Travel Smarts in the 3rd World

paean · Jul 4, 2004

Travellers and Adventurers alike,

I am in preparation for some long-term world travel, specifically in a number of countries where the annual GDP is less than a $2500 USD per capita. My biggest concern (besides, say, being killed) is keeping my camera in my possession for the duration of my travels. Oh and then batteries and storage.

(1. Staying alive... check, 2. Not having the only valuable possession I own from being stolen... check, 3. Batteries/media. ...yep, sounds about right.)

I own a Sony F717 (which I'm currently trying to make some camo for) and I can only imagine owning a digital SLR and trying to keep an investment like that safe.

So here it is: while travelling abroad, specifically in the third world, what are you doing to keep your precious equipment safe from theft?

mauriceramirez · Jul 4, 2004

most people find developing countries (the 3rd world term is getting more nondescript in these days of globalization) SAFER to travel in than others in terms of petty theft.

i've traveled all over thailand, philippines, mexico, greece, france, germany, UK, italy, US... and the only times i've been robbed was in the latter two. I even lost out on a D1 and a bag full of ED glass in Venice, where rich tourists outnumber locals.

(don't even get me started on how many times my vehicle has been broken into or when i've been personally attacked, in the so-called richest country on the planet, america.)

keep in mind, though, that you may feel a bit self-absorbed if you ever decide to whip out a white "L" lens amidst a bunch of starving kids. as well you should. so just remember to be very considerate, smile a lot, learn a few phrases, and you and your belongings should be okay.

camo your 717? i think that's totally unneccesary.

-m

paean said:
Travellers and Adventurers alike,
I am in preparation for some long-term world travel, specifically
in a number of countries where the annual GDP is less than a $2500
USD per capita. My biggest concern (besides, say, being killed) is
keeping my camera in my possession for the duration of my travels.
Oh and then batteries and storage.

(1. Staying alive... check, 2. Not having the only valuable
possession I own from being stolen... check, 3. Batteries/media.
...yep, sounds about right.)

I own a Sony F717 (which I'm currently trying to make some camo
for) and I can only imagine owning a digital SLR and trying to keep
an investment like that safe.

So here it is: while travelling abroad, specifically in the third
world, what are you doing to keep your precious equipment safe from
theft?

--
http://www.mauriceramirez.com

B_Unangst · Jul 4, 2004

paean said:
Travellers and Adventurers alike,
I am in preparation for some long-term world travel, specifically
in a number of countries where the annual GDP is less than a $2500
USD per capita. My biggest concern (besides, say, being killed) is
keeping my camera in my possession for the duration of my travels.
Oh and then batteries and storage.

(1. Staying alive... check, 2. Not having the only valuable
possession I own from being stolen... check, 3. Batteries/media.
...yep, sounds about right.)

I own a Sony F717 (which I'm currently trying to make some camo
for) and I can only imagine owning a digital SLR and trying to keep
an investment like that safe.

So here it is: while travelling abroad, specifically in the third
world, what are you doing to keep your precious equipment safe from
theft?

In the 70's I went to Africa (Dakar, Senagul and Mauritania) and parts of Europe (Germany, Austria, Swiss.. etc..). Only in Africa did we actually have armed guards with FN/FAL's (308 cal.) around us to protect 'us' (US).. get the picture..?

Many things are worth 'it' .. whatever IT may be.. Would I do it again.. Not likely..! Not right now anyhow.. If I wanna 'visit' a 3rd world country I could go to almost any inner city, many southern 'coal mine towns' or the desert south west Indian Reservations.. Another country, maybe Australia and the Native ppl there...

There is power in a group and if you stray from the group you may make CNN... Don't stray... ANY..!

Most tour groups have a 'place' (person, etc..) where your valuables can be kept. Keep passports and other papers as secure as your family jewels.. In fact, put them 'there' to be safe, understand..? A back pocket can be picked and a pack stolen.. Ask your guide if you 'need' to carry these papers 'everywhere' and if not, leave them in your room, a safe or with the guide him self.. ASK..! Money, get Travelers Cheques and/or local coinage.. And DON'T carry it all.... Don't flash wads of $$$ and don't dig in your socks either (at least not in front of anyone). I have a under the shirt flat wallet on a over the shoulder strap where I can carry things. I go into Mexico some and I ware this under my shirt.

