Choose Adventure

Safely Navigating the Challenges of Third World Travel

Street Food
Street Food 720 960 Greg Ellifritz

I make it a point to eat street food as often as possible whenever I travel in third world countries. Having just returned from a month in Mexico, I can assure you that I took advantage of the nearby food carts and taco trucks for lunches and dinners several times a week.

 

Contrary to popular belief, street food is usually fresher and prepared in a more sanitary manner than the food you will find in the tourist restaurants. Read the article for some tips and then go get some street meat!

 

How to Eat Street Food Without Getting Sick

 

How can you pass up a Belgian fry truck in Playa del Carmen?

 

I had to draw the line at the dude selling sushi out of a cooler from his ATV on the street. Not quite that adventurous.

 

 

Travel Log- Antarctica and Chile
Travel Log- Antarctica and Chile 940 705 Greg Ellifritz

*My Travel Log series describes various past travel adventures and provides perspective about living and traveling in different countries.  This particular segment covers a trip to Chile and Antarctica in December of 2017.

 

Written by: Greg Ellifritz

 

I returned last week from an epic two-week trip to Antarctica (via Chile).  Why Antarctica?  Because it was on our continent bucket list.  Both Lauren and I have been to all of the other continents in the world.  Antarctica was the last one.  So we went.

 

The trip started with an 11-hour flight to Santiago.  I booked an extra day on either end of the trip in the event of a scheduling problem, so we had a couple of days to explore the city.  I had previously been to Santiago about 10 years ago.  I didn’t care for it at all.  It was cloudy, smog filled, and I didn’t find the people to be very friendly.

 

This trip was completely different.  I loved the city.  I think part of the reason I hated Santiago 10 years ago was that I went in the winter time.  It’s a completely different city in the summer (like now).  Weather was clear and 85-90 degrees with low humidity.  It was a nice antidote to our cold Ohio winter.

 

The people in Santiago are quite different from what you would see in the rest of South America.  Chileans are a bit wealthier and better educated than some of their Andean counterparts.  They are also far less traditional.  The women regularly wore short shorts, bare midriff and see through shirts, and funky styles.  I saw more skin on display than any other South American city besides Rio.  Both men and women sported lots of tattoos and all kinds of crazy dyed and shaved hairstyles.  The general style trends seemed to hearken back to the early 1980s punk rock scene in America and Europe.  It was a big departure from normally conservative South America.

 

Santiago from the tallest building in Latin America

 

We spent time in Santiago walking the city, eating tons of good food, and hanging out in their amazing city parks.  Unlike parks in America, Chilean parks allow alcohol, grilling food, music, and unleashed dogs.  People would actually go to the parks and relax because it was a fun atmosphere.  Chileans would revolt at the idea of an American park that banned alcohol, cooking food, and loud music.  What fun is that?  We Americans can learn a lot from our southern neighbors.

 

Tuna Tartar with avocado for Lauren and Blood sausage with pesto and goat cheese for me- Santiago

 

We also went on a walking tour of the coastal city of Valparaiso about an hour drive away from Santiago.  It was a colorful city filled with painted murals on all the neighborhood buildings.

 

Valparaiso, Chile

 

Valparaiso mural

 

Valparaiso

 

After a couple days in Santiago, we flew three hours south to the southern tip of the continent and spent a day in Punta Arenas while waiting for a flight to Antarctica.  Punta Arenas was a small coastal town and seemed to be far more relaxed than frantic Santiago.

 

We wandered around the town and ate at some great restaurants there.  Interestingly, the town of Punta Arenas had concrete vehicle barriers protecting all of their sidewalks and parks from vehicles.  Take a look at the photo below.  Those vehicle barriers were present in every single part of the town with high pedestrian traffic.

 

I find it intriguing that a sleepy little town on the southern tip of South America has solved the issue of terrorist vehicle attacks while we still fumble to protect our own citizens.

