Keep Your Friends Close and Your Passport Closer

Originally published on Do It While You’re Young

The first rule of international travel I learned? Never let go of your passport. After a semester in living in London and travelling in Europe, I’ve learned to keep my friends close and my passport closer.

The night before I left for my semester in London, my dad insisted we go on a last minute shopping trip in search of a passport pouch – something I could wear around my neck to make sure my passport was not stolen. Horrified at the thought of wearing any tourist emblem (camera, passport, you name it) around my neck, I was able to convince him that I would be careful and just fine without a tacky passport pouch strapped to my neck – I have to admit there are some more stylish passport wallets but none of these were what my dad had in mind, probably something neon with Velcro closures.

Though I managed to leave the country passport necklace free, the lesson to always keep an eye on my passport stuck with me, so when, on my second European excursion, the security agent at one of London’s airports told me to place my passport in the security bin, I hesitated. Without another option, I did as he said and proceeded through the metal detector. On the other side, I gathered my belongings and waited for my friend.

With a look of panic on her face, that friend rushed away from the security belt. “I can’t find my passport!” she said, her expression dropping.

What we went through in the next hour and a half is still a blur. Her passport had come through the scanner in one of the grey plastic bins. She put her coat on, and when she looked back the passport was missing. We asked the security agent to see if it fell. The agent suggested someone picked it up by accident (or intentionally) and directed us to a security desk. Somewhat helplessly, the agents made an announcement over the PA and sent us to another security desk. Finally someone came to help us, but instead she led us to customs agents who told us there was little they could do and directed us to the front entrance of the airport.

Now on the wrong side of security and down a passport, my friend could not get back to the gate. Panicked and fearing our weeklong backpacking trip was shot, she stayed in the main lobby while I went through to the first security desk. They had me check my bag while they reviewed CCTV (London’s security camera system) footage, and as they did, someone ran over, passport in hand. The passport had fallen onto the rollers of the metal detector and gotten stuck in the machine. My friend was rushed through security and we, emotionally drained and exhausted, made our 6am flight.

At first we put the experience behind us, but when other friends also went through passport turmoil, I realized that maybe there was more validity in my dad’s worry that I might lose my passport than I wished to admit.

On the day two of my friends were to fly from Barcelona to London, one realized her purse had been swiped from her chair at a small café. Passport, credit card, driver’s licence – all gone. Because it was Sunday and the embassies were closed, the pair missed their flight, booked another and stayed in a hostel an extra night. Despite these additional costs, they found the US consulate helpful and were able to get the passport and travel documents replaced the next day.

While the nerdy tourist look may cancel out the benefits of wearing a neon, Velcro passport pouch around your neck, it is certainly important to keep your passport close and carefully guarded. My friends and I may have learned this lesson the hard way, but hopefully you can learn from our mistakes and travel with ease.

Keeping your passport close:

• Losing your passport or having it stolen is a possibility, but it is not the end of the world. It is certainly inconvenient and it will most likely cost you more than you would like, but with today’s technology and communication it is not too complicated to get your passport replaced.

• Depending on how expensive your plane, train or bus tickets are, you may want to purchase travel insurance just in case something does go differently than you plan.

• Now when I go to a bar, restaurant or café, I’m careful to keep my purse, whether or not it has my passport in it, hooked over my knee.

• Many people recommend you carry copies of your travel documents in a separate bag. For my friend in Barcelona, having photocopies of her passport helped speed up the process of getting a replacement.

• It may also help to keep your bank’s telephone number with you so that, if your credit or debit cards are stolen, you can notify them immediately.

• If something like this happens it is important to stay as calm as possible. No matter how difficult the situation, it is something you have to handle and staying calm will make doing so much easier.

No matter what happens, travelling is about the memories you make, and whether you return home with positive or slightly complicated memories, you will certainly return with stories to share.

-Christine Fisher

Christine Fisher is a freelance journalist and contributing editor at World Reviewer. Normally based in Philadelphia, Christine is currently working and living in London.

Conquering London One Tube Stop at a Time

Originally published on Pink Pangea

By Christine from United Kingdom on 2010 November 23

Little else gives me a sense of independence, pride and safety like grasping a city’s public transportation. When I conquer a city’s public transit system, I know I can conquer the city. Even better, I can do so without relying on anyone else and the sooner I can explore a city, the sooner I can learn to love the city.When I moved to London for a semester abroad the Tube map looked like little more than an overwhelming, jumble of intertwined, bending lines and colours. During my first nights in the city, navigating the Tube, getting lost and finding my way again consumed hours of my time.

To help you safely explore, conquer and fall in love with London without the hassle and potential danger of getting lost, I put together some helpful public transportation pointers.

The Tube: The Tube is London’s underground system and a hugely popular form of public transportation with over 3.5 million journeys per week. While the Tube will get you nearly anywhere you want to go, it has eleven main lines and can get a bit confusing. Before riding the tube, try to get a small map of the system – available in most stations and large transportation hubs.

Buses: London buses go hand in hand with the Tube. Though the Tube closes around midnight, many buses run 24 hours. Bus lines weave throughout the city, which is great for accessibility, but I have yet to find a coherent, comprehensive bus map so it can be difficult to find which bus is best for you.

Transportation for London: Luckily London is serviced by the Transportation for London website, tfl.gov.uk. Transportation for London can help you plan your journey utilizing all forms of public transit and ensuring the most efficient route. It is helpful to check the website before any journey because it will post any delays or construction, both of which are especially common on the weekends. The site includes information on walking, bus, tram and rail routes as well.

It is important to plan your journey before you leave to make sure you do not end up lost or stranded in a “dodgy” neighbourhood. Transportation for London is the best resource for thinking ahead.

Cabs: When the Tube or Buses do not suit you, black cabs and mini cabs can take you from point A to B (or points C through Z for that matter). All licensed taxi drivers in London must pass the Knowledge, an extensive examination of all routes and destinations in the city. Some drivers study for up to three years for the Knowledge, and as a result, taxis are a reliable way of getting around the city.

Black cabs are the traditional London taxis, and though their drivers are knowledgeable, they are metered cabs and can be quite pricey. Another option is minicabs. While black cabs can be hailed on the streets, minicabs must be ordered at an office or by phone. Throughout the city you will find storefronts with signs for minicabs and a flashing light. Minicabs can be called from these stations or ordered over the phone. These cabs quote you a price at the start of your journey so you do not have to worry about watching the meter.

For another perspective on using cabs in London read fellow Pink Pangea contributor Rachel’s post “Hailing a Cab in London.”

No matter how you travel through London, travelling to London is an incredibly rewarding experience, and learning to navigate the city on your own can make your trip all the more fulfilling.

Christine Fisher is normally based in the United States but is currently studying abroad in London where she works as a contributing editor for World Reviewer and freelance journalist.

Tags – black-cabs, buses, cabs, dodgy, london, minicabs, public-transit, study-abroad, the-tube, transportation, world-reviewer