Remember, it's your life they want, not your camera or video equip. You may be held for ransom in some areas but it seems most want our heads off..........

If the tour is advertised, a bomb on a bus or along the road could be waiting. It's the terror.. they want to install, and the more targets the more thay can target..

I dunno guy.. I would almost feel safer going to Vietnam for a photo shoot than almost anywhere else except places in the ol' USA right now, but the prob is, we can't let the B'ast*ards win and we must keep our goings... going.. Understand..? If not, They won..!

OK.. keep it safe.. DON'T be the Ugly 'American' (or who ever) and shoot pics of everyone or everything.. Try to understand their culture some. Don't be a nerd, shoot, then walk away. Someone will - see you. Offer to pay for a good shot or two, but not too much. Have local coins in your pocket to do such. Be careful here too and just maybe offer a few coins for a shoot.. Again, be discrete because you may be flocked by many wanting their pics taken for the money.

Camo on equipment.. No way guy.. Can you say CIA here.. If you look like you have something to hide you will stand out.. Don't sneak around.. Just be discrete, POLITE and in the open... Shoot from the hip, literally.. learn before you go on how to do it so you don't look like it. And don't take too much stuff.. We all take too much stuff.. Bags get stolen.. They glow....

Stay with others. Stay.. with.. others...! Americans are targets everywhere and you didn't say where you were actually going so just be careful, in fact, I'm not sure if your even an American, but it dosnt seem to matter much anymore for all are targets with the radicals out there anymore..
One more thing, when back.. show us a cpl of your shots.. OK..??
Be safe and be careful.. I only touched the tip of the ice burg.
You will know you had fun when back.
Bob

--

List of equipment in profile *

To Think And Not Do Is As Bad As To Do And Not Think..
http://www.pbase.com/lensmen2/inbox
Yahoo - Fuji S-2 Group - Lensmen2

paean · Jul 5, 2004

I appreciate the insight. Much thanks.

mauriceramirez said:
i've traveled all over thailand, philippines, mexico, greece,
france, germany, UK, italy, US... and the only times i've been
robbed was in the latter two. I even lost out on a D1 and a bag
full of ED glass in Venice, where rich tourists outnumber locals.

(don't even get me started on how many times my vehicle has been
broken into or when i've been personally attacked, in the
so-called richest country on the planet, america.)

keep in mind, though, that you may feel a bit self-absorbed if you
ever decide to whip out a white "L" lens amidst a bunch of starving
kids. as well you should. so just remember to be very
considerate, smile a lot, learn a few phrases, and you and your
belongings should be okay.

camo your 717? i think that's totally unneccesary.

-m

paean said:

Travellers and Adventurers alike,
I am in preparation for some long-term world travel, specifically
in a number of countries where the annual GDP is less than a $2500
USD per capita. My biggest concern (besides, say, being killed) is
keeping my camera in my possession for the duration of my travels.
Oh and then batteries and storage.

(1. Staying alive... check, 2. Not having the only valuable
possession I own from being stolen... check, 3. Batteries/media.
...yep, sounds about right.)

I own a Sony F717 (which I'm currently trying to make some camo
for) and I can only imagine owning a digital SLR and trying to keep
an investment like that safe.

So here it is: while travelling abroad, specifically in the third
world, what are you doing to keep your precious equipment safe from
theft?

Click to expand...

--
http://www.mauriceramirez.com

paean · Jul 5, 2004

Bob,

Thank you for the situational advice. Since experience is what I lack, your reply is exactly what I was looking for.

B_Unangst said:
paean said:

Travellers and Adventurers alike,
I am in preparation for some long-term world travel, specifically
in a number of countries where the annual GDP is less than a $2500
USD per capita. My biggest concern (besides, say, being killed) is
keeping my camera in my possession for the duration of my travels.
Oh and then batteries and storage.

(1. Staying alive... check, 2. Not having the only valuable
possession I own from being stolen... check, 3. Batteries/media.
...yep, sounds about right.)

I own a Sony F717 (which I'm currently trying to make some camo
for) and I can only imagine owning a digital SLR and trying to keep
an investment like that safe.

So here it is: while travelling abroad, specifically in the third
world, what are you doing to keep your precious equipment safe from
theft?

Click to expand...

