Perhaps this could have all been prevented had the buddy system been used. The saying “there’s safety in numbers” is true. If you are planning to go traveling with a friend or a group of friends, then it is important that you look out for each other.

At the moment, most people I know are bogged down with exams, papers and projects all due before that one week of fun called “Spring Break.” To follow with this line of “I can’t wait until Spring Break,” I’d like to share some words of cautionary wisdom that al travelers should keep in mind.

Whether you are traveling in or out of the country, it is important to be aware at all times of what is going on around you. This might sound like something your mother would say, but the more aware you are of your surroundings, the less likely something surprising will happen to you.

I remember a time where I was backpacking for a month alone in Italy when some guy tried to get into my backpack while I walked through Naples. The major mistake I had made in this situation was that I had walked down an Italian street with my backpack on my back.

At that moment I thought, “This can’t be happening. He is unzipping my backpack when it’s on my back.”

Since I was carrying about 50 pounds on my back (truly back-breaking, but an asset in the end), I turned and used my backpack as a ramming agent, smashing the guy against the wall with the pack.

He then looked at me like, “Uh…you just hit me, I can’t believe it,” but then he left me alone. Taking the appropriate action rather than freaking out is what helped me here. Had he not left me alone, the next thought in my head was to start screaming.

In the same lovely city where the above incident occurred, I had a man make a very interesting proposition. (Side note: all the Italians I knew and met on my trip warned me of this city, but I was determined to take the fairy boat to Sicily.)

I stopped in a local coffee shop to sip an espresso, and when I tried to pay the bartender he said in his Italian-English accent that “another gentleman had paid for my coffee.” This great act of kindness has happened to me many times before in Europe, so being gracious I stopped and politely thanked the gentleman before leaving the shop.

It’s always good to glance behind you once in a while, because most people know that you’re an outsider so you need to keep an eye on your things. The big backpack gives it away; plus I’m blond and while they do have blondes in Italy, they don’t have so many that are 5’9.

Glancing back, I saw the gentleman who bought my coffee following me. A feeling of “something is not right here” hit me hard, even though it was broad daylight. The gentleman ran up to me, apparently wanting to start some “small talk.”

The voice inside me kept on telling me, “Something is not right,” so being on the defensive I told him I did not have time to talk. He would not leave me alone, but while I did not feel scared (given the daylight and the large numbers of people around us), the feeling of “something is not right” was now super-strong.

He then proceeded to tell me that if I did some sexual favors for him I would get a gold chain. I started to leave, but he was yelling after me, “Not intercourse, just oral sex.” “Great,” I thought.

At this point it was time to look for a safe spot, a police man, a coffee shop, a department store, someplace where people would be willing to help me. As I was leaving the square a great big tourist group of older German people were taking a walking tour of the city. Being half-German, I went up to them and told them that someone was bothering me. The story ended happily when these German tourists formed a “safe” circle around me and then escorted me to the boat for Sicily.

Perhaps this could have all been prevented had the buddy system been used. The saying “there’s safety in numbers” is true. If you are planning to go traveling with a friend or a group of friends, then it is important that you look out for each other.

Often, when young Americans leave the country they experience this feeling of complete freedom – that is, they go a bit crazy. Everything they experience is new and cool, alcohol indulgence or drug-usage takes place, and sometimes things can go wrong.

Look at the latest example of the American exchange student, Amanda Knox, from the University of Washington. Right now she is behind bars in Italy as a suspect for killing another exchange student, Meredith Kercher of Britain, who was her roommate. Under Italian law, suspects can be kept behind bars without being charged if a judge rules there is enough evidence to jail them and there is a chance they might flee, repeat the crime or tamper with evidence.

It is important to know that the American Embassy won’t “bail you out” in the case of a problem. Many people think, “I’m an American citizen, and therefore my government will fix it.”

While the embassies can help you, (for example making sure that you’re being treated correctly in jail), the rule to remember is that if you do something illegal in a foreign country, you’re bound to said country’s rules. It’s the same when a foreigner does something illegal here – that foreigner then is bound by our rules.

Traveling anywhere should be an enjoyable experience. While some interesting situations have happened to me, I would never stop traveling and seeing the world. If you’re aware of your surroundings and are prepared to act, use the buddy system, don’t drink too much or accept open drinks from strangers, and can get help when it is needed, you will be able to enjoy your trip.

Most importantly, if that feeling inside you says that something is not OK, listen to it. Chances are something is not OK.

Have a fun and enjoyable spring break!

Do you have any travel questions that you would like Krista to answer? Please contact Krista at editorial@uwmpost.com.

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