Rambo's World Adventure

[marblehouse]



It's been my experience that when tourists are mugged abroad, the first thing muggers do is untuck their shirts and look for a money belt. Try to keep your passport separate from your cash in case you get mugged, so at least you don't lose that.

+ 1. I read a guide that came up with a simple solution: a saran-wrap headband. Easy access to valuables and stacks while also telling muggers: here it is, I freaking dare you to steal it (reverse psychology). [Careful of low-bridges and aqueducts.]

 

[whodini]

Real talk, though. How often have you heard of a tourist in the US getting robbed and having their money belt stolen? Yeah.

 

[globetrotter]

unrelated but funny story - a mexican guy I know who is very "white" - his mother is irish so he is blond with light eyes, was mugged in chicago by some mexicans. they grabbed him and he started basically crying out in very authentic mexican spanish. they were so surprised they dropped him and let him go.

 

[whodini]

Welcome to my life.

 

[GQgeek]



Genius! I'll remember that next time I mug a tourist.
I reckon the likelihood of being pick pocketed is greater than being mugged, so concealing the important stuff is good risk mitigation. That being said, there are tourists who have been literally stripped bare and left at the side of a road; a money belt ain't gonna help you w/ that.

That very much depends on where you are travelling. Maybe pick-pocketing is more common in europe, but many other parts of the world, especially less developed countries with lots of guns, they will just point a gun at you and if you're lucky they won't shoot you. Life is very cheap in some parts of the world.

When I've travelled in places like Colombia, I've always kept enough money to make the muggers very happy if I should get robbed. I don't want them thinking that I'm holding out on them and getting frustrated while they're pointing a gun at me..

The other thing I'd do is setup a second checking account at another bank. Transfer money to that bank as you need it and use that as your walking around card. At worst, if someone compels you to empty your accont, there is not much in it.

 

[Rambo]

What do you guys think about the super tech shirts? They run upwards of $50 and I was thinking about outfitting myself with them. Kind of sold on all this fast drying clothing. Any brand opinions?

 

[Rambo]

Oh, and I think I've narrowed down my bag options:

Osprey Porter 46
Kelty Redwing

Both seem to have solid storage and waist straps. Opinions?

Any other suggestions? The Red Oxx backpack didn't have a waist strap, neither did the Patagonia MLC, the Rick Steeves has wheels which seems rather pointless and heavy, and some of the other options dont fit international carryon airlines.

 

[Piobaire]

You're supposed to be gone by now. Get traveling and post some pictures.

 

[Ambulance Chaser]

I bought the Osprey Porter 46 as a carry-on travel bag after looking at several competitors, including the Patagonia MLC and the Red Oxx bags. I liked the single compartment (no need for divided compartments for casual travel) and storable shoulder straps. I've only taken it on a long weekend trip to Montreal, for which it performed admirably. I recommend it.

 

[Rambo]



You're supposed to be gone by now. Get traveling and post some pictures.

Lol. Only a few more days to go. Pics to come, I promise.

I bought the Osprey Porter 46 as a carry-on travel bag after looking at several competitors, including the Patagonia MLC and the Red Oxx bags. I liked the single compartment (no need for divided compartments for casual travel) and storable shoulder straps. I've only taken it on a long weekend trip to Montreal, for which it performed admirably. I recommend it.

Thanks AC. Appreciate the write up.

 

[KJT]



Your experience is different from mine and everyone else's I know who have been robbed abroad.

+ 1. I read a guide that came up with a simple solution: a saran-wrap headband. Easy access to valuables and stacks while also telling muggers: here it is, I freaking dare you to steal it (reverse psychology). [Careful of low-bridges and aqueducts.]

Real talk, though. How often have you heard of a tourist in the US getting robbed and having their money belt stolen? Yeah.

Sorry bros. Didn't realize that my experience and several people I know who have been robbed abroad was so unique, and thus stupid. I know that when I had a gun pointed at me in Moscow, the first thing the 2nd robber did was untuck my shirt and look for a money belt. Maybe he was looking for a gun.

Rambo have a blast. Look forward to the updates!

 

[Xericx]



What do you guys think about the super tech shirts? They run upwards of $50 and I was thinking about outfitting myself with them. Kind of sold on all this fast drying clothing. Any brand opinions?

I have some ex-officio, undershirt and some underwear. undershirt is not bad, but they all get a bit shiny. I haven't used it extensively, I like light cottons. I have a climacool Adidas soccer jersey which might be ok.
Also have a pretty nice v-neck Lululemon one that is meant for working out and should dry pretty nicely.

 

[acidboy]



What do you guys think about the super tech shirts? They run upwards of $50 and I was thinking about outfitting myself with them. Kind of sold on all this fast drying clothing. Any brand opinions?

won't those dri-fit and clima-cool shirts in the bargain bin do?

 

[musicguy]

Those fast drying columbia shirts are great for hot weather. Always looks dry and keeps you cool. I have one that's labeled Omni-wick and it even looks nice. Costs 80 bucks in Chile... A bit pricey for what it is, but the small fits quite well. Horray for 19% sales tax + import fees the stores add on.

 

[Gradstudent78]



- ditching the iphone and bringing a cheap quadband nokia was discussed earlier. by me and albert.

+1. I have a cheap nokia I've been using for travel that I bought in southeast asia. Inexpensive and I could care less if I lose it. Plus battery charge lasts forever and I use it as an alarm clock.

If you want good/practical information about the places your visiting I recommend using http://wikitravel.org/en/Main_Page
I've found it much better then my lonely planet guides for south east Asia.

The lonely planet forums can also be really useful if you have specific questions.
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/index.jspa