In the 70's I went to Africa (Dakar, Senagul and Mauritania) and
parts of Europe (Germany, Austria, Swiss.. etc..). Only in Africa
did we actually have armed guards with FN/FAL's (308 cal.) around
us to protect 'us' (US).. get the picture..?
Many things are worth 'it' .. whatever IT may be.. Would I do it
again.. Not likely..! Not right now anyhow.. If I wanna 'visit' a
3rd world country I could go to almost any inner city, many
southern 'coal mine towns' or the desert south west Indian
Reservations.. Another country, maybe Australia and the Native ppl
there...
There is power in a group and if you stray from the group you may
make CNN... Don't stray... ANY..!
Most tour groups have a 'place' (person, etc..) where your
valuables can be kept. Keep passports and other papers as secure as
your family jewels.. In fact, put them 'there' to be safe,
understand..?

Haha.... yes, I follow you.

B_Unangst said:
A back pocket can be picked and a pack stolen.. Ask
your guide if you 'need' to carry these papers 'everywhere' and if
not, leave them in your room, a safe or with the guide him self..
ASK..! Money, get Travelers Cheques and/or local coinage.. And
DON'T carry it all.... Don't flash wads of $$$ and don't dig in
your socks either (at least not in front of anyone). I have a under
the shirt flat wallet on a over the shoulder strap where I can
carry things. I go into Mexico some and I ware this under my shirt.
Remember, it's your life they want, not your camera or video equip.
You may be held for ransom in some areas but it seems most want our
heads off..........
If the tour is advertised, a bomb on a bus or along the road could
be waiting. It's the terror.. they want to install, and the more
targets the more thay can target..
I dunno guy.. I would almost feel safer going to Vietnam for a
photo shoot than almost anywhere else except places in the ol' USA
right now, but the prob is, we can't let the B'ast*ards win and we
must keep our goings... going.. Understand..? If not, They won..!
OK.. keep it safe.. DON'T be the Ugly 'American' (or who ever) and
shoot pics of everyone or everything.. Try to understand their
culture some. Don't be a nerd, shoot, then walk away. Someone will

see you. Offer to pay for a good shot or two, but not too much.

Have local coins in your pocket to do such. Be careful here too and
just maybe offer a few coins for a shoot.. Again, be discrete
because you may be flocked by many wanting their pics taken for the
money.

My photographs will never make it into a magazine or be mounted in anyone's living room. Photography is just a pasttime for me. The culture is what I'm hoping to soak up, so your tips will go a long way with what I hope to do.

B_Unangst said:
Camo on equipment.. No way guy.. Can you say CIA here.. If you look
like you have something to hide you will stand out.. Don't sneak
around.. Just be discrete, POLITE and in the open... Shoot from the
hip, literally.. learn before you go on how to do it so you don't
look like it.

Heh, when I said camo, all I meant was a covering made of dark cloth. Silver cameras seem to attract more attention than necessary. But shooting from the hip... I can do. ( :

B_Unangst said:
And don't take too much stuff.. We all take too much
stuff.. Bags get stolen.. They glow....
Stay with others. Stay.. with.. others...! Americans are targets
everywhere and you didn't say where you were actually going so just
be careful, in fact, I'm not sure if your even an American, but it
dosnt seem to matter much anymore for all are targets with the
radicals out there anymore..

I'm Canadian, but I've found most people outside of North America and Europe don't see any reason to differentiate. Being careful is what I hope to do. Your suggestions for carrying money and passports, etc were helpful.

B_Unangst said:
One more thing, when back.. show us a cpl of your shots.. OK..??
Be safe and be careful.. I only touched the tip of the ice burg.
You will know you had fun when back.
Bob

That I can do. ( :

Adam

Mike_V · Jul 5, 2004

Make sure everything is properly insured.

If you really get into a bad situation, it is better to hand over your stuff than risk getting beaten up or worse.

If you do get robbed, don't let it ruin your trip.

Be friendly with the locals. In Asia I've been saved a few times by local taxi or moto drivers by using the same guy regularly and being friendly and tipping him.

Tango76 · Jul 7, 2004

I always find quite amusing the incredible amount of diffidence many western people have in the developing countries... the world out there is much more safe than our televisions want it to look like!

