Blog of Rion Freeberg

Here are some of my tips from being an experienced world traveler.  I’ve been in some of the more relatively ‘dangerous’ parts of the world; Indonesia, Colombia, Brasil.

My tips here are geared more towards men.  The main thing is to actually ‘know you belong’.  You don’t want to stand out like a ‘tourist’.  The energy you project is one of the most important things.

If you have a strong, self-assured, independent, ‘minding your own business vibe’ like I always carry, you are FAR less likely to be seen as a victim of mugging or drama.  Even a bit of ‘don’t mess with me – stay away’ vibe can work to your advantage as well.

Another thing is to stay away from obviously dangerous areas like really poor areas, favelas or barrios unless you’re with a group (and in daylight).  You don’t want to really ‘stand out’ either.  Because I look so international, I guess that works to my advantage to blend in.

I could actually pass as South American in many parts (and have) but if you are pasty white and really stand out, you may really have to be more conscious of things, not to look like a super-tourist gringo.  It really helps to know some of the language to get around anyways and look like you belong.

Don’t wear flashy jewelry and the like when you’re going out at night.  Talk with assurance to any cab drivers and know where you’re headed.  In some countries where they are more forthcoming and aggressive you almost want to ‘match’ that vibe in communicating with them – you just don’t want anyone mistaking you for a ‘weak’ tourist that they can prey upon but that you know how to handle yourself and know the area.

People recommend to travel with a buddy but I don’t always do that.  I’ve walked along Avenida Atlantica in Rio several times alone without any issue.  A physical presence and awareness can really help you out.

If you appear like a victim or are ‘afraid’ to be in certain areas, that is going to come across and you’re going to stand out more as a potential victim.  Take some self defense classes and work on your physical energy.

I have avoided a lot of trouble by not looking for trouble but being more strong and direct in communicating with people I’m not sure about or who seem kind of sketchy.  Some people just ‘attract trouble’.  You don’t want to be that guy.  There were some guys in the Army who just always attracted trouble or who would have trigger hair tempers.  Those are guys that will keep attracting trouble.  Instead you want that, self-confident ‘staying out of other people’s business’ vibe.

This has got me through Indonesia, Brasil and other areas which ARE dangerous at the wrong time and place.  Do your best not to attract that.  Be sensible and mindful at all times.  Travel with discreet luggage.  Use luggage locks and ALWAYS carry a laptop wire lock if you use a laptop…out of sight out of mind.

On the Colombian overnight bus, I just kept the bag underneath me latched around my legs and made sure no one could access it from behind.  It’s just about being mindful and having a ‘presence’ over your stuff will avoid most trouble.  Always keep your bag with you.

There are laptop thieves in some countries who will come by on bikes or grab things real fast so don’t be holding things out in the open.  Latch your camera around you if you’re using it.  Watch out for open beer bottles.  In some places they can ‘put something’ like a pill into your drink.  This happened to me once but I was still fine because my hotel was close and I just fell asleep fast.

Get a local map and have an idea where you are.  Generally it’s not smart at all to be walking around at night in sketchy areas.  If so, do it with forward confidence and look like you know where you’re going.  If you see potential trouble down a certain side street even if it’s on your route, avoid it.  Stay in well lit, public areas whenever possible.

When some over-talkative Indonesian man on a bus wanted my U.S. address to ‘send me things’ I politely yet confidently refused.  I was the first American many of those people ever had seen in Pacitan, Indonesia.  Know some locals if at all possible.  I had a tour guide with Plan International who was a local and informed me of some of the local advice.

You may find lower class people who want to help you out with directions with the expectation of something in exchange.  This exists in the U.S. as well.  Be forward and confident with them so as things don’t go too far.  I usually politely yet confidently refuse.  If they follow you and give you good advice, then give them something fair but modest in exchange and then wave them off.

When I was searching for apartments in Rodadero, there were some sketchy peligroso guys who wanted to help me out.  My main thing was that I didn’t want to keep being pestered by them the whole month I was going to live there, so I looked at some apartments and it was really my assertiveness in knowing what I liked and what I didn’t like and just how I dealt with them.

After I booked something I was also ‘in’ with the owner of the hotel where I rented a room for a month who also had ‘clout’ in that area – and they had a secure ‘buzz in’ gate.  I was sure to get something ‘secure’ and it was on like the 12^th floor.

After I came back down, I knew they wanted something in return so I had them order some soda’s and bread and I just paid for everything.

They wanted to pressure me into other things later but I said “not interested…I’m fine thanks” and kept walking towards my destination.  Eventually they got the idea.  True confidence is the best prevention.  Try to blend in and be like a local…know your way around.

In certain countries, don’t carry your wallet in your front OR back pockets..instead use a travel pouch* underneath your clothing to secure the basics.  I started relaxing and thought I was fine because generally people don’t mess with me but in Las Ramblas there were 2 incidents.

One where a group of ugly mahoo’s came up touching me and they had lifted my wallet until I started creating some strong drama as a friend said to ‘check my pockets’ and they had left it on the ledge.  I leveraged getting the police over here which is something you can use in their language and be REALLY ASSERTIVE in a situation like that.

Another time, we were out late and I didn’t even know it had been lifted…there are real pro’s at pick-pocketing who work around Las Ramblas in Barcelona and they stole my wallet without me even noticing for 2 hours (AND my back pocket wasn’t even ‘loose’).  Because of good karma, I later got the wallet returned via Facebook (another story but they took the cash).

If you have a room safe, use it.  I usually only carry 1 or 2 good ATM cards with me and SOME local currency – not a whole lot.

REALLY be protective if you’re going to Barcelona..everyone has a story or knows someone who has things stolen.  I had to lend cash to a friend who had 500 Euro stolen which he had withdrawn because of a scheme involving a woman and her lifting partner.

So anyways, there’s some practical and experienced advice for ‘staying safe’ in some of the more sketchy areas of the world.  Try and room in a higher class part of town if at all possible or near a tourist district.

Research ahead online to see what kind of crime there is…often it’s just petty theft or muggings.  When someone broke in to a neighbor’s apartment late at night (I stay up late) I came out with a very loud aggressive voice as they were scuffling and then that helped him to take off.  From that point I kept a frying pan (and NOT afraid to use it) right near the glass window and door so that they could get an idea of what would be in store for them.

If you’ve got a Marine sticker that can work as well as a deterrent.

Attract safety instead of danger!