The Walled Obelisk has many names including, “Walled Column” and “Constantine Obelisk”. Located in the former Byzantine Hippodrome, what is now a beautiful park was once where fierce chariot races were held. After the Ottomans conquered the city in 1453, the importance of the Hippodrome wavered yet this column built around the 10th century survived. I happened to stroll through the (now) Sultanahmet Park around sunrise, making my way to the metro stop of the same name a few weeks ago.

Sultanahmet Park, also known as “At Meydani” (in English “Horse Square”), is ground zero for tourism in Istanbul, Turkey. The park is right next to the Blue (Sultan Ahmet) Mosque and Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya) with the underground Byzantine Cistern on the northern edge. Within the park itself and across from the Walled Obelisk is the Obelisk of Theodosius (over 3,000 years old) and the Serpent Tower. Of course my favorite feature of At Meydani is a much more modern addition – the free wi-fi available throughout the park.

----------
For personal updates, highlights from recent posts, and stories and pictures that don't always make it to my blog check out my bimonthly newsletter.

Related posts:

• Turkey Travel Information
• 5 Turkish Cities (Other Than Istanbul) To Add To Your Itinerary
• 5 Popular Tourist Destinations That Won’t Disappoint You

• We’ve got gap years and career breaks but Heather wonders what you’d call her style of travel?

• If you’ve had experience with Kathmandu backpacks Joe would love to get your opinion on them. (Thanks Dave for chiming in!)

• There are lots and lots of useful opinions and recommendations about a variety of travel luggage including this one from Darren.

• You hate luggage fees as much as I do! When it comes to getting around them, Earl and John Bardos offer up some crafty tricks at check-in.

• Dominique suggests you don’t forget the value of a pen when you travel.

• Ataturk’s image may everywhere in Turkey, but he also has special significance in Australia as Mark H points out.

• Gillian highly recommends this free walking tour in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Have a random travel thought you’re just dying to post somewhere – or perhaps can’t wait to write about your incredible August vacation? Now’s your chance, leave a comment and get your own conversation started.

[photo by: Batara (two people chatting)]

----------
For personal updates, highlights from recent posts, and stories and pictures that don't always make it to my blog check out my bimonthly newsletter.

Related posts:

• The Best Comments Of The Month (And Contest Winner): June 2010
• The Best Comments Of The Month: January 2010
• The Best Comments Of The Month: March 2010

Anitkabir

Modern Turkish history and culture is inseparable from the nation’s founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. Anitkabir is Ataturk’s mausoleum and his symbolic tomb there is impressive, but you’ll learn much more in the unglamorous halls to the right of it. Strolling through the narrow corridors you can read many of his philosophies on a wide range of topics, end up in a collection from his personal library, and see why Ataturk’s image is everywhere in Turkey.

• If you want to go for a walk or jog while staying in Ankara, the several kilometer stone path around Anitkabir is an easy one to follow.
• Almost directly across the the entrance to Anitkabir there is also a free outdoor running track with free weights, workout benches, and pull-up bars.

A smaller memorial to Ataturk can be found in the Ankara’s Ethnographic Museum, where he was buried during the construction of Anitkabir. It’s 3 Turkish lira (TL) to enter but art lovers can go next door to visit the free Ankara Resim Heykel Muzesi (Painting and Sculpture Museum) instead which features art from the Ottoman Empire through the present.

The Best View Of The City For Free – Ankara Citadel

Also known as Ankara Kale or Hisar, the walls of this ancient Hittite castle are free and offer the best 360 degree views of Ankara. It’s over several hundred stairs to the top, and much like the path to top of La Basilica in Quito will test any fear of heights. You’ll also wind your way up through a small town and if you get lost the shopkeepers will give you good directions (don’t ask the kids playing the streets though).

• Unless you’re mortified of heights, don’t stop and go all the way up along the edge of the highest wall. There you’ll be able to see all of Ankara from its highest point. See if you can find Anitkabir and Atakule, two of the most recognizable features on the landscape.
• You can get to the Citadel either by getting off at the Ulus metro stop (a ~1.5 kilometer walk) or by taxi. (Tell the driver “Ankara Kale”.)

Speaking of Atakule, it’s a popular tourist attraction but the restaurants at the top are expensive and the view not nearly as impressive as the Ankara Citadel.