No vehicle run-down attacks in Punta Arenas

 

As for self protection and gun issues in Chile, there were none.  In our five days in Chile we did not see a single uniformed cop.  Not even in the airport!  I have no idea what equipment the Chilean cops use and we didn’t talk to any gun owners down there.  There was a stunning lack of violence or drama in the country.  Drivers didn’t even honk their horns.  It was all quite civilized and very different from most of the rest of the continent.

 

From Punta Arenas, we took a two hour flight to a Chilean Naval Base with a gravel runway on the Antarctic King George Island.  From there we boarded a 100-passenger cruise ship and boated around the Antarctic peninsula, stopping a couple times a day for land excursions.

 

We did lots of hiking, tried stand up paddling (with dry suits), and had extensive opportunities to check out the wildlife.  We saw thousands of penguins, three different types of seals, and three different types of whales.

 

I wasn’t quite prepared for the penguins.  The penguin colonies were literally covered in pink penguin poop.  Inches of it on every horizontal surface.  We had to walk through rivers of the stuff.  Most of the islands smelled like a chicken coop.  Not quite what I was expecting to see.

 

Penguins and their stinky pink and green poop

 

mmm…more penguin poop

 

Besides the nature, we visited the Antarctic museum and a couple wildlife viewing stations.  During the five days we were there, we visited territory claimed by Chile, Argentina, Russia, and England.

 

On the Russian Naval Station at King George Island

On British territory in the South Shetlands

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A lot of people asked me about carrying weapons in Antarctica.  I traveled light this trip.  The cruise ship forbade weapons of any type.  Interestingly, the entire continent of Antarctica is a gun free territory.  Firearms and shooting of any type is expressly forbidden as it is a wildlife refuge.  Killing animals or frightening them with loud noises is against the international treaty governing the territory.

 

The only weapon I carried was a Spyderco Ark neck knife.  It was small enough to be considered a tool and is made of the same salt water resistant steel as my favorite Salt folding knives.  With the constant environmental exposure, I wanted a blade that wouldn’t rust.  It’s not huge, but is fast to access and would do a fine job if I had to stab something.  In reality, why would I need a weapon?  It’s not like I was going to get jacked by a penguin.  Thankfully, I never had to deploy the blade and had no hazardous encounters with either people or marine animals.

 

 

Here are a few more pictures of the landscape.  I hope you get the chance to see it someday.

 

Minke Whale

 

Chillin’ with a seal

 

21 hours of daylight each day. This is the view from the boat deck at 2 am. This was as dark as it ever got.

 

 

Using a Fire Extinguisher as a Weapon
Using a Fire Extinguisher as a Weapon 1173 880 Greg Ellifritz

As a traveler, you may not be carrying the same types of weapons you carry at home.  In a crisis, have you ever thought about the most effective way to use a fire extinguisher to your advantage?

 

Fire extinguishers are often advocated as weapons in areas where “normal” weapons can’t be carried, yet few instructors teach folks how to use them effectively in that role.

 

In a terrorist or active killer attack, setting up an ambush and using the fire extinguisher to strike the terrorist from behind probably has the best chance of success.  But if the encounter is face to face, without the element of surprise, the fire extinguisher might not be the best weapon for a single defender working against an armed opponent.

 

I don’t think I would use the fire extinguisher as an impact weapon against an armed attacker because I need two hands to effectively wield it. Unless you can get him from behind and knock him out instantly (not likely), I would rather have at least one hand to deflect and control his knife arm or the muzzle of his gun. If I have two hands on the fire extinguisher, I can’t do that. I’m betting on a knockout and if that doesn’t happen, I get shot. I don’t like those odds.

 

The spray from the extinguisher is a very dense powder. It would certainly blind the person sprayed and make them cough uncontrollably.  Similar to the teamwork displayed in the London attack, to optimize its effectiveness, I would enlist the help of at least one or two confederates. I would spray the terrorist until the extinguisher was empty and then start beating the dude with it. As I do that, my two confederates would both work to take the gun/knife away.  I think that plan has a reasonable likelihood of success.

