Losing your passport on an international trip stinks! It’s one of the worst things that can happen.
Dealing with Your Worst Travel Fear
I want to take this time to check in with everyone and hear your thoughts.
I aim for this newsletter to be valuable to you—something you can save and use as a future reference. But I also want it to be easy to digest.
I'm aware that most of you are from the US, and we don't get much vacation time compared to other countries. So, I want to help you make the most of it because travel is sacred.
Life often gets in the way, but no matter how small traveling seems compared to work, school, and raising kids, it has a big impact on the quality of our
lives.
So please share what topics you'd like me to cover by sending me a message, and I'll do my best to address them.
Let's dive into this week's topic...
Losing your passport on an international trip stinks! It’s one of the worst
things that can happen while traveling.
Don’t worry, I got you covered so you can get home safely. 😉
First, here are some things you should do beforehand to make your life easier:
Never keep all your cards, documents, or phone in the same place. This way, you'll have something if anything is stolen.
Make both printed and digital copies of important documents like your passport and birth certificate.
If your passport is lost or stolen, go to the local police station and file a report.
Technically, this step is not mandatory, but it helps make everything else smoother.
Next, reach out to the US embassy or consulate.
If you just walk up there, it’s probably going to be closed, so schedule an appointment online instead.
If you don’t know where your local embassy or consulate is, use Google and type in “passport services US embassy (country you’re trapped in)” or find it here.
For example, if you’re in Sweden, type “Passport Services US embassy Sweden.”
Follow the steps on the website and book your
appointment.
These are the items that you need to bring with you to the embassy (link):
One passport photo (get it in advance to speed the process of replacing your passport)
Money for the temporary passport (approx. $150 USD)
After that, travel to the US embassy, and they will give you a temporary passport.
Next, contact your airline to explain the situation and ask if a temporary passport is sufficient to leave the country. The country you’re in may have additional requirements, so it’s better to double-check.
In summary, these are the steps you need to follow:
File a
police report.
Google "passport services US embassy (country you’re in)".
Go to the US embassy.
Contact your airline.
Good luck. I hope this never happens to you, but if it does, I hope this guide helps you through the situation.
Keep traveling,
Andrew
Have you lost your passport on a trip? How did you get home?
Cocktail of the Week
The Gin Fizz cocktail was invented in the United States and gained popularity in the late 19th century. This classic cocktail is a variation of the traditional fizz cocktail, made with gin, lemon juice, sugar, and carbonated water, creating a light and bubbly drink that has remained a favorite for generations.
Recipe:
2 oz gin
3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
1/2 oz simple syrup
Club soda
Lemon twist for garnish
Instructions:
Fill a shaker with ice.
Add gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup to the shaker.
Shake well to combine and chill the ingredients.
Strain the mixture into a glass filled with ice.
Top with club soda to add
effervescence.
Garnish with a lemon twist.
Random Travel Thought
I have problems; I do trip planning when I get bored.
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The Plug
Cheap flights:
Going.com: This might be the only discounted flights website you need.It’s a paid service that sends you notifications when deals become available, but they expire in a couple of days so Act Fast!!
Secret Flying 🤫: This website emails you about free flight opportunities and even better… it doesn’t cost a thing!!
Skyscanner: An older, but still reliable website that’s also *FREE* so there’s no reason not to use it. Use the "Explore the World" feature and set your departure date to "Whole Month" to find the cheapest deals.
Insurance:
Safety Wing: I use Safety Wing as my travel insurance because the plans are flexible. You can easily insure a 1-week trip for like $11 dollars which is less than the cost of a cocktail at the bar.
Travel Gear
Compression socks: Sitting for extended periods of time is not good for the body, so keep
yourself healthy enough to go on more trips.Link
Apple AirTags: Consider getting Apple AirTags for the peace of mind of always knowing where your luggage is. Link
Smart Phone holder: It's a foldable sheet that can be used as a stand for your iPhone or iPad.Link
Packing cubes: Having a separate container works wonders for keeping clothes wrinkle-free. It also makes packing/unpacking much easier.Link
Donut Power Strip: Power outlets are always in demand, but sometimes they're in weird spots. I use this bagel because it's lightweight, and I don't have to think about it.Link
Travel Case Organizer: Cable organizers can be a pain, but this is what I use to keep my cables organized. Link
Backup batteries: I like these backup batteries because they have three important components for me: 1. They have enough power to recharge my phone multiple times at
once, 2. Are small enough to put in my pocket, and 3. Are sturdy enough to survive a fall. Link
Yoga Mat: I use this thin mat to get my stretching in even when I'm traveling. Link
Jump Rope: It's so easy to bring a jump rope with you for exercise because it weighs almost nothing and takes up no space. Link
Liquid IV: Great for hydration to keep you from dying. When you're traveling,
it's time to live it up! Link
*Above are Affiliate links at no additional cost to you.