Find The Ancient Romans

Located near Ulus Square, in the same area as the Citadel, you’ll find remnants of Ankara’s Roman past. Within short walking distance of the square you’ll find the Temple Of Augustus And Rome, which is free to visit. Also close by is the Column Of Julian, erected in 362 A.D. in honor of the Roman emperor of that same name.

• The easiest way to find both sites is to take the metro (to Ulus) and use a good tourist map of Ankara.

There is also the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations with a recreation of the neolithic site Catalhoyuk. I find this popular museum to be overrated; for a special historical treat visit Konya, one of 5 Turkish cities to add to your itinerary. From there you can take a local bus or rent a car to visit the actual Catalhoyuk, a treat since hardly anyone visits the best preserved and largest Neolithic site in the world. (It is also on the way to Tasucu, a major port for the ferries heading to the Turkish Republic Of Northern Cyprus.) Guides are available at the site open year round and admission is free (although small donations are encouraged).

Many of these places have varying names in Turkish making a good map and the metro the most straightforward approach to finding them. By taxi however, the best way to situate yourself is to tell the driver to go to the “Belis Minaresi” (local name for the Column of Julian) near the “Ulus Meydani”.

Go Pazar (Bazaar) Hopping And Shopping In Ankara

The pazar (bazaar) is an integral part of Turkish tradition and Ankara has its fair share of them although they are slowly losing their relevance in daily life. The bazaars are finding it difficult to compete with modern supermarkets and malls who can deliver more good often for cheaper prices.

• Cikrikcilar Yokusu (Weaver’s Road) – As the name suggests you can find handmade crafts in this area of Ulus at good deals…if you bargain your way to a good price. Up the street there is more shopping at Bakircilar Carsisi.
• Organik Pazari (Organic Bazaar) – Go grocery shopping for a healthy hostel meal at this market which sells locally grown organic produce in the Ayranci district.

There are also two other bazaars worth stopping by if you love markets, the Maltepe Pazari (near the Maltepe Mosque) and the Bahcelievler Pazar. Keep in mind that Mondays are reserved for fresh produce and food products only. Ankara is also booming with modern shopping malls like Armada (with good movie theaters) and stores in Kizilay. All are easily accessible from the Ankara subway system or by taxi.

Pictures And Pitchers

The Kocatepe Mosque‘s confident exterior and elegant interior design is a photographers dream. It also happens to be free as all the mosques in Ankara are. Just remember you’ll have to take off your shoes when entering and be sure to ask if photography is allowed.

• Of course, after a long day sightseeing in Ankara you can enjoy the vibrant local bar scene. There are plenty of places in Cankaya, Ulus, and Kizilay to grab a pint or drink Raki like a Turk.
• Most people begin their trips to Turkey with a stay in Istanbul. Here’s what you can do with 48 hours in Istanbul.

Ankara often gets lost in the bright lights of Istanbul and the shimmering waters of the best beaches in Turkey, but don’t let them prevent you from uncovering the heart of Anatolia.

[photo by: slolee (pazar shopping)]

----------
For personal updates, highlights from recent posts, and stories and pictures that don't always make it to my blog check out my bimonthly newsletter.

Related posts:

• Ataturk’s Mausoleum Anitkabir: Ankara, Turkey
• Turkey Travel Information
• Why Ataturk’s Image Is Everywhere In Turkey

Breaking Down The La Bicicleta Naranja Tours

The company offers four basic tours each lasting around 4 hours. The tours, known as Buenos Aires to the North, Buenos Aires to the South, Lakes and Woods, and Aristocratic Buenos Aires all cost the same price of 105 Argentinian pesos (~$25 USD) and includes a safety helmet and bottle of water or soda. Reservations can be made online and most of the routes are available at least once a weekday.

What To Expect

The atmosphere upon arrival at the La Bicicleta Naranja office is very laid back although they fail to mention that you’ll need to be a fairly confident rider in good shape. Also, the tour routes tend to take you to near busy roadways (difficult to avoid in Buenos Aires) and often right into heavy traffic. Pedaling through rush hour in Buenos Aires on a bicycle might be a bit more adventure than some people are willing to handle.

• Saturday tours groups are usually larger, but there is less vehicular traffic to contend with.
• The guides stop the group in quiet spots along the way to show you important sites and explain the history behind them.
• Groups are typically 8-14 riders.
• To do either the Buenos Aires north or south tour you’ll need to stop by the San Telmo office. For the lakes and woods and aristocratic Buenos Aires tours, make reservations with the Palermo office.
• Tours are usually in English but can be requested in Spanish as well.

