Okay, so folks sometimes ask me how I handle myself when I find myself in places where things are a bit… unpredictable, politically speaking. It’s not about being some kind of action hero, far from it. It really boils down to practical steps I learned, mostly the hard way, through actually being in those situations. It started years ago on a trip that went sideways fast, and I realized textbook knowledge wasn’t going to cut it.
Getting Ready Before Things Got Messy
The first time I really had to think about this stuff seriously, I was already in-country when tensions started rising. So, preparation became about adapting right then and there. Here’s what I started doing:
- Dress Down: I immediately packed away anything that screamed ‘tourist’ or ‘money’. Bright clothes, flashy watch, expensive sunglasses – all put away. I aimed for plain, unremarkable clothes, the kind locals might wear for everyday stuff. Blending in became priority number one.
- Learn Key Phrases: Beyond ‘hello’ and ‘thank you’, I focused on practical stuff. ‘Is it safe here?’, ‘Which way?’, ‘Problem?’, ‘Police’, ‘Help’. Even poorly pronounced, trying shows respect and can be incredibly useful. I scribbled them down phonetically on a small notepad I kept in my pocket.
- Map It Out: I got a physical map of the city/area. Didn’t rely just on my phone, batteries die, signals drop, phones get stolen. I spent time just looking at it, figuring out main routes, back streets, locations of my embassy, hospitals, police stations.
- Cash Strategy: Went to a bank, got smaller denominations. Avoided carrying a fat wallet. I split the cash into several small stashes – some in my wallet, some in a hidden pocket, maybe a bit in my shoe. If you lose one stash, you don’t lose everything.
- Info Gathering (Low Key): Started paying more attention to local news, but more importantly, listened to everyday people. The hotel staff, shopkeepers, taxi drivers. Didn’t pry, just listened during casual chats. They often have a better sense of the real mood and dangerous spots than official news.
Staying Alert While Out and About
Once I had my basic prep sorted, moving around required constant awareness. It wasn’t about being paranoid, just observant.
Situational Awareness: This sounds fancy, but it just means watching what’s going on. Are streets suddenly empty? Is there tension in the air? Are people gathering? If my gut felt weird about a situation or a street, I didn’t push it. I turned around, found another way. No shame in being cautious.
Avoid Crowds: Big gatherings, protests, even large celebrations – I learned to steer clear. They can turn volatile quickly, and it’s easy to get caught up, intentionally or not. Didn’t matter whose side they were on.
Move Purposefully: Walked like I knew where I was going, even if I was a bit lost. Looking hesitant makes you a target. Head up, observe, keep a steady pace.
Night Moves: Tried to limit travel after dark. If I had to go out, I stuck to well-lit main roads or took trusted transport (like a hotel car or a driver recommended by someone reliable). Avoided shortcuts through dark alleys.
Checkpoints: If I encountered police or military checkpoints, I stayed calm. Had my ID/passport easily accessible, but not obviously displayed beforehand. Followed instructions politely, answered questions simply and honestly. No sudden movements, no arguments. Just complied quietly.
Keeping Lines Open and Knowing When to Leave
Staying safe also meant having backup plans and communication sorted.
Communication Plan: Made sure someone back home knew my rough itinerary and had check-in times. A simple message like ‘All okay today’ was enough. If they didn’t hear from me, they knew who to contact (embassy, etc.). Used multiple methods if possible – email, messaging apps, even knowing where public phones were.
Monitoring the Situation: Kept tabs on the news, embassy alerts, and local chatter about the overall stability. Paid attention to airport status, road closures, border situations. Knowing potential exit routes and their status is crucial.
Exit Strategy: Had my important documents (passport, visas, tickets) always ready to go, usually in a waterproof bag. If things felt like they were deteriorating significantly, I didn’t wait until the last minute. Getting out before everyone else tries to is much smoother and safer. Packed light from the start so I could move quickly if needed.
So, that’s basically it. No magic tricks. It’s about being low-key, aware, prepared, and using common sense. Thinking ahead, adapting on the fly, and respecting the local reality goes a long way. It’s kept me out of serious trouble so far, just required being mindful and proactive instead of just drifting along.