The best advice I can give you is: try to be a local. Don't be shy, get in touch with the people, try to understand their culture and don't be scared. 99.9% of the people in what you call "the 3rd world" don't care anything about your digital equipment, a completely useless thing in their life. The place where you are most likely to be lighten up of your equipment is the subway of major city in the USA or Europe, where a thief has the contacts to sell what he steals. In third world countries they just look for some extra money, and will likely ask you for some coins instead of robbing you.

I have travelled quite a lot around Africa, Asia and South America and most of the people have been ULTRA friendly to me, helping me much much more then any "first world man" would have done in the same situation: giving me lifts on their cars, hosting me in their poor houses and giving me a meal that represented for them a VERY heavy cost, just for the pleasure of helping. In many african places I had the feeling of beeing tributed like a visiting king.

Be polite, friendly, open and sincere and everything will likely be fine. And understand you are in their home... they know a lot more than you do about their environment. We americans and europeans have a strange idea of "knowing everything better than everybody else", but you will soon understand that those people really can teach you a lot, if you let them teach.

Take your time to talk with the locals who speak a language you know, so that you will know what's important to them and thus you will be able to avoid stupid things in their eyes (like wasting water in a desert country, something I have seen many times in the sub-saharian zone). You will soon understand how much patience some locals have with tourists wasting their precious resources.

Have fun!

B_Unangst said:
In the 70's I went to Africa (Dakar, Senagul and Mauritania) and
parts of Europe (Germany, Austria, Swiss.. etc..). Only in Africa
did we actually have armed guards with FN/FAL's (308 cal.) around
us to protect 'us' (US).. get the picture..?
Many things are worth 'it' .. whatever IT may be.. Would I do it
again.. Not likely..! Not right now anyhow.. If I wanna 'visit' a
3rd world country I could go to almost any inner city, many
southern 'coal mine towns' or the desert south west Indian
Reservations.. Another country, maybe Australia and the Native ppl
there...
There is power in a group and if you stray from the group you may
make CNN... Don't stray... ANY..!
Most tour groups have a 'place' (person, etc..) where your
valuables can be kept. Keep passports and other papers as secure as
your family jewels.. In fact, put them 'there' to be safe,
understand..? A back pocket can be picked and a pack stolen.. Ask
your guide if you 'need' to carry these papers 'everywhere' and if
not, leave them in your room, a safe or with the guide him self..
ASK..! Money, get Travelers Cheques and/or local coinage.. And
DON'T carry it all.... Don't flash wads of $$$ and don't dig in
your socks either (at least not in front of anyone). I have a under
the shirt flat wallet on a over the shoulder strap where I can
carry things. I go into Mexico some and I ware this under my shirt.
Remember, it's your life they want, not your camera or video equip.
You may be held for ransom in some areas but it seems most want our
heads off..........
If the tour is advertised, a bomb on a bus or along the road could
be waiting. It's the terror.. they want to install, and the more
targets the more thay can target..
I dunno guy.. I would almost feel safer going to Vietnam for a
photo shoot than almost anywhere else except places in the ol' USA
right now, but the prob is, we can't let the B'ast*ards win and we
must keep our goings... going.. Understand..? If not, They won..!
OK.. keep it safe.. DON'T be the Ugly 'American' (or who ever) and
shoot pics of everyone or everything.. Try to understand their
culture some. Don't be a nerd, shoot, then walk away. Someone will

see you. Offer to pay for a good shot or two, but not too much.

Have local coins in your pocket to do such. Be careful here too and
just maybe offer a few coins for a shoot.. Again, be discrete
because you may be flocked by many wanting their pics taken for the
money.
Camo on equipment.. No way guy.. Can you say CIA here.. If you look
like you have something to hide you will stand out.. Don't sneak
around.. Just be discrete, POLITE and in the open... Shoot from the
hip, literally.. learn before you go on how to do it so you don't
look like it. And don't take too much stuff.. We all take too much
stuff.. Bags get stolen.. They glow....
Stay with others. Stay.. with.. others...! Americans are targets
everywhere and you didn't say where you were actually going so just
be careful, in fact, I'm not sure if your even an American, but it
dosnt seem to matter much anymore for all are targets with the
radicals out there anymore..
One more thing, when back.. show us a cpl of your shots.. OK..??
Be safe and be careful.. I only touched the tip of the ice burg.
You will know you had fun when back.
Bob

--

List of equipment in profile *

To Think And Not Do Is As Bad As To Do And Not Think..
http://www.pbase.com/lensmen2/inbox
Yahoo - Fuji S-2 Group - Lensmen2

BobTrips · Jul 7, 2004

paean said:
Travelers and Adventurers alike,
I am in preparation for some long-term world travel, specifically
in a number of countries where the annual GDP is less than a $2500
USD per capita. My biggest concern (besides, say, being killed) is
keeping my camera in my possession for the duration of my travels.
Oh and then batteries and storage.