The guides do a good job of making the ride a fairly easy one by directing traffic and often flanking the group, particularly in the busier parts of town. The pace is a bit quick although the guides make an effort to keep a tempo everyone is comfortable with – and yes, there is plenty of time to take pictures along the way.

Seeing Buenos Aires By Bike

You can create your own mental map, see the popular sites, and learn a bit of history along the way by zipping through town. Most of the major parts of the city (i.e. La Boca) are covered in La Bicicleta Naranja’s tours, which subtly show you the stark contrasts of class and development between the various Buenos Aires barrios (neighborhoods).

Burning And Learning

Having never taken a bike tour before I somewhat skeptical of the 105 Argentinian peso (~$25 USD) investment for a 4 hour tour of the south side of Buenos Aires. La Bicicleta Naranja‘s thoroughly tiring tours on their bright orange bicycles (hence the company name) were complimented by the tour’s enthusiastic local guides making me not regret the decision. The knowledgeable guides were able to convey a feel for the various parts of the city and infuse a passion for Buenos Aires’ history for visitors new and returning.

[photos by: Pat Pavanelli (La Bicicleta Naranja), GustavoBuriola (Buenos Aires), paula moya (La Boca in Buenos Aires)]

----------
For personal updates, highlights from recent posts, and stories and pictures that don't always make it to my blog check out my bimonthly newsletter.

Related posts:

• Megan Mary Olander Flower Shop In Seattle, Washington
• A Review Of Icelandair
• Have You Ever Felt Bouncy After A Flight, Cruise, Or Car Ride? [POLL RESULTS]

People tend to spend significantly more, no matter what the currency, when prices are displayed without symbols and even more when prices are rounded off or don’t have decimal points. This effect is amplified when the symbols you do read aren’t local to you (like seeing Euro signs when visiting France from the United States).

How To Trick Your Mind With Your Local Currency Symbol

Even travelers who are conscious of their budgets tend to spend more money when doing quick conversions in their heads. To best overcome the symbol effect discovered by Cornell University, it’s best to accurately convert a given price down to the decimal in your home currency, and write it with the appropriate symbol preceding it.

For example, 12 for a salad on a menu might be easy on the eyes, but try writing it as $12 or even better $12.00.

Useful Tools To Converting Prices On The Spot

These are some tools you can use to get accurate currency conversions close to real time so you can save yourself from the “dollar effect”.

• Currency – One of 5 free and useful iPhone apps for travelers, the Currency iPhone app converts in real time and stores the information for quick viewing, even when you don’t have Internet access. (Works on the iPod touch as well.)
• Google – Simply type how much and the currencies you want to convert in the Google search box. For example, “convert 5 USD to GDP”.
• Currency Converter Mac Dashboard Widget – Converts almost all international currencies as well as legacy ones (e.g. German Deutsch mark).
• Currency Converter Gadget Windows 7 – Very similar to the Mac version.

For those of you who don’t have smart phones or dislike carrying them on you, a simple pen and paper with common conversions may help you when ordering a meal that’s “not too expensive.” When all else fails, simply adding a dollar sign next to the prices on any menu (or handy napkin nearby) is likely to subconsciously make you spend less.

Working Against You At Home Too

While the added layer of operating with foreign currency will increase your tendency to spend, the lack of dollar signs has the same effect for you at home too. Hotel and restaurant owners are keening aware of this and manipulate their advertisements and menus to nudge you into spending a few extra bucks. So next time you see a nice rounded off price, convert it into the currency you grew up with (or get paid in) and add the appropriate symbol. Also, don’t forget to add two decimal points over to save even more on your simple travel budget.

[photos by: deltaMike (dollar sign glasses), oskay (pretzel money symbols), cheap eats (menu prices)]

----------
For personal updates, highlights from recent posts, and stories and pictures that don't always make it to my blog check out my bimonthly newsletter.

Related posts:

• How To Figure Out The Best Places To Travel On A Weak Dollar
• 4 Things Every Traveler Without A Plan Should Be Prepared For
• How Would You Put $10 To Good Use For Traveling?

Is It Durable?

That was the first question that popped into my mind when I heard the name “Paperwallet” and it came up again when the company sent me one to review. Although the Paperwallet feels flimsy, under normal use durability doesn’t seem like it would be an issue for at least a year of frequent travel. The completely recyclable Tyvek material the wallet is made out of resembles glossy paper and is difficult to tear.

