Hope for the best, and prepare for the worst. That is every traveler’s mantra. If you just hope for the best, you’re in for trouble. If you assume everything is just going to work out, then you may quickly find that your assumptions don’t match reality. Spend as much time as you need to before going on a journey to ensure that you are prepared for all the worst possibilities. Risk assessment may not sound like something fun, but it’s necessary to avoid the worst problems of traveling.
What are some of these worse things that can happen? There are always accidents that can occur when it comes to transportation and traffic. If you have never driven in the place that you are going to, you may be asking for a pretty serious set of risks on the road. Then there’s the matter of eating new food at your destination.
How likely is it that you end up with food poisoning or some other kind of digestive distress if you don’t research what kind of foodborne illnesses might happen. And then there is the matter of cultural issues. Saying the wrong thing or doing the wrong thing at the wrong time can put you in hot water quickly.
Transportation and Traffic
No one wants to get in a vehicle accident while they’re traveling. But it does happen. Statistically, if you’re unfamiliar with an area and driving an exotic vehicle, that’s a recipe for a high-risk situation. There are a few things you can do to prevent possible issues in this case. First, you can brush up on your defensive driving theories. And second, you can try to take taxis instead of driving on your own at your destination.
Food Poisoning or Digestive Distress
Make sure you know the symptoms of food poisoning. You might think that you’re being broad and expanding your horizons by trying street food in an exotic location, but if you end up sick for a chunk of your vacation because of food poisoning, you’ll regret that decision. Having a local tell you which restaurants are safe to eat at for tourists is not a bad idea as well.
Cultural Issues
Some of the simplest things can get you in big trouble abroad when you’re traveling. You should prepare for these instances. For example, because of cultural differences, the way you speak in the way you move can be interpreted differently. If you make the wrong hand gesture in the wrong country, people will be offended. By researching culture ahead of time, you are mitigating the worst potential of a cultural faux pas. Reading a few travel guides will get you started.