When travelling abroad register with the Embassy!

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Gromit
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Joined: Mon Aug 28, 2006 2:11 pm
Location: Northern Virginia

When travelling abroad register with the Embassy!

Post by Gromit »

We all love to travel. But in this day and age this also means taking on certain risks.

Believe me when I say that I hate the concept of "Big Brother" and want to think that I can come and go on this planet as I please and with impunity.

BUT the realites of politics and power in this world always get in the way.

Now more than ever it is important that US citizens notify the State Department when they travel abroad and register with the US Embassy in the country of their destination.

It only takes a few minutes to do on-line and hopefully you won't ever have an issue that requires help from your Embassy. But you just never know.

You could suffer a major health issue; be in an accident; a natural disaster could occur; legal issues; or even civil and political unrest could impact your travels negatively. And quite frankly any of these things could happen ANYWHERE.

The hard working foreign service officers are there to help you and protect you as a US citizen. But, as my friend who is a Foreign Service officer currently serving in Africa said, "We can't help you if we don't know where you are."

They need to know that you are there so that they can communicate with you when there is a problem and even evacuate you if necessary.

On recent trips to Italy and the Czech Republic (not exactly hotbeds of civil or political unrest!) we registered with the Emabssy. It was quick and easy and it provided some peace of mind.

Please check out this page on the State Department web site and make it part of your trip pre-planning efforts.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/reg ... _1186.html

Happy and Safe Travels!
*Another fine scatterbrained production
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byado18
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Joined: Thu Oct 26, 2006 8:11 pm
Location: Central Illinois

Post by byado18 »

Last year when I was doing a lot of traveling, I did this.

While I was in Ecuador, I got updates on the volcano that was active.

It certainly made my family more comfortable to know I would be aware of what was going on and that my contact with US officials would be easier!
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loria
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Joined: Fri Oct 03, 2008 3:33 pm
Location: NY

Post by loria »

ok, just sayin' that this is EXCELLENT advice.
ESPECIALLY if you are traveling in a lesser developed country or a country where stuff happens.

thank you again Gromit--for the PSA and all your help with my Brother.

folks, pay attention to this lady, she knows what she's talking about!
< leaving on the 22nd of march...but too lame to figure out the ticker thing again!>
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