that this will be the case in a foreign
country and your visa may also be at risk if you are caught taking part in
political demonstrations. It’s just not worth the risk for that little bit of
excitement and camaraderie you might experience at the time.
TRAVEL SAFETY TIP# 8: AVOID
BROADCASTING YOUR LACK OF LOCAL
KNOWLEDGE
Unless you’re in a touristy area where everyone else is doing the same!
The same goes for standing in the middle of the road and pointing
vigorously to specific points of interest in the distance – another dead
giveaway that you’re less than a local.
TRAVEL SAFETY TIP# 9: ALWAYS KNOW YOUR
ESCAPE ROUTE
As you’re walking around unfamiliar areas, especially in the dark, take
note of specific landmarks, buildings and amenities. If you ever feel
threatened, it’s useful to know a ‘friendly’ place you can duck into (the
nearest shop, bar, cafe or restaurant) as soon as you can to either call
for help or wait until the threat has passed.
TRAVEL SAFETY TIP# 10: LEAVE YOUR
VALUABLES AT ‘HOME’
Depending upon where you are, you may want to consider always
leaving your laptop, jewellery, watches or other expensive items at
home rather than carting them around with you. Whilst some people
have had bad experiences of laptops and valuables being stolen while
left in a room/apartment, being robbed of an item directly from your
person can be a far more unpleasant experience. Plus, you’re increasing
the chance of something else happening (like dropping it or losing it)
while you’re out and about.
The most effective advice is this…if you ever *feel* threatened, but
you’re not quite sure why, then follow your instincts and get out of
the situation you’re in as quickly as possible. We have instincts for a
reason…trust them.
78 |ISSUE 2|www.mzanzitravel.co.za | MZANZI TRAVEL