Alright, send the hate mail in. I’m ready. Friends. Readers. People I’ve never met. When I did research about Quito, and when I meet foreigners visiting Quito, all I hear about is one thing – the Mariscal. “Yeah, we heard you should check out the Mariscal,” “The Mariscal is so dangerous,” “The Mariscal is where…
Category: Break Barrier 2: Safety
Safetyyyy
I personally hate talking about safety. It’s like wanting to talk about tacos and then having discussions about at what temperatures taco meat cultivate bacteria.
But, if we’re really gonna be thorough about how to create the finer things in life, it has to be discussed. Here we go.
Stay safe abroad
“Aren’t you afraid of getting taken?” Um…. no. Don’t worry, if you asked me that question, I’m not specifically writing about you because I’ve been asked it more times than I can count. Y’all need to stop watching T.V. or something. Before I sound too rude, let me explain that danger is a real thing….
Confidence: fake it until you make it
Alright, sista. Get your mean face on. I used to laugh when I would realize how differently I walk down the street in Quito, Ecuador, a city of three million people where I stick out like a sore thumb versus how I am in the town I grew up in. I look rude. I’m not…
Beware of the street food
Street food at your own risk. There’s something about those people who try everything, never worry, and never get sick. You know what I mean? They take every risk in the books and nothing happens so it only emboldens them to take more risks. They’re gonna eat the street food, love it, and be fine….
Safety
(This is the start of a safety series of various thoughts I will be hashing out the next few weeks…) Something could happen to you anywhere, even at home, and tons of people travel all the time to other countries and have nothing but wonderful experiences. What it really comes down to is this: is…
The world is not…
Alright United-Statesians. I have a bone to pick with you (us.) Most of the world sees our country as one of the most powerful, influential countries on this planet. And that is probably true. But we also have some pretty incorrect assumptions about the rest of the world. I’m a little embarrassed to even write…
Language barriers
I have a confession. I always write about how you can travel, how it’s more about overcoming our comfort-zone limits than actually figuring out how to travel. But I gotta tell you. It’s hard when you don’t speak the language. Granted, it adds a bit of a fun twist as life becomes a constant game…
Safe taxi tips in Ecuador
Here are a few tips of how to take steps to make riding taxis more safe: Only ride legal vehicles, ones with the registration number (you can also use the Uber app.) Don’t get into unmarked vehicles. Send someone your taxi number and about when you should arrive, and that you’ll text them when you…
Consider your stuff
Here are 7 tips that relate to buying travel-effective stuff that can add to your safety: Get good stuff, I love the Travelon backpack and purse Have copies of important info in different places. Have money in different places. Anything you carry could get stolen. Just have that mindset. Don’t show your stuff or money….
Comfort Zones
Comfort zones grow slowly – but when they’re big, you’re so free.And it’s so fun. And every step, one step at a time, can be exhilarating along the way… So I’m letting you in on my travel strategy here. When I first moved to Ecuador four years ago, I was terrified. I was nervous, feared for…