{"id":488,"date":"2019-09-02T11:30:08","date_gmt":"2019-09-02T11:30:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/?p=13429"},"modified":"2020-02-02T22:06:30","modified_gmt":"2020-02-02T22:06:30","slug":"12-ways-to-be-prepared-for-anything-while-traveling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ourfunjourney.com\/index.php\/2019\/09\/02\/12-ways-to-be-prepared-for-anything-while-traveling\/","title":{"rendered":"12 Ways to Be Prepared for Anything While Traveling"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/preparedtraveler.jpg\" alt=\"be prepared like a boy scout\" \/><br \/>\n<strong>Updated:<\/strong> 9\/2\/2019 | September 2nd, 2019<\/p>\n<p>When I was a kid, I was a Boy Scout. I made it pretty far too, but then I became a teenager, decided it was \u201clame,\u201d and quit. As a Boy Scout, I learned how to tie knots, camp outdoors, be a good citizen, play with knives, and got to have cool sleepovers.<\/p>\n<p>One of the most important things you learn as a Boy Scout is their motto to always \u201cbe prepared,\u201d and as I\u2019ve grown up and traveled the world, I\u2019ve found this to also be a travel\u00a0truism.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/travel-blogs\/travel-insurance\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">You never know what might happen on the road<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Stepping out your door into the unknown is what makes travel so exciting. Each day brings endless possibility, but that possibility is for both good and bad. You may end up enjoying a day sightseeing in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/travel-guides\/france-travel-tips\/paris\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Paris<\/a> \u2014\u00a0or getting robbed in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/travel-guides\/germany-travel-tips\/berlin\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Berlin<\/a>. You may spend an amazing day on the beaches of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/travel-guides\/thailand-travel-tips\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Thailand<\/a> \u2014 or suffer food poisoning in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/travel-guides\/costa-rica-travel-tips\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Costa Rica<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>But if you\u2019re prepared, you\u2019ll be able to face whatever happens to you on the road:<\/p>\n<h3>1. Take Multipurpose Gear<\/h3>\n<p>Packing multiuse gear ensures you can easily adjust to changing conditions and helps reduce the amount of clothing you need to take. For example, I like pants that zip off into shorts, walking shoes that look nice enough for an evening out, and using my swim trunks as a pair of shorts. This saves room in my bag while money since I don\u2019t need to buy as much stuff. This always ensures you are dressed for any occasion (after all, who knows when you\u2019ll suddenly find yourself invited to party?!).<\/p>\n<p>Here are some posts on gear that can help you:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/nomadicmatt.com\/travel-tips\/choosing-the-right-backpack\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">How to pick the reight backpack<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/travel-blogs\/packing\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">My suggested packing list<\/a> (and <a href=\"http:\/\/nomadicmatt.com\/travel-blogs\/solo-female-travel-packing-guide\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">a women\u2019s version too<\/a>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>2. Carry a Small First Aid Kit<\/h3>\n<p>While we live in 2019, not 1919, and you can find modern medicine anywhere in the world, I always carry a small first aid kit with me with a few essential items to be safe. I take Tylenol, stomach illness medicine, eyedrops, Band-Aids, scissors, hydrocortisone cream, antibacterial ointment, and a small supply of doctor-approved antibiotics. I\u2019m usually able to find a pharmacy when I need one, but in case of an emergency, it\u2019s good to have these items handy.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/nomadicmatt.com\/travel-blogs\/first-aid-kit\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Here\u2019s a detailed guide on putting together a first aid kit<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>(And, on a similar note, <a href=\"http:\/\/nomadicmatt.com\/travel-blogs\/ten-health-safety-tips\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">here are 10 ways to avoid getting sick on the road<\/a>.)<\/p>\n<h3>3. Pack a Small Flashlight<\/h3>\n<p>You\u2019d be surprised how many travelers don\u2019t carry one, but a flashlight will prove to be invaluable when you suddenly decide to go caving in Panama, <a href=\"http:\/\/nomadicmatt.com\/travel-blogs\/getting-lost-in-costa-rica\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">when your hike lasts longer than expected and nightfall sets in<\/a>, or when the electricity goes out unexpectedly, which is not uncommon in a lot of places. I carry a small, waterproof pen flashlight when I travel.<\/p>\n<h3>4. Carry a Reusable Water Bottle (with a Filter)<\/h3>\n<p>Water is life, and while it\u2019s unlikely you\u2019re going to be lost out in a desert or the jungle, it always pays to be prepared. Carrying a reusable water bottle and filter will not only save you money as a traveler, but it will also prevent tons of single-use plastic from ending up in landfills or the ocean. And yes, should an emergency arise you\u2019ll be prepared. Most people can survive for 3 weeks without food \u2014 but you\u2019ll only make it 3 days without water. Never leave home without a reusable bottle and filter, such as a <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2K5Qg68\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">SteriPen<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2TwpndX\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">LifeStraw<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3>5. Learn Basic Phrases<\/h3>\n<p>Locals don\u2019t expect you to be an expert in their language, but knowing how to say \u201chello,\u201d \u201cgoodbye,\u201d and \u201cthank you\u201d go a long way in endearing yourself to locals. After all, wouldn\u2019t you be annoyed if someone came to your home and expected you to know their language?