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Safely Navigating the Challenges of Third World Travel

Passport Photos
Passport Photos 1000 667 Greg Ellifritz

A very cheap option for getting some extra passport photos.

 

I keep a few extra photos taped to the inside back cover of my passport. You never know when you might want to go on an unplanned adventure and will need a photo or two to get your visa at a land border crossing.

 

Passport Photos Are Expensive, But They Don’t Have to Be

Cultural Differences
Cultural Differences 1218 584 Greg Ellifritz

Fluent in Three Months is the best language learning site on the web.

 

Benny makes it a project to move to a different country every few months and learn the language as quickly as possible.

 

He’s listed some interesting cultural customs from each of the countries where he has lived. If you are interested in travel or foreign culture, check this article out.

 

The 23 strangest habits you’ll pick up after living in 23 different countries

Safe Hotel Rooms
Safe Hotel Rooms 634 419 Greg Ellifritz

Bribery in Bangladesh
Bribery in Bangladesh 336 68 Greg Ellifritz

An article that explains the basis for some of the third world police corruption that you’ll see if you travel. Americans get all worked up over this, but I suggest you deal with it like the locals. Try to avoid the cops at all costs. If accosted, give a small bribe.

It’s important to know what the local bribery rate is so you don’t get overcharged as a foreigner. I find this information out by asking my first taxi driver. “Are the police corrupt here?” Inevitably, they will answer “yes.” My next question is “How much money do they ask for if you are stopped?” Taxi drivers know the drill and will give you the information you need.

Most of the time it’s easier just to give up the $5-$20 rather than fight or argue with the cop for hours and risk the chance of getting arrested if he plants some drugs in your car or on your person.

 

How The Police Make Money In Bangladesh (And Most Other Countries)

 

 

Airport Security
Airport Security 113 300 Greg Ellifritz

A look at some of the varied security practices in airports around the world.  Not surprisingly, it concludes that more security doesn’t always keep you safer.

 

Does More Security at Airports Make Us Safer or Just Move the Targets?

 

If you are interested in airport security, you may also want to read Seven Ways to Stay Safe in Airports.

Medical Management of Frostbite
Medical Management of Frostbite 300 42 Greg Ellifritz

If your adventure travels take you to cold places, you’ll want to review this complete guide for treating frostbite in the field.

A New Proposal for Management of Severe Frostbite in the Austere Environment

Travel Theft
Travel Theft 880 643 Greg Ellifritz

A fairly in-depth article about the way that thieves operate in foreign countries.

 

Read it thoroughly.

 

Top 10 types of travel theft (and how to be safe)

Understanding the “Collective Mood”
Understanding the “Collective Mood” 300 139 Greg Ellifritz

I occasionally am asked how I assess the relative safety of the areas I inhabit when I travel to third world countries.

 

Different customs and language change societal norms, but these factors remain relatively constant no matter where you are in the world.

 

Take a look at this article and learn how to assess the baseline.  It will help you make  good decisions.

 

The techniques are recommended by the authors of Left of Bang, an excellent book to check out if you want to learn more about baseline behavior profiling.

 

The Collective Mood and You

 

 

 

Best Beaches Around the World
Best Beaches Around the World 747 1260 Greg Ellifritz

If you like beaches, here’s the article you need to plan your next vacation.

 

I’ve been to five out of the ten.

 

On this list, Copacabana Beach in Rio is my all time favorite.  But I actually like Ipanema beach a little better.  It’s more crowded, but cleaner and safer than Copacabana.

 

Have any of you been to all 10?

 

 

Top 10 beaches in the world

Solo Female Travel
Solo Female Travel 1500 2250 Greg Ellifritz

“It is critical to understand that safety is not the same as comfort. Just because a place is “safe,” doesn’t mean you won’t encounter different cultural norms that make you uncomfortable. It also doesn’t mean that crime doesn’t happen.

 

These ideas often get misconstrued and, while getting out of your comfort zone can be a really good thing, it can also be uncomfortable.

 

Too often, I hear people talk about letting their guard down because they’ve heard a destination is “safe,” and then they are frustrated when they realize that things can still go wrong…especially when they encounter cultural norms much different from their own.

 

The truth of the matter is you can be unsafe anywhere at any time.”

 

Read the article.

 

Why Solo Female Travel Isn’t “Safe”