Don't Forget to Pack a Doorstop

This morning's session was all about personal safety and apparently the is a trifecta which you have pictured below. 

In one of the conversations we were asked besides clothing, a passport and a map hat would we bring with us on a trip.  Some of them were quirky like a single Cliff bar, some of them were from the military guys like a knife and 550 cord, some would bring a gift they could give to community leaders and of course there was duct tape. After working thorough his assignment the speaker said two words: door stop.  Hello BRILLIANT IDEA. While some people stick a chair under a door handle, it is a much better to jam a door stop under the door (thank you physics). 

Biggest risk factors for problems with personal safety: alcohol/drugs were involved, people were alone, people were in an area they were not familiar with (usually a dangerous area)

Biggest cause of death of Americas when abroad: motor vehicle accidents

Despite how hard you try (no map, walking with a purpose, etc.), the locals will know you are not from the area. For example:

• You are in DC and do not follow the unwritten rule of stand right walk left when you are faced with an escalator. 
• Similarly tourists are the only people who wear sneakers outside the gym. 
• Shen abroad many times your walk will give you away.  One woman spoke about how her co-workers could identify her from down the road because she walked way to fast and with too much of a purpose (keep in mind that this is the only way you will survive in NYC)