A Travel Survivor Guide

for Today’s Traveler By Amandah Tayler Blackwell

A Brief Introduction

Traveling in the Modern World

Types of Survival Tactics

I

1

2

Table of Contents

1

How to Read Body Language

How to Tap into Your Intuition

Stay Safe While Traveling

3

4

5

Table of Contents

2

Conclusion

Resources

Stay in touch with BlackwellTravel.com.

C

R

S

Table of Contents

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A Brief Introduction to Travel Survivor Guide I

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Travel Survival

Guide

Admit it.

You may be scared to travel because of the constant fluctuation of

TSA levels and terrorists acts and threats. I understand.

In 1997, I wanted to travel to the UK. My mom was supportive

because I was in my early 20s. But my dad, a U.S. Army veteran,

flipped out.

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Travel Survival

Guide

In fact, he insisted on going with me. I wasn’t thrilled about this. Why? Because I wasn’t planning on coming back to the U.S. I wanted to stay in the UK, get a work VISA, find a job and work and study abroad. Call it ‘father’s intuition’ (my mom knew that I wanted to study and live abroad), but I think he knew that I wanted to stay in the UK and experience life abroad.

Why not live in the UK? It’s an amazing country! You can live in one country and easily visit the other three. How cool is that?

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Travel Survival

Guide

Alas, my dad joined me on my escorted coach tour of Great

Britain (England, Wales and Scotland). Why? Because he was

afraid that if something happened, I wouldn’t know what to do.

That I would freak out and that he, a U.S. Army veteran would

have to fly “across the pond” and rescue me.

I’m not kidding. My dad tried on his military uniform and showed

me that it still fit him.

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Travel Survival

Guide

Since I come from a military family, I decided to share the survival

tips and tricks I’ve learned throughout the years. One of which is

to know how to spot a “leader” in the time of crisis. Tip: A leader is

highly engaged, very empathetic, inclusive, composed, and more.

The survival tactics I learned from my dad can be applied to any

travel situation, domestic or foreign. Not only will you stay safe

while traveling, but you’ll have a great time.

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Travel Survival

Guide

You’ll also become a smarter and savvier traveler. Let’s face it;

there’s nothing worse than being labeled as a “tourist.” And it may

do more harm than good.

Read on to find out how to travel in the modern world how to stay

safe while traveling and more.

Travel on,

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Traveling in the Modern World 1

10

Traveling and

Technology

Thanks to the internet and smartphones, traveling has become

somewhat of an entertainment or sport. You better behave

yourself, or you may end up on YouTube with 1 Million views!

Many people, including parents and kids, have been kicked off

airplanes because they were seen as a ‘threat’ or disruption to

passengers. Hey! Babies and toddlers cry. That’s life.

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How Has Travel

Changed

Traveling, whether you take a cruise vacation, 2-week escorted coach tour, or

solo vacation, has changed throughout the years. You have to get to the airport

2-3 hours before your scheduled flight in order to get through TSA

(Transportation Security Administration). Hopefully, you’re not selected for a

random ‘extra’ check (this happened to my aunt).

Your family can’t walk and sit with you at your gate and wish you Bon Voyage!

as you board your plane for a tropical destination. Instead, you have to say

your goodbyes at the airport curb, via phone, email or text, or the day before.

12

?

Traveling in the Modern World RULES:

• Go through TSA (security check).

• Follow TSA guidelines, i.e., packing and bringing medicines and toiletries.

TECHNOLOGY:

• Internet.

• Smartphones.

• Social media.

TYPES OF TRAVEL:

• Air.

• Cruise line.

• Land.

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Types of Survival Tactics 2

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I Will Survive Travel!

When you travel, especially out of the country, it’s important to

pay attention to TSA alerts about terrorists threats (keeping it

real). While you don’t want fear to keep you from traveling, you

want to be smart about travel. For example, if you want to visit a

country that has a high threat alert, you may want to postpone

your visit.

Common sense goes a long way! Don’t put yourself in dangerous

situations.

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What Could Happen

When Traveling?

Let’s face it; anything may happen when you travel. For example, in 2014 a

“disgruntled employee torched a suburban Chicago air traffic facility and tens

of thousands of travelers scrambled as thousands of flights were abruptly

cancelled.” What would you do if this happened to you?

Whether you travel with a group or on your own, you’ll want to know some

travel survival tactics. These range from knowing how to perform CPR to

knowing how to start a fire, knowing how to find lost luggage and more.

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Travel Survival Tactics BASIC:

• Know how to perform CPR and first-aid.

• Know how to start a fire.

• Know how to conserve body heat.

INTERMEDIATE:

• Know how to get money quickly.

• Know how to secure a place to stay.

• Know how to find safe foods to eat.

• Know how to find and treat water for drinking.

ADVANCED:

• Learn how to get out of jail in a foreign country.

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How to Read Body Language 3

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Body Language

Shows and Tells All

What is body language? It’s the way people communicate

nonverbally through conscious or unconscious gestures and

movements.

The benefits of knowing how to read body language (see next

section) are two fold. First, you react to the world around you.

