Don't do this when traveling

[WillTravel]

Here's an example of what not do do when traveling:

www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/07/21/missing-traveller050721.html

This woman had been keeping in regular touch with her family. Then she lost her wallet, and had absolutely no backup source of funds or credit. She was too proud to call to ask for help, so her family was more or less having a nervous breakdown for five weeks. The happy thing is that the Bolivian villagers helped her learn how to make jewelry so she could make some money, so she could finally go to an Internet cafe. At that point, she saw their worried messages. Somehow the fact they would be worried hadn't occurred to her. This was a 32-year-old woman!

For your own safety and the well-being of your friends and family, have a regular check-in plan.

[Kim]

Oh good lord! My mother/husband/sister/friends would have killed me! One collect call to someone would have arranged funds and saved all those people the worry!

For everyone heading to Europe, especially those going for extended periods of time, email now a days makes staying in touch very each. It will give those at home peace of mind and internet cafes are absolutely everywhere so you have no excuse!

Kim

[Eagle]

W.T., thanks for posting that. Although this scenario took place in South America, it could have easily happened in Europe also.

With regard to the individual involved, I'm not sure whether to classify her as "not too bright" or just "naive". It seems to be common knowledge among most of us here that using a Money Belt or other means to protect credit cards, Passport and airline tickets is essential!

While she may have been raised to be "independent" she was apparently not too clever in the "consideration department"! Allowing friends and family to worry for five weeks and assume some terrible fate had befallen her, and allowing others to possibly spend funds mobilizing a search effort, was NOT too considerate IMHO.

As Kim said, one phone call would have set the wheels in motion to get the cash and Passport situation corrected through the nearest Canadian Embassy. I've provided a "Call Me" plan through Telus for my Sons so that NO funds are needed to call home, just in case of such emergencies - all they have to do is dial a "special" number and the call is charged to my bill at a cheaper rate than going through an Operator (which I believe is necessary with a standard collect call).

Oh well, at least everything turned out OK in the end and I'm sure this will be a valuable learning experience for her.

Cheers!!!

[dougj]

that person sounds like a moron.
let's see...I'm in a foreign country, I have no money, I didn't bother to make copies of my financial documents or stash some backup cash...family and friends haven't heard from me in weeks, no they wouldn't be worried.....jeez.....some people. too proud to ask for emergency assistance....right.

[jennifer]

I would have been killed the minute I said foot back home for the worries I have caused!

[beth]

this lady is an idiot...... there is no way that she could not have known people were wondering where she was..... kind of reminds me of ole' crazy eyes jennifer wilbanks...........

[Libby]

She sounds like a bit of a tool.

Maybe she's just one of those people who lack common sense. I've a friend like that. Brilliant, PHD Brilliant, but she didn't think she needed a passport to visit Scotland because her family was originaly from there.