<\/p>\n<p>Knowing a few key phrases will not only make interactions easier, but it will also help you when you bargain for goods, order food, get lost, or need help.<\/p>\n<p>Lonely Planet makes excellent pocket language guides for just about every language spoken, and Benny Lewis wrote <a href=\"http:\/\/nomadicmatt.com\/travel-blogs\/four-step-language-learning\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">this excellent guide on learning languages<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3>6. Study Nonverbal Communication<\/h3>\n<p>Most people interact using both verbal and nonverbal communication, so paying attention to facial expressions can help you appropriately read a situation, even if you don\u2019t understand the verbal part. When you don\u2019t know the language or might take words out of context, keep calm and take a moment to read the feelings of the person. This has helped me defuse tense situations with taxi drivers, vendors, and hotel owners. Understanding nonverbal communication doesn\u2019t happen overnight. It takes practice, but these websites offer:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.helpguide.org\/articles\/relationships\/nonverbal-communication.htm\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">A Guide to Non-Verbal Communication<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/lifehacker.com\/5852572\/how-to-read-and-utilize-body-language-to-reveal-the-truth-in-almost-any-situation\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">How to Read Body Language<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/psychology.about.com\/od\/nonverbalcommunication\/tp\/nonverbaltips.htm\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tips on Non-Verbal Communication<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scienceofpeople.com\/the-best-authors-blogs-on-lie-detectionnonverbal-behavior\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">10 Websites for Non-Verbal Communication Tips<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>7. Keep Emergency Cash with You<\/h3>\n<p>While there is almost always an ATM around these days, you never know when emergency cash might come in handy. You could end up in an airport (like I recently did) and find that none of your ATM cards work and you are stuck without any money. I recommend having a stash of $200 USD for emergency situations. I don\u2019t carry this money around but leave it in my hotel room safe in case something happens. It will be useful if you get robbed or lose your wallet.<\/p>\n<h3>8. Have Backup Credit and Bank Cards<\/h3>\n<p>I always keep one backup credit card and bank card with me in case of emergencies. You never know when one bank might decide to lock your account for suspicious activity without telling you (yes, that has also happened to me) or when you might get robbed. I recently had my bank account information stolen while I was traveling in Europe. My bank had to deactivate my card, and if I hadn\u2019t had a second one with me, I wouldn\u2019t have had access to any money.<\/p>\n<p>Here are some helpful blog posts on credit cards and banking for you:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/travel-tips\/picking-a-travel-credit-card\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">How to Pick the Best Travel Credit Card (With Suggested Favorites)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/travel-blogs\/avoid-paying-bank-fees-traveling\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">How to Avoid ALL Bank Fees When You Travel<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>9. Make Copies of Your Passport and Important Documents<\/h3>\n<p>Keeping copies of your documents can come in handy during an emergency, especially if you lose your originals. If you get robbed or lose your passport, having copies ready for officials can make filing police reports and obtaining new documents much easier. When I lost my passport, my backup copies helped with my police report and served as my proof of identity at the American embassy. Copy your passport, your health\/travel insurance paperwork, and your credit cards.<\/p>\n<h3>10. Carry a List of Emergency Contacts<\/h3>\n<p>If something happens to you, having a list of emergency numbers on you will help medical professionals know who to contact. I also keep a list of my allergies with me so if I need treatment and can\u2019t answer questions, doctors know what I\u2019m allergic to.<\/p>\n<p>I keep two copies: one with me and one in my bag in my hotel room. Because having backups are important!<\/p>\n<h3>11. Have Travel Insurance<\/h3>\n<p>The ultimate form of preparedness, <a href=\"http:\/\/nomadicmatt.com\/travel-blogs\/travel-insurance\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">having travel insurance<\/a> will be a blessing when you have to go to the hospital because you popped an eardrum scuba diving, get sick on the road, or break a leg. Chances are nothing is going to happen to you while traveling, but for when it does, you are going to want to have insurance. Only a fool travels without it.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s a list of suggested articles on how to pick the best travel insurance:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/travel-blogs\/travel-insurance\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">How to Buy Travel Insurance<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/travel-blogs\/best-travel-insurance-companies\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The Best Travel Insurance Companies<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/travel-blogs\/best-backpacker-travel-insurance\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The Best Backpacker Travel Insurance<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/travel-blogs\/world-nomads-review\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Why I Love World Nomads the Best!<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>12. Read Before You Go<\/h3>\n<p>There\u2019s nothing more important than knowing about the place you\u2019re visiting. Head to a library or bookstore and get a few books on what life is like where you\u2019re going. If someone came into your home and ignored all your rules, you would get upset \u2014\u00a0the same guidelines are applicable when you travel overseas. Knowing basic rules and etiquette can help you avoid any misunderstandings and leave a favorable impression in your host\u2019s minds. Otherwise, you could end up like <a href=\"http:\/\/news.bbc.co.uk\/2\/hi\/uk\/8602449.stm\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">this British couple who were jailed for kissing in public in Dubai.