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by Sheryl Nantus
The thrill of international travel can be quickly turned into a rollercoaster ride of annoyance if you don't take the proper precautions before leaving for the airport. While many travel agents and airlines will warn the traveler of any potential problems before they board the plane, you can take action on your own to make your trip safe and fun for you and your family.
First to consider is the health aspect. Are you traveling to a country where there is proper health care available to you and your family in the event of an emergency? While travel insurance is available for a small fee, you should be prepared with all necessary medical documents in the case of an accident or medical emergency. If you have any sort of medical condition, document it thoroughly and carry this with you in case you need immediate treatment. Often there is no time to contact your regular doctor back home and the physicians need all the help they can get to treat you properly.
If you are currently on any medication, take it in its ORIGINAL container on the trip. Too many people toss in containers of pills into their luggage not knowing how it appears to Customs officers who see unknown drugs in your possession. Keep them in the original case with the detailed description clear and visible on the label; as well as the dates you purchased it. While it might be more convenient to mix and match the pills into a smaller and more easily carried container, it might prove harmful in the long run. As well, if you are in the middle of a medical emergency the proper labels will ensure that your condition is treated promptly and efficiently by medical personnel with all the information available to them.
Make sure that you have all the necessary medical inoculations for the country you are visiting.; even if you are only going to be there for a week or so. Your doctor can help you prepare sufficiently for any country you are going to be in; including alerts on the quality of the water and the food. Just because you have clear drinking water here doesn't guarantee that you won't have an adverse affect from drinking the water there, either in ice cube form or as part of a drink. Be aware that different countries have different levels of sanitation and your immune system might not be prepared for the switch.
Leave a detailed itinerary at home or with relatives so that you can be found quickly in the case of an emergency; or if you go missing and are unable to be contacted. Too many people leave a vague hint of where they plan to be and then are trapped in a situation beyond their control without any contact available back home and no one looking for them due to insufficient knowledge. Let your family and friends know where you are going to be and for how long - and provide the number if you have it. This way you can be certain that if anything goes awry on your end, you will have people asking about you almost immediately.
Be aware that you ARE a visitor in a foreign land. Customs and protocol vary from country to country, so do your homework and make sure that you won't become the Ugly American that the travel guides laugh about. Most important is to check the laws of the country you are visiting so that you don't break them accidentally - ignorance is no excuse in any country.
As well, know the location of your embassy. In case of any trouble you want quick and easy access to your country's ambassador and resources. Make sure this information is current and up-to-date and keep in your address book for fast reference.
Keep your passport and documents handy at the airport for quick presentation to officials. There's nothing worse than getting stuck behind the woman or man who has tucked their passports in the bottom of their luggage and is now blocking the line for a good hour while they unpack and repack their clothing. Keep documents available and close at hand for inspection and also for safety reasons. Never put anything into your luggage that you cannot afford to lose; especially personal documents such as birth certificates and passports. Too many times luggage goes missing either on purpose or accidentally and you don't want to be stuck in the airport with literally no proof of who you are. Present them quickly and quietly to the customs officials upon request and answer all their questions as best you can.
Upon returning home have all necessary receipts and documents at hand for the customs officials at your airport. One way of doing this is to quickly slip the receipts for any purchases into your wallet where you can stack them and present at a moment's notice; depending on the exemption you are claiming. If you are stopped for inspection be able to present your purchases and belongings in a quick, efficient way to the inspectors as well as being helpful in your responses. Having your clothing and purchases neatly packed in your luggage means that an inspection can take only minutes instead of hours; with your luggage otherwise undisturbed. Remember, they are there to help you and your country, not to provide a barrier to travelers.
International travel doesn't have to be a nightmare of customs officials and health problems if you take a few precautions beforehand - instead you'll come home with a suitcase full of good memories and a barrelful of photographs!
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