Know before you go

Get educated about the various local cultures, their history and the reasons for their unrest, before you embark on your trip.  Grab an up-to-date travel guide to learn about the country, its laws and its customs.  There are always interesting facts to learn, and some of them might just help, if you do get into trouble.  Bring the guide with you, for further study during downtime on your trip.  Just make sure you aren’t walking the streets with your nose in the travel book, looking like a hapless tourist.  You will stick out really bad, and you won’t be as aware of your surroundings.  Both of these points make you an easier target for local troublemakers.

Photo:Malias