The strife that has engulfed the Middle East in recent weeks has done more than slaughter innocent people and derail nascent peace initiatives. It has also shattered our belief that the world was, finally, a safe and secure place for business travelers.
http://misc.biztravel.com/content/ne...ranc/branc.htm

I'm not sure who had the misguided belief that they were safe anywhere. Fact is anywhere, anytime you could be headed for the big dirt nap. All I can say is no one can protect themselves entirely. I'm reminded of the old joke:

Two people were walking in the woods when surprised by a bear. One starts to put on his running shoes. The other says, "You idiot, there's no way you can outrun the bear." The man putting on the running shoes replies, "I don't have to outrun the bear, I just need to outrun you..."

As a Yankee (actually Southern by the Grace of God ) Imperialist I am very aware that I might be singled out as a target. Call it paranoia, but out of the US I take a few basic precautions. Vary my route, sit w/ my back to a wall in restaurants (old Sicilian in me I guess), don't wear/carry anything that identifies me as American (T-shirts w/ print, etc), also attempt to speak the local language, and often carry a local newspaper/magazine.

Freefaller, do you also carry a Portugese passport when travelling overseas?
(was seriously thinking about getting one myself)


[This message has been edited by belle3388 (edited 10-27-2000).]