Cantillon Brewery

Cantillon Brewery

I think old machinery is interesting.

The Hague - Den Haag

 Binnenhof and Mauritshuis

Mauritshuis

being safe while being abroad

I must preface this by saying as a person who studies abroad twice in college, once in graduate school and has had about 10 long trips to foreign, never have I had a problem with my personal safety. I have actually been in the collapsing Soviet Union and was never robbed using my wits to guide me. Safety is an issue for many travelers as there are professionals who rely upon irrational foreigners to pay their rent.

As somebody who has never been robbed I must admit to meeting many travelers who have. Most of the conversations start with “it was late at night and I was drinking with a beautiful woman…”, and so on. A friend of mine was robbed at 3AM after a long night of drinking under a bridge in Leningrad (yes now St. P) by strangers he thought friends. Although I feel bad for him, honestly what did he expect? The first tip is simple, be smart and if the party seems to be too good, secondary motives exist. Be guided by wise choices and avoid situations you would not participate in at home. I never met anybody who said they got robbed at 2PM after an operatic performance at a church in the center of town. Please feel free to comment, suggestions, and or provide feedback as you like.

The Benefits of Traveling Light

While standing in your living room you quickly come up with reasons while all of what you see is a special item and will be needed sometime, someplace. If you are traveling for just one week, you are right, take as much as you need and or want. This travel thought is intended for the traveler who plans to spend a couple weeks, or longer, from home.

Do you really need to check two bags? One small carry-on(with important documents and medication) and one checked is all you need. Generally, the extra clothing and products will sit in a hostel room as you are half way across the city and not help you in any way. Conversely, you will feel their presence on your back as you schlep two miles to the hostel in the rain, wait for the extra luggage at the carousel, or have to dig for that one special item you know is someplace.

This is only the beginning!

"There's no knowing where you might be swept off to." ~J.R.R. Tolkien

Traveling to Find Your True Self

We find who we are

in wandering the world.

Tell us your true stories and travel tips!