I've made many trips to South East Asia (Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Indonesia, Malaysia), many trips to Mexico, and lived on a sailboat in Mexico, Costa Rico and Panama for a couple of years. I've never had anything stolen or ever felt the slightest bit in danger.

But one does need to know where to go and where not. I was very careful ten+ years ago in Panama City, didn't go into Colon, and probably wouldn't go to Mexico City at the present time. I wouldn't walk around Phnom Phen at night, especially with a camera. I'm not going back to Kashmir at this time. But those places are rare exceptions in otherwise very safe and friendly countries. Do a little research before you go.

I carry my camera in a nondescript shoulder bag which I carry across my shoulder. There is a infrequent problem in some Vietnam cities in which two guys on a motorbike will snatch a bag from a unaware person on the sidewalk and speed off. If I'm walking along a city street I keep the bag on the building side.

I use a length of strong cord and a plastic toggle for a wrist strap. If I'm in a crowd (or sharing a hanging bridge with a pony train) I use the strap. I've kept my camera from being knocked from my hand a couple of times in crowds and once about 50 feet over a rocky river bed.

Don't set yourself up as a 'theft target'. Don't wear expensive clothes, jewelery or a expensive looking watch, don't flash your cash. Leave your room with a small amount of local cash (your daily allowance) in a front pocket and your cash/TC/ATM card/passport hidden safely under your clothing.

In my experience you are much more likely to loose your camera from carelessness than from theft. I've traveled with a person who left her camera on a bus on two different trips. I've been with someone two or three times who left their bag or purse on the back of a chair in a restaurant. (Always there when we returned - the restaurant people put them in a safe place.)

I've been traveling for 4+ years with digital. Charging has rarely been a problem. Even trekking in Nepal I was able to charge at least every other day. Learn how to conserve power (don't use the LCD, minimize flash, turn your camera off when not in use). Take at least one more battery than you think you'll need and possibly a spare charger. (Stuff does break and chargers can be forgotten in a rush to make the train.) Make sure your charger is multiple voltage (something like 100-240 volts) and take a set of plug adapters (cheap and light).

I've been traveling with a 20 gig portable hard drive. It's been fine - held thousands of pictures and allowed me to travel far off the beaten path. Starting over I'd probably get a portable CD burner rather than the PHD. I like the idea of burning two copies and mailing one set home. If you're going to stick to cities and tourist areas then burning to CD in a shop is an option in much of the world these days. But if you're going to be traveling for months....

--
bob
Latest offering - 'Dusk on the Buriganga'
http://www.pbase.com/bobtrips
Shots from a bunch of places (esp. SEA and Nepal).
Pictures for friends, not necessarily my best.

http://www.trekearth.com/members/BobTrips/photos/
My better 'attempts'.

Matias Carnemolla · Jul 7, 2004

I live in Argentina, which is a 3rd world country. The only thing I can tell you is to use your common sense. Be aware of where you are standing at, allways keep an eye on the people surrounding you, specially if you take out your equipment. But if you are in a crowded place I can asure you that wont have any trouble. The problem would be shooting at bad neighbours or places were poberty is really high. If so, try not to contrast with locals, were casual clothing and you´ll be fine. A friend of mine who was shooting the Fabelas at Brasil got stolen by a bunch of kids who took away his bag. I shot in Brasil and nothing ever happend to me. Its common sense. Sometimes when you are so deep into taking pictures you ignore what´s around you. I know its really annoying but sometimes you need to take a look around just to make sure you´ll be ok. But, all depends on where you are shooting. There are places and places.

paean said:
Travellers and Adventurers alike,
I am in preparation for some long-term world travel, specifically
in a number of countries where the annual GDP is less than a $2500
USD per capita. My biggest concern (besides, say, being killed) is
keeping my camera in my possession for the duration of my travels.
Oh and then batteries and storage.

