Traveling tips - lesson 1: dealing with the police

I've encountered many strange situations while traveling, and one of the main issues of any traveler is most likely to be the risk of being robbed. There are thieves like you see them in movies with knives and stuff, and there're the ones you come across when you're really traveling. The first ones probably do exist. Fortunately, I've never encountered them before, but I reckon you find them in particular places, like dark streets, large cities in the middle of the night, when nobody is watching. Best is just to avoid those places. Most likely, the thieves that will rob you will be completely unsuspected. All they need, is a good excuse to get close to you. The police in uniforms for example, are the perfect undercover to get close enough to rip your money off you. After several years of traveling experience, I've formulated the following tips that have been useful in many situations.

1 - The first thing that the police should ask you when you're traveling, are your documents. If they ask you too many other questions before, you should be start being alert. Foreigners are usually convinced that the police has no right to touch you. I think that when you're in a foreign country, there's no way you can really know what the local behavior should be when approached by the police. For this reason, the first thing you should do during a police control, is ask for the police man´s working ID. There are two reasons why you should do this. First, you can make sure that the person you're dealing is actually is a police man. Secondly, it make's the policeman understand that you are in possession of his personal information, information that you could potentially report if ever he had any bad intentions - like robbing you for example. If ever he refuses to show you his ID, be really suspicious, call for help, or do what's necessary to be taken to the police station. Find the reason for this in the following paragraph...

2 - The second tip against the risk of robbery is only theoretical, and issued from my studies in sociology. But it just seems to have worked so far. People in their natural or usual social environment have a reputation. They're in an area where they have a name - where people know them - because simply, they live, work or just hang out there. Therefor, there are other eyes to look upon them, and make sure that they aren't doing anything stupid. For this reason, you should be able to trust the common street person, especially if he seems to just be hanging out, or just sitting there looking at people and cars go by. On the other hand, the police patrol is NEVER in their natural environment. Therefor, it is more likely for them to do something silly -like robbing your for example - , especially when there's only a small number of them, like in the case of a motorcycle patrol. This is valid not only in the case of the police, but for any individuals that don't seem to be at home. Therefor: trust more the locals who are socially controlled - trust less the aliens who have nothing to loose, and less at stake if they rob you! Borders and stations are therefor also spots of potential risk. For this reason, if the police won't cooperate, call for the locals to help. If you're taken to the police station, then the policemen will all be in their natural environment, where they must all behave!

3 - In case none of the previous pieces of advice prove to be efficient, then you ought to have respected this third tip, which is usually natural to any traveler. It is essential to separate the locations in which you keep your money. Not only does it make it more difficult for the police to find it. If you're lucky, they might miss out on some spots, but more especially, you'll notice if they start showing some suspicious interest in the places where you keep money, when they start collecting your bank notes and other means of payment. In this case, turn back to the basics reaction and scream for help!

Cuba

03.05.11

Right, It's been 5 days or so sine I'm BACK from Cuba. I actually made it there. What an adventure it was to get there.
Cuba is a fantastic place. Very tourist friendly. They have all the infrastructure there.Not like Venezuela! I'm currently in Caracas and I'vve met loads of people here. So instead of waisting time sedning info here that nobody reads anywy, I'll send a few pics this evening.

But for sure: Cuba is a place to visit before it changes.

PS: Special thanks to those of you (Ms. M) who have inspired me to go there!!!



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18.04.11.

Yeah well I'm meant to be in Cuba right now. I never left Venezuelian soil. It would be a mirracle if I actually got there within the next 48 hours...

Caribbean coast near Santa Marta

16.04.11.

What a life hre!just come out of Tayrona park- 2 days on screen saver like beaches, and a two day treck through the jugnle. was fabulosu! Treck was exhausting but took us through parts that were completely unsuspected. Came accross ruins of an old pre colombian city on the top of the mountain. It was a four hour walk from any road or beach, and given the heat, there was obviously nobody there. We found indigeinous children playing on a tree as thick as a house. They were dressed like dobby in Harry Potter: with nothing more than what seemed to be a pillow case. They were just as dirty as well. On the way down to the road that was meant o take us back to santa marta, we didn't tget to the road on time. People in this area comunicate by sending signals that sound like animals. We answered one and they automatically responded in spanish. A family invited us to their farm set on the top of a hill. They offered us a simple but very heavy dibnner, and we spent the night in our hammocks, in theyr front balcony... The fañily had 6 children and three grand children in a place made of wood, no electricity, and the size of the sitting room in Saint-maur. Fantastic experience talking to them.

Same story[ will send pics when internet will be free.
now heading to the venezuelian boarder.

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I just woke up on a beach of Santa Marta, on the Caribbean coast. Didn't use a cover or a jumper all night. The fealing when opening your eyes on a white beach under a couple of palm trees is now definitely on my personal top 100 things to experience in life before you die!

Should be meeting up with my mate Frank today, to head towards another part of the coast together. We'll make an attempt in exploring the Ciudad PErdida together. Maybe some argentinian and Finnish friends will join us.