apology accepted <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

What would I take? A resume. Seriously. I'm sure there's good work to be done there though, if that's what someone really wants to do.

In most of those areas, I'd pack a bible, rosary, and anything else to look like a devout Catholic. Definately not foolproof, but it might be a short-cut to make a guilt-ridden connection with a sympathetic kidnapper.

I know a few people that travel to Haiti to support an orphanage / church / school / fish farm compond that we fund. Part of their budget is for armed guards, mostly for the supplies.

Just some random thoughts.

- Boots.
- Small long running light like a Gerber Infinity.
- Water treatment tablets.
- A big boatload of wits.

While I'm sure it's going to get rejected, personally, I'd want:

- Sat. phone.
- GPS. Load it for her if she is disinclined.

-john

Without wishing to downplay the risks of foreign travel, I'd have to point out that of your list:

Spain - modern EU country
NZ - lots of wilderness, but another modern 'western' country

Of the others, Brazil, Mexico and India are large countries, with modern emerging economies. Parts of the countries are very poor, with the attendant problems, but not all of them. Colombia and Kenya would fall into higher risk IMHO.

BUT - more important than the tools you pack will be the mindset and culture. And it concerns me that your post puts all these countries in the same basket. Without letting fly with cliches, this is something that I have seen from some Americans - 'abroad' is scary. Well, it's not all scary, and it varies quite a lot.

Your friend should think about each culture seperately. Going into the backcountry in Kenya is WAY different to travelling between Madrid and Cadiz, and the mindset with which she approaches the locals, and the understanding she has of their practices and culture will be critical.

That said, I'd also make sure I had the basic EDC I have when travelling (SAK, light, whistle, cash etc.) and I'd beef it up a bit for some locations. I'd also make extra sure people knew where I was and when I was expected back.

thanks for the replies all!! Some of your tips will be used, especailly the ones in the PMs.

BRD,
I understand you may have interpreted I put them all in one basket but I defintely do not see them that way... Just today I read in the paper Brazil has 50.000 murders a year (is the new paper right..??? any Brazillians here?) ... making it worse than a war zone. Im a european and lived in 5 european countries inc Spain so not totally unexperienced.

I agree with your post though.

As a footnote I learned last night that in the US every houur someone get shot in the US... so the danger is definetly not less in some oter countries..Then again depends where you travel in the US...

Don't want to turn this into anything too political, but those stats are from cities that do not allow law abiding citizens from carrying firearms.. An armed society is a polite society. Crime capital of the US? Washington DC, a place where law abiding citizens cannot even have loaded firearms in their homes. If someone is breaking into your home, you have to first retrieve your firearm from a locked safe, and then retrieve your ammunition from another locked safe, and then load the firearm. Bullets in a magazine is considered a loaded firearm btw. Another question on that statistic.. Does that include law enforcement officers shooting criminals? .... Just my $0.02

To give you contrast, Mexico City, MX is the crime capital of North America (where all firearms are illegal).. 2000 petty crimes a day every day (roughly a million a year), and over 200 violent crimes every day (rape, murder, etc).. Please note that kidnapping is considered a petty crime unless, however, they kill or rape you...

If you think Brazils numbers are bad, look up Columbia (primarily Bogota)..

Hi everyone!

I'm new to the forum. But I felt I have to respond to the question of a woman living abroad in Spain, since I lived there as an American expat for several years.

Madrid... and Spain in general... I think is a much safer place to live than in most places in the U.S. In Madrid, a woman could walk most streets at night with no fear. I know many women living in Spain who would agree.

Spanish culture is very different I think... violence is much less common than the other areas you mentioned. I felt much safer there, than I do in New York, DC, St. Louis, Chicago, or San Francisco.

My 2 euros worth.

Unless you decide to go for a 8AM stroll, during the second week in July in Pamplona along Santo Domingo Street.. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Sorry I could not resist.. (for those that don't know, that's the encierro, or the running of the bulls).

There are many safe countries... Been to Spain, it was nice, but I was mortified by the bull fighting.. I guess being an American, I always thought it was just the matador and the bull.. Not realizing that these horsemen put spears into the beast before the matador kills it. I was expecting the matador to kill the beast all by him/her self... <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Bullfighting, contrary to popular American belief, is considered by the majority of Spaniards to be cruel and unnecessary. It is not popular there. Although it does have a place in their old traditions. Actually 'futbol' (soccer) rules in Spain as the national sport.

Almost all the Madrillenos (Madridians) I know have never even been to a bullfight, and consider it more of a tourist attraction.

Bullfights tend to be more common in a few of the rural provinces. But if you're in Barcelona, for example, don't even ask for one... you'll be looked down upon, and exaggerate the fact you're a tourist.

Again, I'll emphasize that Spain is a fairly safe country for travel... someone mentioned Madrid to Cadiz?? The 'Renfe' train system is extremely safe and efficient. Much safer than Amtrak I think.

The only worries anywhere in Spain would tend to be pickpockets and thieves. I've never witnessed any act of violence or disruption anywhere in Spain, except for a group of Irish guys on an extended drinking holiday (and I'm Irish <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />).

I went to one bullfight when I lived in Puerto de Santa Maria (Cadiz, Rota) and it was no big deal. As for safety, I didn't see any violent crimes, but lots of car break ins. Don't leave anything in your car where it can be seen. Not even a small towel that might be covering something. A thief would typically use a spark plug or similar tool to break a window and take whatever was easily taken. Happened all the time.