Let your hair grow out, and try not to look like an American. Keep your passport where it cannot be picked (bottom of a knapsack?). Crossing streets can be an art; pedestrians have the right of way? Maybe not? No ice in drinks, based on bacteria that locals are accustomed to. Enjoy the trip, but temper it with a bit of paranoia while away.
P.S. The whole world has an element of locals that you do not want to meet.
Don't carry your passport "at the bottom of your knapsack." One of the ways they steal your stuff is to cut your knapsack with a sharp instrument. Rather, keep it in the safe in your room.
Don't carry your passport "at the bottom of your knapsack." One of the ways they steal your stuff is to cut your knapsack with a sharp instrument. Rather, keep it in the safe in your room.
O.K.; however, you seem to agree that the theft of a passport is a possibility for those that do not do something precautionary. I wouldn't be comfortable with not keeping a passport on my person, since the local law might want to see it for some reason, while out and about?
I wouldn't be comfortable with not keeping a passport on my person, since the local law might want to see it for some reason, while out and about?
A (paper) copy is sufficient. And every (official) will understand that you don't carry your passport with you (that's one of the reasons, why we've ID-cards as travel documents )
0 Replies
cicerone imposter
1
Thu 23 Aug, 2012 10:57 am
@Foofie,
What Walter said; I always carry a copy of my passport in my wallet. In some countries, they want to see your passport to exchange currency.
The couple of times I've been to the USA, I had to show my ID-card/passport more often than during 50 years I'm travelling through Europe now.
I don't know what your point might be? If you are alluding to some sort of possible xenophobia, I'm the wrong one to commiserate. I prefer foreigners wearing tee shirts with the American flag, and a baseball cap for the Mets baseball team. Comparing Europe to the U.S.A., might correlate to comparing apple pie to strudel. They're just not the same pastry.
I didn't intend to compare pastries but where you had to show your ID-card (or passport) more often. And thanks to the Schengen Agreement, it became even less in Europe than it was 15 years ago.
If we're talking pastries can I recommend Holtcamp's cake and pastry shop in Amsterdam (By Royal (Dutch) appt.) I've just got back and they were brilliant. Still got some maccaroons and chocolate to try out.
I bought a book called Secret Amsterdam, and I'm sorry to say, with the exception of the "Auschwitz Never Again," monument, it's the only thing I saw from the book.
0 Replies
Cycloptichorn
2
Fri 21 Sep, 2012 04:53 pm
@Cycloptichorn,
Cycloptichorn wrote:
Going well, thanks. We're waiting on some funding issues to come through before we make the final decision as to how much time we can spend in Europe.
Funding issues resolved, trip is officially a go!!!!!
More to come in the next few days - I need to start making to-do checklists...
)