Practical Uses For The Paperwallet

The Paperwallet makes an excellent travel wallet for those who like to have their money in something, as opposed to just keeping a few bills and a credit card in a pocket.

Keeping your valuables in your front pocket is good protection against pickpockets as is not carrying too much cash on any given outing.

For about $15 though, the Paperwallet can’t beat your front pocket, except to act as a mugger’s wallet. Basically you can keep a few small bills and an unactivated credit card in the Paperwallet so you have something to give up without losing much.

Sleek Designs And Recycle Discount Program

The Paperwallet comes in several solid colors for $14.99 as well as some pretty intricate designs contributed from artists from around the world for 5 dollars more. Paperwallet will also give customers a 15% discount on any replacement wallets they send back to the company to be recycled.

Justifying The Cost

The Paperwallet isn’t big enough to handle a compliment of more than 4 credit or debit cards and gets bulky quickly when holding more than a few bills. This wallet won’t replace the more conventional one you probably have, but makes a good travel wallet when you’re out and about. Budget travelers may not find the expense to be justifiable (especially when the alternatives are free) except that it may be more convincing to potential pickpockets and thieves as opposed to them watching you rummage around your own pockets.

Tell me how you’d use the Paperwallet in the comments below before August 24th (3pm US EST) and I’ll pick my favorite to send the Paperwallet I received to that person. foXnoMad readers will also receive a 10% discount by using the coupon code “Travel” upon checkout at the Paperwallet.com.

----------
For personal updates, highlights from recent posts, and stories and pictures that don't always make it to my blog check out my bimonthly newsletter.

Related posts:

• Use Award Wallet To Keep Track Of All Your Frequent Flyer Miles
• A Review Of The 51 Liter GoLite Pursuit Backpack
• Use Corporate Discounts To Get Better Deals No Matter Who You Work For

Anitkabir is Mustafa Kemal Ataturk’s final resting place. The site itself is massive, with a 260 meter path lined with lion statues based on Hittite art and a ceremonial plaza that can accommodate more than 10,000 people. Inside Anitkabir you can see Ataturk’s symbolic tomb (the actual tomb is below on a lower level not open to the public). Before Anitkabir was completed, Ataturk was buried in the courtyard of Ankara’s Ethnographic Museum where you’ll find this commemorative marble memorial.

Admission to Anitkabir is free but you’ll want to avoid Turkish national holidays since the crowds can be overwhelming. In addition to the tomb inside the Hall Of Honor, you can watch a changing of the guard each hour in the ceremonial plaza. I’ve visited Anitkabir many times since I was a child and have enjoyed the recent addition of a museum which I highly recommend. Ataturk’s words along the hallways as you exit are especially insightful.

You can browse through my pictures from Anitkabir and Ankara and afterward find out why Ataturk’s image is everywhere in Turkey.

----------
For personal updates, highlights from recent posts, and stories and pictures that don't always make it to my blog check out my bimonthly newsletter.

Related posts:

• Why Ataturk’s Image Is Everywhere In Turkey
• La Moneda Palace In Santiago, Chile
• 5 Places to Entertain Kids in Leeds, England

-Mustafa Kemal Ataturk

When traveling in Turkey, you may be wondering who that man is, his image dotting the landscape in statues, whose picture is in almost every hotel, museum, and bank; prominent as the sun throughout the country. One cannot begin to understand Turkish culture without learning about Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, whose ideas flow through the veins of Turkey’s past, present, and future.

Who Is Mustafa Kemal Ataturk?

Simply put, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk is the founder of modern Turkey. Given the name “father of the Turks” (Ataturk) he led Turkey to victory in its War of Independence at the end of World War I against multiple armies. Outside of this impressive military feat however, he also made rapid and radical reforms to Turkish law and society. Among other changes, Ataturk created a strict secular republic, giving women equal rights, and going so far as to change the Turkish alphabet into Latin-script to increase the dismal literary rate at the time. Scientific advancement, religion, and education were all transformed in a matter of a few years.

Ataturk’s Status In Turkey

Both the man Mustafa Kemal and his ideas are widely revered in Turkey as well as protected by law, and travelers should not insult his name or image, even in passing conversation. The Turks feel indebted to Ataturk, who gave them a Turkey well on its way toward economic, social, and political importance on the world stage. Ataturk is as much a part of the Turkish people as he is of the landscape and his images are only a visible representation of that fact.

