It doesn’t matter if you’re going abroad to visit your family, to do some sightseeing or to party. There are three things you should absolutely take with yourself, so your trip doesn’t change into a terrible experience.
1. Savings for a rainy day
You can’t predict what’s going to happen even during the best-planned journey. That’s why you should have some extra money hidden in a safe spot – not in your wallet. How much?, you may ask. Well, at least much enough to pay for one night in a motel, for a meal and for another return ticket. Don’t trust your credit card – not because it may not work, but because you may lose it without even noticing it.
2. A pocket dictionary
English-speaking travellers often forget that not everyone in the world is able to communicate using their language. If you’re going abroad, take at least a pocket dictionary – it’ll help you to avoid unpleasant situations when you can’t express yourself well enough to be understood.
3. A list of important addresses and phone numers
That’s another thing we use to forget. What number should we dial if our travel companion breaks his leg? What our embassy’s address and phone number? Who should we call to check if we can change the date of the return flight? Think about all adresses and numers you’d need – and note them.
We wish you not having to use any of above items, but always have them with yourself when going abroad. Remember: during long and distant travels foresight is more important than anything else.
photo: Horia Varlan / Flickr CC