Second, your reaction benefits others. For example, if you eat

something sour, the expression on your face will tell others that

you tasted something unpleasant.

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How to Read Body

Language

You can learn a lot about a person by observing his or her body language. A

simple gesture, such as arms folded over the chest, can tell you that the or she

is nervous, defensive, or feeling negative towards someone

Keep in mind that body language can be faked. For example, a person who

has a firm handshake and makes direct eye contact may not be genuine. This

is why it’s important to tap into and develop your intuition (see chapter 4).

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Body Language EYES:

• Looking right and up: Visual imagining,

fabrication, or lying.

• Looking right and down: Accessing feelings.

• Widening eyes: Interest, appeal, or invitation.

MOUTH

• Pasted smile: Fake smile.

• Tight-lipped smile: Secrecy or withholding feelings.

• Smile, head tilted and looking up: Coy, playfulness,

or teasing.

LEGS AND FEET:

• Uncrossed legs, sitting: Openness.

• Crossed legs, sitting: Caution, disinterest.

• Ankle lock, sitting: Defensiveness.

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How to Tap into Your Intuition 4

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Trust Your Gut!

Sonia Choquette, a spiritual teacher, six-sensory consultant,

enchanting storyteller, and transformational visionary guide, tells

her audience, “Trust your vibes.” This means you don’t judge

what you’re thinking or feeling.

To make sure you’re not coming from your ego (fear based) and

judging, tune into your mind and body. Do you just know that you

know something? Does your gut or jaw feel tight? These are good

indicators that your intuition is trying to get your attention.

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How to Develop

Your Intuition

To develop your intuition, stop judging what you think and feel! For example, a

judgment is, “I’m afraid because that person’s a different ethnicity than me.”

This is pure judgment. Intuition says, “I’m getting a not-so-good vibe from

speaking with this person and need to walk away now.”

You can also develop your intuition by meditating, testing your hunches,

spending time in nature, practicing picking up on people’s vibes, and more.

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INTUITION BASIC DEVELOPMENT:

• Meditate.

• Release resistance.

• Shake up your daily routine.

STRENGTHEN:

• Clear your mind by journaling.

• Clear out the clutter and stress from your life.

BENEFITS:

• Reduce stress.

• Improve emotional, mental and physical health.

• Tap into your subconscious mind.

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Stay Safe While Traveling 5

26

How to Stay Safe

While Traveling

With attacks happening at popular destinations, you may be too

scared to travel. Even though the world may seem to be a wonky

place right now, you don’t have to allow fear to prevent your from

traveling.

Keep in mind that you have no control over the thoughts, feelings,

beliefs, or actions of others. You can only be responsible for you.

If you give into others, you’ll only strengthen their control over

you. You don’t want that, do you?

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Travel Safety Tips

It may seem like common sense, but be aware of your surroundings. When

you leave your hotel, observe everyone around you. Does anyone look

suspicious? Do you see anything that looks out of place, like unattended

luggage? According to the U.S. State Department’s website, “U.S. citizens

should exercise vigilance when in public places or using mass transportation.

Be aware of immediate surroundings and avoid crowded places. Exercise

caution during religious holidays and at large festivals or events.”

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Travel Safety BASIC

• Be aware of your surroundings.

• Don’t act like a tourist.

• Give your itinerary to a trusted family member or friend.

INTERMEDIATE:

• Know how to perform first-aid.

• Know how to speak different languages.

• Know where the U.S. Embassy is located when traveling abroad.

• Know self-defense techniques.

ADVANCED:

• Enroll in a variety of travel safety courses.

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Conclusion to Travel Survivor Guide C

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Go Travel!

I created this handy-dandy “travel survivor” guide because I

wanted to empower you to travel or continue to travel, even

though the world may seem scary at times.

Please remember the words of Mark Twain, “Travel is fatal to

prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our

people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome,

charitable views of men/women and things cannot be acquired by

vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.”

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Resources R 32

Travel Resources

Check out these travel resources:

https://www.usa.gov/travel-abroad

http://www.blackwelltravel.com/blog

http://amzn.to/1NJEgEx [Safety Whistle]

http://amzn.to/1TlBCBs [Doorstop]

http://shop.eaglecreek.com/lightweight-carry-on/l/111 [Carry-on luggage]

http://bit.ly/1VZiXBv [Lonely Planet Guidebooks]

http://amzn.to/1VZjvau [The Food Traveler's Handbook by Jodi Ettenberg]

http://amzn.to/1TlC7eG [Point it: The Traveler’s Language Kit]

*Note: I am not receiving an affiliate commission from Amazon, Lonely Planet, etc.

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Stay in touch with Blackwell Travel.com S

34

Keep in Touch with

Blackwell Travel

Let’s connect!

You can connect with me on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Email me at amandah@blackwelltravel.com.

Sign up for my newsletter at http://www.blackwelltravel.com.

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A Travel Survivor Guide

for Today’s Traveler By Amandah Tayler Blackwell

Copyright 2016. All rights reserved. Blackwell Travel | Assoc. of Simply Dream Travel