(1. Staying alive... check, 2. Not having the only valuable
possession I own from being stolen... check, 3. Batteries/media.
...yep, sounds about right.)

I own a Sony F717 (which I'm currently trying to make some camo
for) and I can only imagine owning a digital SLR and trying to keep
an investment like that safe.

So here it is: while travelling abroad, specifically in the third
world, what are you doing to keep your precious equipment safe from
theft?

--
MatiCarne.
Proud user of film & digital.
http://www.optio33l.fotopic.net

Tango76 · Jul 7, 2004

Actually has the 34th highest pro capita currency-adjusted income and a member of the G20, the forum of the world's 20 most industrialized countries.

I am well aware of the recent argentinian economical crisis, but fortunately argentinia is far from dropping into the third world league.

Regards

Matias Carnemolla said:
paean said:

Travellers and Adventurers alike,
I am in preparation for some long-term world travel, specifically
in a number of countries where the annual GDP is less than a $2500
USD per capita. My biggest concern (besides, say, being killed) is
keeping my camera in my possession for the duration of my travels.
Oh and then batteries and storage.

(1. Staying alive... check, 2. Not having the only valuable
possession I own from being stolen... check, 3. Batteries/media.
...yep, sounds about right.)

I own a Sony F717 (which I'm currently trying to make some camo
for) and I can only imagine owning a digital SLR and trying to keep
an investment like that safe.

So here it is: while travelling abroad, specifically in the third
world, what are you doing to keep your precious equipment safe from
theft?

Click to expand...

--
MatiCarne.
Proud user of film & digital.
http://www.optio33l.fotopic.net

Matias Carnemolla · Jul 7, 2004

Thats true, but also 38% of the Argentinians are homeless and 57% are in or below the line of poberty.

Tango76 said:
Regards

Matias Carnemolla said:

paean said:

Travellers and Adventurers alike,
I am in preparation for some long-term world travel, specifically
in a number of countries where the annual GDP is less than a $2500
USD per capita. My biggest concern (besides, say, being killed) is
keeping my camera in my possession for the duration of my travels.
Oh and then batteries and storage.

(1. Staying alive... check, 2. Not having the only valuable
possession I own from being stolen... check, 3. Batteries/media.
...yep, sounds about right.)

I own a Sony F717 (which I'm currently trying to make some camo
for) and I can only imagine owning a digital SLR and trying to keep
an investment like that safe.

So here it is: while travelling abroad, specifically in the third
world, what are you doing to keep your precious equipment safe from
theft?

Click to expand...

--
MatiCarne.
Proud user of film & digital.
http://www.optio33l.fotopic.net

Click to expand...

--
MatiCarne.
Proud user of film & digital.
http://www.optio33l.fotopic.net

paean · Jul 7, 2004

well, i can't say i understand why you find it amusing, but as i said, i haven't travelled in developing countries before, so i'm relying on other people's experience (like yours) to get me educated. i have travelled 10 provinces and 48 states and have never been robbed, so its pretty positive to hear that i've been through the worst of it.
( :

if i may ask, how light did you travel in africa and asia? were you travelling in a group, as a pair or by yourself?

thanks for the pointers!

adam

Tango76 said:
I always find quite amusing the incredible amount of diffidence
many western people have in the developing countries... the world
out there is much more safe than our televisions want it to look
like!

The best advice I can give you is: try to be a local. Don't be shy,
get in touch with the people, try to understand their culture and
don't be scared. 99.9% of the people in what you call "the 3rd
world" don't care anything about your digital equipment, a
completely useless thing in their life. The place where you are
most likely to be lighten up of your equipment is the subway of
major city in the USA or Europe, where a thief has the contacts to
sell what he steals. In third world countries they just look for
some extra money, and will likely ask you for some coins instead of
robbing you.

I have travelled quite a lot around Africa, Asia and South America
and most of the people have been ULTRA friendly to me, helping me
much much more then any "first world man" would have done in the
same situation: giving me lifts on their cars, hosting me in their
poor houses and giving me a meal that represented for them a VERY
heavy cost, just for the pleasure of helping. In many african
places I had the feeling of beeing tributed like a visiting king.
Be polite, friendly, open and sincere and everything will likely be
fine. And understand you are in their home... they know a lot more
than you do about their environment. We americans and europeans
have a strange idea of "knowing everything better than everybody
else", but you will soon understand that those people really can
teach you a lot, if you let them teach.
Take your time to talk with the locals who speak a language you
know, so that you will know what's important to them and thus you
will be able to avoid stupid things in their eyes (like wasting
water in a desert country, something I have seen many times in the
sub-saharian zone). You will soon understand how much patience some
locals have with tourists wasting their precious resources.

