Travel Mishaps and how to avoid them!
By Maryella Blundo
Passport Lost of Stolen
Before you travel, make copies of your passport. Leave one copy in your room, keep one in your pocket, and give another to a friend or family member at home.This way the copies can be fax directly to a consulate as soon as possible. (find one at usembassy.state.gov).
Sickness while away
Falling ill anywhere, can be scary but especially so in a foreign country. Don't hesitate to go to the hospital, conceirge desks have this information at there fingertips If you don't need emergency treatment but could still use some meds, use a guidebook to translate and write down your symptoms, and then head to a pharmacy. Hand the paper to the pharmacist -- you don't want to take a chance mispronouncing your maladies. Or have the conceirge write up a note for you explaing to the pharmasist what is wrong, this way you can
Lessen the chances of getting sick by obtaining the appropriate vaccinations and medications. Before you go, research recommended vaccinations through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (cdc.gov/travel) and visit your doctor two months in advance to get the right meds. And contact a hospital that has a travel center specifically for this type of vaccination. Your travel specialist should be able to provide a list with any trip you take of the recommended places in your specific area.
Getting Lost
Don't panic. Your best bet is to look for or ask directions to a major road. A city's mass transit usually runs along busier streets, so if you can't spot a subway or metro stop, just wait for a city bus to drive by. Take it to the next stop and check the bus map to get your bearings and find your way. Most car rental agencies carry GPS / Navigational systems now, be sure to get one even if it is and extra expense, and also think about renting a walking GPS.
You Miss Your Flight Home
If you've missed your flight, talk to an airline representative right away and call your hotel to put a room on hold in case you won't be able to fly out that day, be sure they won't charge you if you do end up cancelling it. If your flight was canceled and you find yourself in line with everyone else who was supposed to be on your plane, the airlines may pay for your room (but you probably won't get to pick where you stay), but you should reserve a room at your hotel just in case to guarantee you won't be stranded. You should call your travel agent, if you have one while standing in line, often they can fix this and when you reach the counter it will be resolved.