<\/a> (That\u2019s a big no-no in Middle Eastern countries.)<\/p>\n<p><center>***<\/center><\/p>\n<p>You never know when you might face the unexpected, and if there\u2019s one thing I\u2019ve learned from my years of traveling, it\u2019s that even the best-laid plans can go awry. You may not use these items all the time, and, hopefully, you won\u2019t ever need some of them, but the point is to be ready when you do. After all, a scout is always prepared.<\/p>\n<h3>How to Travel the World on $50 a Day<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/travel-tips\/how-to-travel-the-world-on-50-usd\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" style=\"float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;\" src=\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/bookimages\/howtotraveltheworld_v3cover.jpg\" alt=\"how to travel the world on $50 a day\" width=\"200\" height=\"273\" \/><\/a>My <em>New York Times<\/em> best-selling paperback guide to world travel will teach you how to master the art of travel save money, get off the beaten path, and have a more local, richer travel experiences.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/travel-tips\/how-to-travel-the-world-on-50-usd\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Click here to learn more about the book and pick up a copy today!<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"single-booking\">\n<h4>Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks<\/h4>\n<p><strong>Book Your Flight<\/strong><br \/>\nFind a cheap flight by using <a href=\"http:\/\/www.anrdoezrs.net\/click-3032045-12837948\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Skyscanner<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.awin1.com\/cread.php?awinmid=9904&amp;awinaffid=509047&amp;%23038;clickref=&amp;%23038;p=\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Momondo<\/a>. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Book Your Accommodation<\/strong><br \/>\nYou can book your hostel with <a href=\"https:\/\/prf.hn\/click\/camref:1101lHtj\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Hostelworld<\/a> as they have the largest inventory. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use <a href=\"https:\/\/www.booking.com\/index.html?aid=1136215\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Booking.com<\/a> as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. I use them all the time.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Don\u2019t Forget Travel Insurance<\/strong><br \/>\nTravel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It\u2019s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I\u2019ve had to use it many times in the past. I\u2019ve been using <a href=\"https:\/\/www.worldnomads.com\/lovedby\/nomadic-matt?affiliate=nmts&amp;subId=brandlink&amp;affiliateTrackingId=0fe898ceef264503a88f74f4bbc7bb5b&amp;utm_source=nmts&amp;utm_medium=affiliate&amp;utm_campaign=Affiliate&amp;utm_content=brandlink\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">World Nomads<\/a> for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.worldnomads.com\/lovedby\/nomadic-matt?affiliate=nmts&amp;subId=brandlink&amp;affiliateTrackingId=0fe898ceef264503a88f74f4bbc7bb5b&amp;utm_source=nmts&amp;utm_medium=affiliate&amp;utm_campaign=Affiliate&amp;utm_content=brandlink\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">World Nomads<\/a> (for everyone below 70)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.insuremytrip.com\/?linkId=5d1cb667a65d12041eca44ec%22\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Insure My Trip<\/a> (for those over 70)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Looking for the best companies to save money with?<\/strong><br \/>\nCheck out my <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/travel-resources\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">resource page<\/a> for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel \u2013 and that will save you time and money too!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>You never know what might happen on the road. Stepping out your door into the unknown is what makes travel so exciting. Each day brings endless possibility, but that possibility is for both good and bad. What can you do to mitigate those unfortunate possibilities? Be prepared! <\/p>\n<p>The post <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/travel-blogs\/14-ways-to-be-prepared-for-anything-while-traveling\/\">12 Ways to Be Prepared for Anything While Traveling<\/a> appeared first on <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/\">Nomadic Matt&#8217;s Travel Site<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[151,133,60,26,13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-488","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-safety","category-safety-tips","category-shhlr","category-travel-gear","category-travel-tips"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ourfunjourney.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/488","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ourfunjourney.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ourfunjourney.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ourfunjourney.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ourfunjourney.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=488"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/ourfunjourney.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/488\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":539,"href":"https:\/\/ourfunjourney.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/488\/revisions\/539"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ourfunjourney.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=488"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ourfunjourney.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=488"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ourfunjourney.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=488"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}