For those of you who have never been outside the country, air-travel, public transport, and city walking may not be something that is often carefully pondered. Some people find this to be the easiest, some may find this the most nerve wracking. Pay attention to these facts and you'll feel safe, comfortable, and you'll enjoy the trip more by experiencing more and worrying less.
- AIR TRAVEL:
- To Ireland, it will probably be around 7-8 hours. Get up and walk around as much as possible. The altitude messes with your blood and you can start to feel really crummy.
- DRINK WATER! I know that alcohol has a "different" effect at a higher altitudes, but 8 hours is a long time. Think before you drink.
- In the night, it gets cold, especially if you're by a window. Bring something on your carry-on that will be warm, easy to put back, and *BING BING BING* has a hood. You'll be surprised how much that will help, especially while trying to sleep.
- Try to dress comfortably, but still respectable. Not sweat pants, but not iron-pressed slacks and a tie either.
- TAXI:
- In Ireland, although English is widely spoken, the locals can still pull the Gaelic-Card on you. Taxi drivers may try to rip you off by telling you a totally different toll compared to what your meter read before it was turned off. Keep your eye on it, and keep your money handy. Locals may be in a hurry and try to take your cab when you've arrived so quickly that you haven't even exited the car yet.
- In Italy, the language card would be even easier for them to pull on you. If you speak the language at a beginner or intermediate level, they can still speak slang, let alone very rapidly. ASK IF THEY SPEAK ENGLISH FIRST. Make sure they know exactly where you're wanting to go. If they try to make conversation with you, join! They're only human. Be friendly!
- Not everyone out there is a bad guy - some are very polite locals and want to practice their English with you ;-) Just make sure they aren't distracting you from something else.
- PUBLIC TRANSIT:
- Be natural, just like in the US.
- Subway (Metro) and Bus lines are a little hard to adjust to, but take your time. The extra 2 minutes you take to look at the map carefully is better than getting on the wrong line and it cost you an extra 30 minutes or another ticket.
- In Metro especially, keep an eye on your things. If you're carrying a considerable amount with you and you're noticeable, wear your back pack on your front (not kidding, I know its dorky). But many people actually do that there. This is due to petty theft. If you're being robbed and you've caught them, yell "Thief!" I've seen it happen and other onlookers help you. Again, not everybody is out to get you.
- On a bus, be sure to press the stop button/pull a cable to let the driver know that the next stop there is someone who needs to get off. Otherwise they will keep driving. Pay attention to the screen that shows what the next stop is, if present.
- If there aren't any seats left and you have to stand - that's fine! Be kind, natural, and hang on to a poll. And don't forget to put a hand on your things.
- CITY WALKING:
- ENTERING A SHOP/STORE:
- Always greet them, thank them, and say goodbye. Even if you're only interested in looking. They think it is respectable and polite. If you have picked up enough language, try it out!
- BACKPACKS:
- Getting a luggage lock isn't such a bad idea for your back pack. Combination locks are best so that you don't have to worry about a key. Keep everything valuable in that locked compartment. Wearing it on your front is not ALWAYS necessary, as well.
- PURSES:
- Your purse should be something that you wrap around your body. Hand bags and shoulder bags can be easily swiped in one motion. If your bag is wrapped around your body off your shoulder - say a hipster/messenger bag - the harder it is to snatch.
- Try to find something you may already have or something in stores that has both a zipper and a flap over the opening (these are pretty popular right now, so they're not to hard to find.) It is harder for a pick-pocketer to get in it. Just a simple bag with one button or magnetic clip is easy to get in and out of without you knowing.
- Keep it in front of your body, a hand on it if you wish. It shows that you're not messing around!
- Put your money in more than one place. The smallest EUR bill is the 5. You will have a ton of hard change jingling in your pockets. There are 2 EUR, 1 EUR, and all the way down to 1 EUR cent in coins. Try keeping them in a zippered compartment and bills in another, let alone in two different wallets/places. I had two of each in my purse - or one with me and one at home/in the hotel with the majority of my money in it. See MONEY for more helpful hints.
- A PHOTOCOPY of the passport. Some places will take your photocopy instead of the real thing. Carrying the real thing brings the risk of losing it. Losing your passport abroad is probably the worst thing ever. Even worse than having your wallet stolen. Keep it the SAFEST.
Finally, always make others perceive you as comfortable. There is no reason to pretend you're a native. You are American and you should not feel ashamed. Walk with a purpose, be kind, don't look confused or frightened. Asking for directions is better than holding up a huge map that could be blocking something very important in front of you. Also, if you know how to ask something in that language, be sure you know how to interpret the response! Otherwise you'll have to ask again in English.
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