Where To Learn More About Ataturk

While traveling in Turkey there are several places where you can learn more about Ataturk’s life and legacy.

• Anitkabir (Ankara) – Ataturk’s Mausoleum, Anitkabir is is a giant complex where his tomb is located. Admission is free and in addition to monumental hall, there is a museum with several of his belongings as well as much of his personal library.
• Ataturk Museum (Thessaloniki, Greece) – Born here in 1881 when Greece was a part of the Ottoman Empire, this house was given to the Turkish state by the Greeks in 1935 and converted into a museum. Admission here is also free.
• ANZAC Day Ceremonies and Battlefield – Tens of thousands of Turks, New Zealanders, and Australians visit these battlefields in Gelibolu each year to remember those who died in this important campaign during World War I, particularly on April 24th and 25th. There are several ANZAC memorials around the world, including Canberra, Australia.
• Dolmabahce Palace (Istanbul) – Ataturk’s residence when in Istanbul, he passed away here at 9:05am on November 10, 1938 and this room has been made a memorial. If you’re in Turkey on this day, at exactly that minute, all traffic will stop and people will get out of their cars to observe a moment of silence along with the rest of the nation.
• Ataturk Congress And Ethnographic Museum (Sivas) – The headquarters of the Sivas Congress, called for by Mustafa Kemal, during the Turkish war of independence.

You can also find many other residences of Ataturk preserved in many Turkish cities including his home in Izmir. Whether or not you go looking for him though, you’ll find it impossible to miss Mustafa Kemal Ataturk in Turkey. Smiling on the banknotes, looking down from the walls of every public building, and in the hearts of it’s citizens, Ataturk is more a part of Turkey than his image can ever portray.

----------
For personal updates, highlights from recent posts, and stories and pictures that don't always make it to my blog check out my bimonthly newsletter.

Related posts:

• The Secret Underworld Of Turkish Germany
• 5 Turkish Cities (Other Than Istanbul) To Add To Your Itinerary

Author Dave Fox, the founder of Globejotter Tours, whom I interviewed back in April recently sent me a copy of his latest book Globejotting: How To Write Extraordinary Travel Journals. A book that will resonate with travelers, writers, and bloggers, Globejotting is an entertaining and overall fantastic read. I’ll send my copy to the first person to leave a comment asking for it on this post.

Also, if you’d like to join Dave on his next tour to Vietnam this October and happen to mention you heard about it from foXnoMad, you’ll receive a $300 discount.

Most people would probably cringe at the idea of reading a book about travel journaling, let alone maintain a travel journal themselves. Writing when you’re on “vacation” seems a waste of time, especially when you think a digital camera can do what a journal can in half the time. Dave Fox does a wonderful job to show you the depth that even a few words can bring years after a trip and how to record them effectively in short bursts. Dave teaches a number of techniques, like speed journaling, that will allow you to record your thoughts in minutes for later reconstruction.

Learning Through Example

What really makes Globejotting shine are the numerous examples throughout the book of Dave’s own private travel journals. Born from small instances while traveling and kept alive in a few scribbled words, these are the types of reminisces that a digital photo couldn’t provide. Dave argues a travel journal can help propel your inner journey, even when you’ve physically stopped traveling.

Avoiding The Typical Pitfalls

Dave’s writing is humorous and cuts right to the heart of why many people never write about their travels or buy a travel journal only to abandon it after a few sentences. Bland writing (“the Eiffel Tower was amazing”), stressing out to write a masterpiece with each entry, or fears that someone else may read what you’ve written (“found on your corpse after a horrible plane crash, what will your family think!”) may hold you back but Dave covers those deterrents and more. You’ll find Globejotting a surprisingly entertaining read, available on Amazon for around $10.

----------
For personal updates, highlights from recent posts, and stories and pictures that don't always make it to my blog check out my bimonthly newsletter.

Related posts:

• Interview With Dave Fox About Globejotter Tours, Combining Writing And Travel – [Part 1 of 2]
• Remedy for Post-Travel Blues: 7 Ways to Bring Your Trip Back Home
• Learn New Languages For Free Using These Online Resources

Time Is On Your Side

One of the biggest advantages travelers typically have over opportunistic thieves is time. You can carefully craft and plan out a strategy against dishonest crooks while they’re the ones usually racing against a clock to get as much as they can without being noticed or caught. That’s where you’ll begin focusing your backpack security system – by increasing the amount of time anyone would need to get in and take your most valuable belongings.