 

I’m going to keep the hose attached to the body of the fire extinguisher.  Most people separate it (like the photo above) to spray a fire, but it doesn’t have to be pulled away from the body of the extinguisher to function.  Hold the grip of the extinguisher with your strong hand.  Support the body of the extinguisher with your non-dominant hand, ideally placing your thumb over the hose to keep it in place.  Aim the “muzzle” of the hose at the terrorist and keep spraying until the extinguisher is empty.  Once empty, keep the same grip and thrust the bottom of the canister into the terrorist’s face repeatedly.  Hopefully this will provide enough distraction/injury that your friends can wrestle away the terrorist’s weapon.

 

Keep the hose attached to the body just like this. Spray and then thrust with the bottom of the extinguisher's body.

Keep the hose attached to the body just like this. Spray and then thrust with the bottom of the extinguisher’s body.

 

In another effective counterattack, one person sprays, one person tackles, and one person gets the weapon. The tackler would be hard to stop because most people don’t practice tracking targets moving towards them when shooting their guns in practice. It’s tough to hit this kind of moving target even with practice. It would be almost impossible with a face full of fire extinguisher powder.  The tackling defender would serve to keep the terrorist from creating distance by turning and running when the spray is deployed.  It would be difficult to stop this kind of attack.

 

When the extinguisher is empty, besides thrusting, you can also swing the canister by the handle, using the body of the fire extinguisher as an impact weapon.  Depending on the size of the canister, this movement will likely take some strength to perform effectively.  It will also take a little bit of space and may not work in a tight location.

 

Use a pivoting swing technique similar to the way cops once swung their side handle PR-24 batons.  Hold the handle in your strong hand with a relaxed grip.  Swing the canister over your head or from side to side, allowing the handle to rotate in your hand.  Take a look at the short PR-24 video below to illustrate the technique.

 

This technique is best used by a strong defender in an open area as a finishing or knock out technique on an already stunned attacker.  If the defender used it as an opening move without distraction, the wide swinging nature of the attack might make it easy for the terrorist to block or evade.
Sometimes we are limited in the weapons we can carry.  Almost every public building has multiple fire extinguishers.  It’s probably a smart idea to consider how to best utilize them as an option for defensive weaponry.

 

 

Look for weapons of opportunity. These would make fine tools for an emergency.
On a boat in Ecuador.

 

 

African Counter-Ambush Tactics
African Counter-Ambush Tactics 620 413 Greg Ellifritz

In 2019, I went on a a two-week trip to South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Botswana.  The primary focus of the trip was going on safari to see all the legendary animals that inhabit the African plains.  On the trip I did 12 different safari outings, either on foot, by safari truck, or by boat.

 

I spent a lot of time watching animals, both the hunters and the hunted.

 

The African animals adopted very specific tactics that keep them safe from predators and allow them to survive.

 

I couldn’t help associating the animals’ survival tactics with tactics we police officers need to use to avoid being ambushed.  After a couple days of animal watching, the associations became crystal clear.

 

For my cop friends, here is some counter-ambush advice from the African Savannah.  You’d be smart to pay attention to the predator and prey species struggling for existence.  You can learn a lot from the techniques they practice.

 

Wide Open Spaces

Why do you think this African Fish Eagle is all alone at the top of this dead tree?

 

Sure it gives him a good vantage point for hunting, but can you think of any other reasons the bird is so isolated?

 

The Fish Eagle is both predator and prey.  It’s high up so that it can better see the critters it wants to eat.  That, however, isn’t the point I’m trying to make.

 

Note how isolated he is.  Note the fact that any predator would have to cross a lot of open ground to prey upon the Fish Eagle.  The Fish Eagle is likely to see any approaching predators and fly away before they get too close.

 

As cops, we need to adopt a similar posture.  When you are in your police car either working traffic or writing a report, think about your vehicle positioning.  You should be in a location where anyone trying to ambush you would have to cross a lot of open ground to get to your car.

 

Maximize your advantage.  Don’t make it easy on the killer.  Park in the middle of a large, empty parking lot.  Keep all your lights on.  Turn on the audio button on your radar for an additional alert mechanism.