Have fun!

paean · Jul 7, 2004

bob,

wow, you're quite the traveller. i think i will be quite careful at the beginning and relax my practices a bit more as i get more comfortable. and yeah, you're right, the location/surroundings should dictate how careful you need to be.

i will get in the habit of keeping my camera bag away from the street.

i'm also glad to hear that charging isn't much of a problem, although i'll be sure to have a couple spares and a spare charger.

i have an x-drive for a PSD, but have considered the cd burner option too. not having a backup seems risky.

thanks for all the advice. it is much appreciated.

adam

BobTrips said:
I've made many trips to South East Asia (Thailand, Cambodia, Laos,
Myanmar, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Indonesia, Malaysia), many trips
to Mexico, and lived on a sailboat in Mexico, Costa Rico and Panama
for a couple of years. I've never had anything stolen or ever felt
the slightest bit in danger.

But one does need to know where to go and where not. I was very
careful ten+ years ago in Panama City, didn't go into Colon, and
probably wouldn't go to Mexico City at the present time. I
wouldn't walk around Phnom Phen at night, especially with a camera.
I'm not going back to Kashmir at this time. But those places are
rare exceptions in otherwise very safe and friendly countries. Do
a little research before you go.

I carry my camera in a nondescript shoulder bag which I carry
across my shoulder. There is a infrequent problem in some Vietnam
cities in which two guys on a motorbike will snatch a bag from a
unaware person on the sidewalk and speed off. If I'm walking along
a city street I keep the bag on the building side.

I use a length of strong cord and a plastic toggle for a wrist
strap. If I'm in a crowd (or sharing a hanging bridge with a pony
train) I use the strap. I've kept my camera from being knocked
from my hand a couple of times in crowds and once about 50 feet
over a rocky river bed.

Don't set yourself up as a 'theft target'. Don't wear expensive
clothes, jewelery or a expensive looking watch, don't flash your
cash. Leave your room with a small amount of local cash (your
daily allowance) in a front pocket and your cash/TC/ATM
card/passport hidden safely under your clothing.

In my experience you are much more likely to loose your camera from
carelessness than from theft. I've traveled with a person who left
her camera on a bus on two different trips. I've been with someone
two or three times who left their bag or purse on the back of a
chair in a restaurant. (Always there when we returned - the
restaurant people put them in a safe place.)

I've been traveling for 4+ years with digital. Charging has rarely
been a problem. Even trekking in Nepal I was able to charge at
least every other day. Learn how to conserve power (don't use the
LCD, minimize flash, turn your camera off when not in use). Take
at least one more battery than you think you'll need and possibly a
spare charger. (Stuff does break and chargers can be forgotten in
a rush to make the train.) Make sure your charger is multiple
voltage (something like 100-240 volts) and take a set of plug
adapters (cheap and light).

I've been traveling with a 20 gig portable hard drive. It's been
fine - held thousands of pictures and allowed me to travel far off
the beaten path. Starting over I'd probably get a portable CD
burner rather than the PHD. I like the idea of burning two copies
and mailing one set home. If you're going to stick to cities and
tourist areas then burning to CD in a shop is an option in much of
the world these days. But if you're going to be traveling for
months....

--
bob
Latest offering - 'Dusk on the Buriganga'
http://www.pbase.com/bobtrips
Shots from a bunch of places (esp. SEA and Nepal).
Pictures for friends, not necessarily my best.

http://www.trekearth.com/members/BobTrips/photos/
My better 'attempts'.

RDKirk · Jul 7, 2004

The term "Third World" was originally coined to denote nations that were neither in the American/Western (First World) nor Soviet (Second World) spheres of influence. It was not intended to be specifically a notation of economic status.

It admittedly has taken on the meaning of "economically developing nation", but not without dilemmas. For instance, if the original political meaning is lost, then who is now "Second World?" Does that denote Argentina? Or is Argentina firmly "First World?"

