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Safely Navigating the Challenges of Third World Travel

Hotel Safety
Hotel Safety 965 543 Greg Ellifritz

Generally good advice here. I’m not particularly worried about being bugged, but keeping radio and tv on makes it appear that the room is occupied, thus discouraging petty theft.

I don’t copy the fire escape routes, but I do check the escape routes. They will often be blocked or locked in third world countries.

 

A Hotel Safety Checklist for World Travelers From a Former CIA Operative

Checkpoint Bribery
Checkpoint Bribery 630 418 Greg Ellifritz

While I don’t think this is a good plan in our current policing culture (it will likely get you arrested anywhere you try it in the USA), I have used some of these techniques in foreign countries where I’ve traveled. It’s good to have information like this “just in case.”

 

How to Bribe at Checkpoints – Prepper Negotiation Skills

 

 

Long Haul Flights
Long Haul Flights 645 363 Greg Ellifritz

Good advice for optimum comfort on a long haul flight.  I’ve made several 22+ hour flights to Asia and Africa, along with dozens of 10+ hour flights to South America.

 

My advice to you is to pay for the business class upgrade.  It’s worth the money.

 

How to Make the Best of a Long Haul Flight

 

 

Travel Meds
Travel Meds 150 150 Greg Ellifritz

Although written from a “survival “perspective, this list of medications is ideal for travelers as well.  The list (including his runners up) is pretty much what I carry with me when I travel to remote areas around the world. I also include Augmentin (an antibiotic) that is specifically indicated for animal bite wounds and Doxycycline (another antibiotic) that covers bioweapons, tick borne diseases, and can be pressed into service as an anti-malarial as well.

The only other things missing are an antibiotic for anaerobic infections like giardia and dysentery (metronidazole or tinidiazole) and a muscle relaxer (I carry Flexeril).

But I’m not a doctor so you shouldn’t take this as medical advice. In my personal experience, these drugs have proven to be very useful in remote areas over many years.

 

What meds would you want in your personal SHTF pharmacy?

 

Thoughts on Kidnapping
Thoughts on Kidnapping 500 253 Greg Ellifritz

This guy is a security specialist in Mexico. He has a very good perspective about the violence that occurs in third world countries and how travelers can better protect themselves. Here are some of his thoughts about kidnappings.

https://edpoint.tumblr.com/post/114604883143/its-a-difficult-thing-to-imagine-far-away-from

Most Dangerous Countries for American Tourists
Most Dangerous Countries for American Tourists 700 633 Greg Ellifritz

 

A deep dive into the statistics about total tourist deaths, tourist deaths per capita, and how US government travel warnings don’t often tell the whole story about which countries are “safe” to visit.

 

For what it’s worth, I’ve traveled extensively in 15 of the top 25 countries where American tourists most commonly get killed.  I am obviously still alive.  Most of these countries are no more dangerous than any big city in the USA, some are much safer.  As a tourist, you are far more likely to die in a car crash than be killed by a terrorist or criminal.

 

The most dangerous countries for American tourists, ranked

Comparing Worldwide Murder Rates
Comparing Worldwide Murder Rates 240 161 Greg Ellifritz

You’ll often hear that the United States has the highest rate of gun violence in the “developed world.”  It turns out, how you define “developed” changes the equation.

 

The Mistake of Only Comparing US Murder Rates to “Developed” Countries

 

 

Don’t Use Airport USB Chargers
Don’t Use Airport USB Chargers 790 300 Greg Ellifritz

Don’t plug your phone into any random airport charging stations.  Several of my friends in high places working for three-letter federal agencies overseas have given me the same advice.  In addition to hackers, you also have to worry about your host country’s government spying on you and stealing your data/texts/emails.

 

Government spying via the use of fake charging outlets is incredibly common in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet countries.

 

Why airport USB charging stations are actually dangerous

Weird Russian Guns
Weird Russian Guns 400 324 Greg Ellifritz

 

Curious Russian handguns that have never been imported into the USA.  If you do any travel in Russia or Eastern Europe, it might be a good idea to do some research and see how these things work.

 

Russian Revolvers & Longarms In US:

Healthy Third World Travel
Healthy Third World Travel 1000 667 Greg Ellifritz

 

A longer article about precautions to take when traveling in India.  The recommendations are actually very good for any third world travel destination.  The one suggestion I take issue with is the author’s advice to avoid street foods.  If chosen correctly, I think third world street foods are actually a healthier option than eating in most restaurants.  The street food is usually fresh and cooked right in front of you.  Cooking carts are less likely to be infested with rats or insects than restaurant kitchens.

 

Look for food that is being cooked fresh and isn’t sitting around.  Look for a line of local residents buying the food.  You’ll be fine.

 

How to Stay Healthy While Traveling in India