 

Make it difficult for anyone to approach you without being seen.

 

 

Post Guards/Lookouts

These three cheetahs just ran down and killed a baby impala.  They are enjoying their feast.  As I watched them eat their meal, I noticed something critically important.  Only two of the three cheetahs were ever eating at the same time.

 

There was always one cheetah looking around for potential danger.  I never once saw a moment where all three cheetahs were relaxed and eating at the same time.  One always stood guard.

 

That’s a good posture to adopt as cops.  If you are responding to a potentially volatile situation, don’t get too sucked into the scene.  Keep looking around for additional threats.  If you are an “extra” officer on scene, direct your attention outward where you can scan for additional threats while your co-workers handle the business of the call.

 

These cheetahs are masters of the concept of “contact and cover.”

 

 

Everyone Looking in a Different Direction

These impalas are preyed upon by all the large African cats.  They are also regularly eaten by wild dogs, hyenas, and jackals.  They are one of the most common prey species on the African plains.

 

Take note of their posture.

 

Note how every one of the impala is facing a different direction.  They are set up for 360 degree predator detection.

 

We cops should adopt a similar posture.  Instead of everyone on scene facing the suspect or the complainant, mix it up.  Some of you should be looking at the victim.  Some of you should be looking at the suspect.  Some of you should be looking out toward the crowd to perceive any oncoming danger.

 

Orient your bodies so that all the cops on scene are facing in a slightly different direction.  That will provide the most advance warning in the event that a predator is stalking.

 

Team Up

Something I learned about African prey species is that they often team up and graze together.  Here is a perfect example of zebras grazing with giraffes.  Their differing heights allow them to detect danger coming from different locations.

 

The giraffes can see predators approaching from a long way away and can warn the zebras before they get too close.  When the giraffe’s face is obscured by the tree it is eating, the zebras can see any close-in predators.  The two species mutually benefit from each other’s relative advantage.

 

Don’t be afraid to ask someone else to watch your back.

 

I remember one call I responded to where an armed murder suspect threatened his girlfriend with a handgun and then ran out of their apartment.  As I was trying to find the suspect outside, I noticed a roofing crew on top of the neighboring house.  I gave them the suspect’s description and told them to yell at me if they saw him approaching.

 

It worked symbiotically the same way these African animals use other species to help them detect danger.  Even though the roofers weren’t armed cops and couldn’t help me in a gunfight, they had the ability to detect a threat and communicate that threat’s location to me.

 

Don’t be afraid to utilize advantages like this.

 

Hunting Happens at the Fringe

Here’s a picture of a female lion hunting for a meal.  Although it looks like the lion is taking a nap, she is really trying to get some food for her cubs (hidden in the brush behind her).  Note the lion’s position.

 

The lion is hunting from a shady position on the border between an open area where prey animals forage and a brush-covered area with lots of cover.  You smart folks will identify this type of environment as a “transitional area.”  It’s a place where status changes between one condition and another.

 

We humans have “transitional areas” as well.  They are areas where we transition from one status or activity to another.  Just like this African lion, the transitional areas are where the predator hunts.  Thank about areas of transition in your daily routine.  Exercise more caution when you make those transitions.

 

The predator may be watching.

 

The world is filled with both predators and prey.  Your attitude and tactics determine which of the two you will be considered.

 

Embrace the lessons from our African friends.

 

 

One more Africa picture just for fun

 

 

 

 

Travel Motion Sickness?
Travel Motion Sickness? 460 650 Greg Ellifritz

Nausea and vomiting are medical conditions I see more often than anything else in my third world travels.

 

My go-to treatment has always been Ondansetron, but it’s prescription only here in the States.

 

There may be a quicker option than anti-nausea meds that doesn’t require any prescription.  Who knew about this alternate use for the simple alcohol prep pad?  A very neat trick for those interested in austere medical issues.

