Travel and Safety Secrets
Maps, maps, maps. I’m geographically handicap. My sense of direction is abnormally incorrect. Undoubtedly, I choose the opposite direction my gut tells me, which usually results in a somewhat accurate route. Because of this, I become overly anxious about directions when abroad. I overcompensate to the extent of having multiple maps in my bag at all times. Maps of the city, maps of the neighborhood, even maps of the museum or school I’m in. I never use maps in America, because I know I’ll eventually find my way. In Europe, that’s not the case.
My best asset for travel safety is apps. I download a million apps on my phone before leaving, and once I’m abroad. These apps cover a range of topics: currency exchange, language translators, and my all time favorite, subway maps. The important thing to note when choosing these apps is if they work without wifi. A subway map that works without wifi is like gold to study abroad students. There’s nothing worse than being on a subway platform, underground, completely unaware of which direction you’re about to head in.
Similarly, my favorite trick is about the maps app the comes with all iPhones. While in wifi, you can ask for directions on this app, and it will show you on the map how to walk somewhere. The trick is, even when you leave wifi, the app still keeps the map up, tracking your every step. This for me, has become extremely helpful. When lost, I’ll run into a café with wifi, map out my route, and then head off. At least for me, I prefer maps on my phone, to real life maps, because real life maps are a huge indicator of being a vulnerable tourist. When I’m on my phone, I may be lost, but to everyone on the street, I’m just another American teenager.
Other than directions, safety is easy. Backpacks are bringing you into the danger zone. On the subway, for example, if you have a backpack on, someone can easily unzip it from behind and steal something. I have a huge purse like bag that sits right on my side, so no one can touch it. This goes for little purses too. I only wear purses that are extremely complex to open, which of course for me is frustrating if I need to open it every 5 minutes, but the security it gives me in knowing my phone and wallet won’t be stolen is worth it.
The rest is common sense and street smarts. The more American you look, the more vulnerable you look. It’s frustrating and upsetting, but it’s just the way it is. Traveling in large groups, making a lot of noise, screaming in English, is the easiest way to turn yourself into a target. If you walk like you know where you’re going, people will think you belong. It’s a trademark New Yorker rule, even if you’re lost and confused, you keep your head up high and just keep walking (even if this means circling the block so you don’t look like an idiot who turns around mid-way). It may be absurd, but it works.