Since then, there is also now the "Fourth World"--supposedly meaning "a nation with no hope of economic development."

--
RDKirk
'There's nothing worse than a brilliant image of a fuzzy concept.' --Ansel Adams

RDKirk · Jul 7, 2004

paean said:
Travellers and Adventurers alike,
I am in preparation for some long-term world travel, specifically
in a number of countries where the annual GDP is less than a $2500
USD per capita. My biggest concern (besides, say, being killed) is
keeping my camera in my possession for the duration of my travels.
Oh and then batteries and storage.

(1. Staying alive... check, 2. Not having the only valuable
possession I own from being stolen... check, 3. Batteries/media.
...yep, sounds about right.)

I own a Sony F717 (which I'm currently trying to make some camo
for) and I can only imagine owning a digital SLR and trying to keep
an investment like that safe.

So here it is: while travelling abroad, specifically in the third
world, what are you doing to keep your precious equipment safe from
theft?

--
RDKirk
'There's nothing worse than a brilliant image of a fuzzy concept.' --Ansel Adams

joelsin · Jul 7, 2004

Wondering whether or not South American countries like Brazil are safe enough to bring expensive photo gear into and carry around ?

paean · Jul 7, 2004

RDKirk said:
paean said:

Travellers and Adventurers alike,
I am in preparation for some long-term world travel, specifically
in a number of countries where the annual GDP is less than a $2500
USD per capita. My biggest concern (besides, say, being killed) is
keeping my camera in my possession for the duration of my travels.
Oh and then batteries and storage.

(1. Staying alive... check, 2. Not having the only valuable
possession I own from being stolen... check, 3. Batteries/media.
...yep, sounds about right.)

I own a Sony F717 (which I'm currently trying to make some camo
for) and I can only imagine owning a digital SLR and trying to keep
an investment like that safe.

So here it is: while travelling abroad, specifically in the third
world, what are you doing to keep your precious equipment safe from
theft?

Click to expand...

--
RDKirk
'There's nothing worse than a brilliant image of a fuzzy concept.'
--Ansel Adams

adaptg · Jul 7, 2004

Our part of the world is fairly safe for tourist,
but watch for snatch thieves, heres a report
and also a snatch thief who perhaps got more
than he deserve:
http://www.malaysiantoday.com.my/editorial/jun04/040618-adlin.htm

paean said:
Travellers and Adventurers alike,
I am in preparation for some long-term world travel, specifically
in a number of countries where the annual GDP is less than a $2500
USD per capita. My biggest concern (besides, say, being killed) is
keeping my camera in my possession for the duration of my travels.
Oh and then batteries and storage.

(1. Staying alive... check, 2. Not having the only valuable
possession I own from being stolen... check, 3. Batteries/media.
...yep, sounds about right.)

I own a Sony F717 (which I'm currently trying to make some camo
for) and I can only imagine owning a digital SLR and trying to keep
an investment like that safe.

So here it is: while travelling abroad, specifically in the third
world, what are you doing to keep your precious equipment safe from
theft?

--
Pictures captured with A Nokia N7610

Joe Federer · Jul 8, 2004

mauriceramirez said:
, italy, US... and the only times i've been
robbed was in the latter two. I even lost out on a D1 and a bag
full of ED glass in Venice, where rich tourists outnumber locals.

Were you mugged in Venice, or was your bag stolen from your hotel or something?

--
http://www2.csbsju.edu/~jwfedere/home.html

Nick1103 · Jul 8, 2004

B_Unangst said:
Remember, it's your life they want, not your camera or video equip.
You may be held for ransom in some areas but it seems most want our
heads off..........
If the tour is advertised, a bomb on a bus or along the road could
be waiting. It's the terror.. they want to install, and the more
targets the more thay can target..

It's important not to lump all non - familiar countries together. The above statements are true to some extent in, say, Iraq or Saudi Arabia, where Americans in particular are being specifically targetted. Or even the USA, where terrorists have killed the most Americans over the last few years.

But it isn't the case in the majority of "third world" or poorer countries around the world. Sure, you have to be careful, keep money or documents to a minimum and keep them well hidden, heed advice on which are the dangerous areas, and keep your wits about you, but the idea that you will be deliberately targetted by people intent on killing you, rather than robbing you, shouldn't be a big concern.

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