 

Trick of the Trade: Isopropyl Alcohol Vapor Inhalation for Nausea and Vomiting

 

 

Vegetarian and Vegan Travelers
Vegetarian and Vegan Travelers 1108 547 Greg Ellifritz

Twenty years ago, traveling with dietary restrictions was incredibly difficult.  Today, people in almost every country in the world understands the concepts of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free.  In many countries, diners with dietary restrictions are better accommodated than they would be at a restaurant at home.

 

My veggie/vegan readers will probably find the link below to be a valuable reference.  Knowing a few words in the local language to describe your dietary preferences will make travel so much easier.

How to order vegetarian and vegan in 20 common languages

 

 

 

The Makarov
The Makarov 1136 1280 Greg Ellifritz

Occasionally, I use this page to spotlight a weapon I see in common use when I travel through foreign countries.  Since most of my readers won’t be carrying a gun in their travels, the best chance of acquiring one in an emergency is by “battlefield pickup.”

 

You don’t get to pick the guns issued to the cops or soldiers in your host country.  You need to know how to operate all of them.  This article is about the Makarov pistol.

 

Guns of ISG: The Makarov

 

I still see Makarovs being carried today in police/military holsters in all the former Soviet republics, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Cuba.  They are common guns in that part of the world.  For what it’s worth, .380 acp ammo will usually fire (but may not reliably cycle) in the 9mm Makarov (9x18mm) chamber.

 

Check out the article and learn how the gun works if you haven’t played with one before.

 

 

Second Passport?
Second Passport? 500 276 Greg Ellifritz

The article linked below is the best summary I’ve found with regards to your options for acquiring a second passport.  Their flowchart is refreshingly clear and easy to follow.

 

Why might you want a second passport?  According to the article “A second passport is your best insurance against any out-of-control government.”

 

How to Get a Second Passport

 

Learning Chinese
Learning Chinese 1280 720 Greg Ellifritz

Did you know that 1.3 BILLION people speak Chinese?  That’s one in every six people on the planet.  If you are going to learn a foreign language, picking up some Chinese might be a benefit in your future.

 

If you want to get started, Fluent in 3 Months has an excellent article providing the most commonly used Chinese words.  Check it out below.

121 Core Chinese Words — The Most Commonly Used Words in Mandarin Chinese

 

Before traveling to another country where I don’t speak the language, I generally download and print out an article like this and treat it as a type of “flashcard” practice session.  While valuable, I think that if you have a little more time, you should invest in a product like the Pimsleur audio language teaching tools.  I think the audio component of language learning is important and I think most people learn better by actually speaking the new language as much as possible.

 

On my trip to Brazil earlier this month, I got by pretty well in Portuguese and the only training I did was the first 20 lessons of Pimsleur Brazilian Portuguese.  The audio learning methods are especially useful if you can’t read your target language (like Cyrillic or Chinese).

 

 

Some of the above links (from Amazon.com and others) are affiliate links.   As an Amazon associate I earn a small percentage of the sale price from qualifying purchases.

If you would like to further support my work, head over to my Patreon page.

 

 

 

Travel Hacking?
Travel Hacking? 1196 399 Greg Ellifritz

There are dozens of websites and books dedicated to the fine art of “travel hacking.”  A travel hacker often tries to game airline, hotel, and rental car “loyalty” programs to get free trips.

 

I travel a lot.  I think travel hacking is a waste of time.  I don’t even belong to any airline frequent flyer benefit programs.  For me, the money I save wouldn’t be worth the hassle involved in the process.  I like my freedom and don’t want to be tied down to a single airline or hotel chain.

 

My opinion is the minority in the travel world.  I’m glad someone else recognizes that travel hacking isn’t always the best way to do business.

 

“Let me tell you what you do – this is the new travel hacking I’ve adopted as someone living the Nomad Capitalist lifestyle: when you go to book a ticket or hotel, you take out your wallet, look at your credit card number, and then you simply pay the full price. 

That’s my new way of travel hacking.”

 

Read the article below for more details.

 

The New Travel Hacking For Nomad Capitalists

 

You may not agree with my opinion.  That’s OK.  If you are going to “travel hack” your way to cheaper vacations, do it right.  Join the Facebook groups described in this article.