I was just getting off of an airplane, ready to take my luggage. I am so exciting the moment my foot touch the ground. It’s my first visit to Europe and I’m planning to stay for two weeks, so I thought “it’s going to be an awesome vacation!” The air I breathe felt so good. You know, the feeling of being in the place you never been for the whole life. The hype is still there and I am an ignorant person especially when my emotion takes over my head.

That moment I receive a phone call from one of my neighbors. Instead of asking about how I am doing they called to say that my home has been robbed. As I’m waiting in pain for my luggage on the baggage claim area, I didn’t see it until the last person waiting has gotten his bag. I keep thinking positive; it’s a good thing that I still keep my passport, at least. Then I go to ATM machine to get some money. There I find out my balance has been zeroed. Why on earth such bad luck happens to me? Maybe the next worst thing going to happen to me is a person that would shot me once I step out from the airport gate.

Well, it’s an extreme example of being an ignorant person, especially when we traveling abroad. The hype that I felt when I’m going to travel outside my country has makes me ignoring about the safe way to travel. I forgot the little detail about what to do, and what not to do. As we know, even though it’s a traveling for holiday doesn’t mean we have to lose our sense of security and be overly relaxed. There’s always people out there who wants to have our possessions. I don’t mean that you have to think negative about people. I mean to stay alert as long as you’re out there. I’ve learn my lessons, so here’s some excitement killer and great tips for traveling.

Plan Your Trip, Stay On Track, and Always Be On Time

We know everyone would absolutely plan their trip before they go, but do you always stay on track of what you’re planning? This is very important, on your destination there will be so much distraction like some new attraction or destination that can takes you far away from your plan. So stay on track or made your plan a little bit flexible and put some free time on your plan, you may use this free time to explore that destination what I called ‘distraction’. The most important thing is always be on time, so you never miss the excitement.

The Missing Luggage

No one wants to lose their luggage. Do you know where to put your address when your bag is missing? Everyone would think that you have to put a tag with address on the outside. It’s dangerous because everyone could see it, and one of them would know that your home is empty while you’re going out on vacation. It’s only good if there’s some people stay at your home; otherwise put that address inside the bag. The second important thing is to put special recognition sign on your bag like bright yellow string or catchy sticker, so when you’re waiting for it on the baggage claim area you can spot it right on. This can avoid that guy trying to put his catchy recognition sign on your bag and steal it, if that’s happen you won’t recognize your bag anymore.

Pickpockets and Thieves, They’re everywhere around the Globe

No matter where you go, you have to accept the fact that there are always thieves and pickpockets wait for their chance. You might forget this until you lose one of your belongings: wallet, passport, bag, or laptop. So the best advice is to always keeping your belongings where you can see them or even feel them.

Money Changer

I think I don’t even have to teach you about this, as I already know that we have to stay away from bogus money changer and check the currency rate on trusty website. But the missing tips are to avoid a person who’s offering cheaper currency exchange because it is definitely a scam. Don’t forget to always count your money before you leave the money changer stand.

Stay Away of Skimmer

What I mean is the ATM skimmer that can copy data from your ATM card once you slide your card through that slot. Always be aware of the card slot on the ATM machine. If you see something suspicious just find another ATM and call the authorities.

Bogus Authorities

Beware of bogus driver, taxi driver, bellboy, or even police that can take your belongings and passport only because you trust them. The advice is to know who the real authority is and never ever give your pin numbers, password, or any confidential information to anyone even to real authorities. For example: when your card stuck on the ATM machine and there’s someone offering to help you but you have to give your pin numbers or any confidential information, do not trust them, just call your bank to block the account.

Understand the Area

When you stay on some areas abroad, you have to know the dangerous areas so you won’t get robbed unless you have black belt karate or jiujutsu martial arts. Next thing is to understand local traditions about doing and saying something so you won’t get into trouble. The most important thing is always avoid street gambling because you never know that you’ll never win.

Summary

Now here’s the summary to make it stick on your mind, the cure for the excitement killer:

• Always plan your trip, stay on track of your plan, and always be on time so you won’t miss the excitements.
• Put special recognition sign on your bag so you don’t loose track of your luggage and it is easier to spot on.
• Always keep your belonging where you can see it including your wallet, passport, bags, cell phone and laptop.
• Be aware of ATM skimmer when taking money from ATM machine, if you spot any suspicious object around the card slot just calls the authorities.
• Know the real authorities not bogus police, driver, taxi driver, or bellboy. Never ever give your pin numbers, passwords, and any other confidential information to anyone including the authorities.
• Understand the area where you stay to keep you stay out of trouble. Always avoid street gambling, because you know you’ll never win.

Enjoy your vacation, happy traveling!

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