Traveling to new and exotic places is fun, exciting, and educational.  There is so much to see and do, and so much of it is new.  Sometimes that newness, the fact that you really don’t know the place well, can lend itself to situations that are less than optimal.

To keep yourself, and your belongings safe in a new place, here are a few tips:

1-      Be on the alert in crowded places, like airports, train stations, subways, bus stations, even markets and festivals.  Crowded places are favorites of pick-pockets.  Be aware of your surroundings, and alert to loud arguments, bumps, or other situations that could have been staged just to distract you, while your pocket is picked, or your handbag grabbed.

2-      Keep your possessions close at hand.  Keep hand-bags clutched tightly, not swinging from the shoulder by long straps.

3-      Do not place things on the table in an outdoor café, where they might be snagged by a passerby as you look in another direction.

4-      Check out the city, and stay away from questionable areas.  You do that in your own city don’t you?

5-      If you are using public transportation like a bus or train, try to sit near the driver or some other authority just as a precaution.

In everything, awareness of your surroundings is key.  Knowing what is happening around you is the first step to staying safe.