Start With Basics

A small lock on closing your zippers together is a good place to start anytime you leave your bag by itself. Combination luggage locks are easier to manage since you don’t have physical keys to lose and are a good deterrent in luggage rooms common to hostels or hotel rooms where you aren’t sure about the staff. While it’s not recommended to lock your luggage if you check your bags due to security checks, keeping the zippers placed away from the ‘normal’ spots of at the edges or between corners can waste a few more seconds for a thief who only has a moment to make their move.

• Pacsafe – This company makes several security products for backpacks and other travel gear including an anti-theft mesh (review) and portable “Travelsafe” pouch (review) for smaller items.

These products can make your bags very conspicuous however are a powerful deterrent in a hostel room full of completely unlocked and unzipped bags. If you’d rather not travel with either of these, make sure you store your most valuable electronics and travel document (e.g. passport) in a locker which most hotels and hostels offer. (Remember to bring your own lock, most hostels don’t provide them or will overcharge you to buy one.)

Pack Your Electronics Deep When Checking In

You’ll want to keep any electronics away from the top of your bags, where they can be easily felt by a crook who might be rummaging around several bags. Place your valuable tech items deep within your bag, but disperse them throughout as well while avoiding the outer layer. For instance you could pack your iPod in a sock, while keeping your Kindle nicely folded inside a pair of jeans.

• Keep It To Your Carry-On – Keep a carry-on bag with you so you don’t have to check in any valuables (I’ve had them stolen from there before). Electronics also tend to be heavy and it’s a great way to avoid luggage fees. If the thought of traveling with two bags makes you queasy, check out the REI Travel Zip or something similar.
• Excuse Me, Do You Have Lockers? – First of all when booking a hostel or hotel, make sure to check if they have lockers, what size they are, and where they are located. If there is any ambiguity, email or call them to ask. Ideally this is where you want to keep your valuables when you’re settled in somewhere for a few days.
• Spread Out Your Cash – Keeping your items and money separately won’t save all of your stuff but might be enough to keep at least some of your valuables safe. Hide your money in various pockets, some on your person, maybe a bit in your toiletries pouch but not all in the same place.

When looking for a hostel, I’d consider a locker to be a strong deciding factor over another without one of a similar price. Some hostels also boast lockers but don’t mention that they’re not big enough to fit a laptop. Walking around with your valuables in your day pack is both cumbersome and aside from the increased threat of theft, might end up with you banging around your hard drive into an early grave.

Covering Your Bases And Maintaining A Security System For The Long Run

Much like when you start out packing, your security system is likely to be at its best when you’re first heading out on a trip. After a prolonged vacation or when shifting locales it’s a breeze to take it easy, be negligent about locking up your stuff and all of the other little tricks part of your personal travel security plan.

• Know Your Essentials – Your passport, cash, and and credit cards are essential when traveling and you should make sure you always have access to some bare minimum of funds. Do not neglect to keep these things secure. I’d also add any electronics that are too expensive or costly to easily replace (i.e. laptop if you work from the road).
• Automate It – Stay consistent with how you pack your bag so it becomes second nature. Don’t try to come up with something even more intricate every time you pack. Come up with a plan and tweak it but trying to reinvent it every time will only leave you frustrated.
• Have A Backup Plan – Encrypt your hard drive, save your digital photos from crooks, and use online backup for your data.
• Take Your Time – Not only will you be the least annoying person in any hostel dorm, packing ahead of time ensures you won’t rush through and neglect your backpack security system.
• Layers Upon Layers – Jodi Ettenberg (Legal Nomads) has some excellent safety advice which I highly recommend reading in this interview with her on Solo Friendly.

Adding a few seconds of effort to any snoops’ schedule may be all you need to deter or steal an opportunity from a thief. For those times when it’s just not enough however, finding that $50 you tucked away in your dirty socks at the bottom of your backpack will make you realize a backpack security system wasn’t so crazy after all.

[photos by: stacya (female backpacker), gsag (zipper), colijay72 (man digging hole), rpongsaj (locked safe)]

----------
For personal updates, highlights from recent posts, and stories and pictures that don't always make it to my blog check out my bimonthly newsletter.

Related posts:

• How To Put Your Backpack On A Diet
• Backpacking Basics Part 2: Picking The Right Backpack
• How To Create Your Own Personal Travel Security Plan