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I’m not sure many people can say they’ve been stranded in Paris. I can and boy does it damper your vacation.
My first trip to Paris was with my absolute best friend in the world when, one fall, we took a girl’s trip to London and Paris. My BFF had been there for a day or two once before so she definitely had a sense of the city. She spent the entire time we were in Paris eyeballing my purse to make sure I wasn’t the victim of a pick-pocketing incident. Growing up in rural Ohio, I didn’t really think much about leaving my purse hanging on the backs of chairs in restaurants or letting my purse sit in front of me on the floor on the metro. Following her lead, I made a conscious effort to protect my belongings from theft.
The trouble began our last day in Paris before heading to the French Riviera. The pouring rain took precedence over our desire to save money and we hired a cab to take us to Orly airport instead of taking the metro like we had originally planned. The joke was on us, however, when we arrived at Orly too early to check in and go through security. No problem, this was the perfect opportunity to get one last macaroon before leaving the City of Lights. You can imagine my dismay, when returning from the bathroom, I discovered that my ever so safety-conscious BFF had leaned in to give directions to a soft-spoken woman only discover after the woman left that her purse (with her wallet, passport and camera) had left with her. Pandemonium ensued as we both frantically raced around the airport looking for the woman or a discarded purse. The search ended with my bestie sobbing while an unsympathetic policeman suggested that I go to Nice alone while my moneyless, ID-less friend stayed in Paris for the long weekend. (it was the Friday before Columbus Day weekend and the American Consulate was closed, of course).
Eventually we did get my friend a new passport and got to enjoy a few extra bonus days in Paris despite being disappointed on missing out of part of our trip. That being said, I would highly suggest you do everything humanly possible to avoid this happening to you. Despite getting a great story out of the whole thing, the entire process was an absolute nightmare. From not understanding the French passport photo booth to being interrogated at Charles de Gualle on our way home I would not wish this hassle on anyone. Therefore, I have comprised to following tips to help make your vacation as headache-free as possible.
1. Do Your Research
Safety while traveling starts before the trip even begins. I highly recommend finding out as much about your destination as possible prior to your trip. Before traveling abroad, I am a big fan of checking out the US Department of State’s website. They have tons of information on travel safety and resources you can use in the unfortunate event of a travel emergency. Here you can also access their Learn About Your Destination page where you can look up your destination country’s page to learn about any travel advisories, quick country facts and specific safety information pertaining to each particular country. A good thing to remember is that it’s the Department of State’s job to provide information on what could potentially happen to help keep Americans safe. That does not necessarily mean that it’s going to happen. So for instance when you look up your family’s upcoming trip to Jamaica and see warnings for “rape and sexual assault” don’t necessarily assume that being on your resort’s property is dangerous and cancel your trip. Just go with the knowledge that there is an increased risk of these dangers and plan accordingly.
2. Make Your Plans Known
In this case it’s good to have a stalker. It’s always important to make sure someone at home knows roughly where you are at all times. I always make sure my parents or another family member has the names and phone numbers of my hotels and at least a rough estimated itinerary so they could potentially alert the proper authorities if they felt something was not quite right. It may sound a little paranoid but having someone with access to that information could be key should there be an actually emergency. It’s also helpful in the event the people back at home need to get ahold of you about an emergency of their own.
3. Know the Local Scams
This goes hand in hand with doing your research. Unfortunately, there are not so honest people out there who use the vulnerability of tourists to their advantage. You might think you know a scam when you see them but these people keep doing it for a reason- they’re really good at it! Google “local scams abroad” and you will be hit with a ton of information regarding scams and the best ways to avoid being a victim. Being informed is key! It never hurts to be over-educated!
4. Know the Local Emergency Numbers
Nothing is worse than not knowing what to do in an emergency. Throw in a language barrier and you’re just asking for a bad time. Before you leave, look up the local emergency numbers for the places you will be and keep a copy somewhere safe.
5. Make Copies of Important Documents
Always make two copies of your passport, driver’s license and any other form of identification. Leave one copy at home with family or friends and take another with you- just remember to keep it some place different than your actual documents. When we had to go get my friend’s new passport, her mom was able to email us copies of her lost passport and her drivers license. This was SO helpful and sped up the already lengthy process.
6. Pay Attention to Your Surroundings
In a world ran by social media, it’s easy to let your guard down trying to capture the perfect Instagram photo or creating a like-worthy status. Don’t forget that while you’re focused on your phone or camera, someone else’s focus could be on your purse. Keep an eye on your personal belongings at all times. Consider using a money belt to keep extra important belongings in (like your passport!). Keep a hand on your purse at all times or keep your wallet in your front pocket. Use common sense when talking to strangers and if you ever feel uncomfortable trust your instincts!
7. Lock It Up
Bring a lock along with you to keep your luggage secure while you’re away from your room. Only bring what you need- leave the rest locked up. You can find some great ones here. And while we’re talking about your room, always keep the door locked and dead bolt fastened.
8. Don’t Panic!
Let’s face it, no matter how careful you are things can happen. As long as you are prepared and remain calm, there is hardly a situation that you can’t face. Traveling is an amazing opportunity to explore different cultures and make memories for yourself. With a little preparation and some common sense, you can enjoy yourself without compromising your safety or your trip.
