Hound Hacks

Traveling to Developing Countries

By Nate Ferraro '13

For a travel experience that takes you to a place unlike anything you’ve known, consider visiting Africa, Asia, or South America. Over the past few years, Nate Ferraro ’13 has been doing research for various organizations in rural Armenia, Somalia, and now Jordan. “I’ve found that people are hospitable in all countries,” says Ferraro, who has useful tips for traveling to and within developing countries.

1. Buy a portable luggage scale. Mine has saved me so much money from not having overweight bags and getting hit with surcharges at the gate.
2. Wrap your checked luggage in plastic. It deters people from rifling through your bag and costs just $15. Locks are good, but they don’t always work, and TSA locks are easier to break open than you might think.
3. Choose ugly luggage. I travel with the worst-looking luggage I can find. My thinking is that if the bag looks crappy, there’s probably crap in it. My goal is a bag that looks worse and harder to break into than someone else’s.
4. Ride with Uber when you can. Cabbies will be able to identify you as a foreigner or tourist as soon as you step into their car. It doesn’t matter if you speak the language and know where you are going; they will upcharge you. Never get into a cab without a meter, and keep an eye on the cabbie who may press buttons to speed up the meter. It’s best to agree on a price beforehand.
5. Always learn a few phrases in the language
 of the area you will be visiting. You might not be able to communicate fully, but simply making an effort is, for the most part, very appreciated by the local people.
6. Use common sense when traveling (it’s common sense because it works everywhere): Don’t flash cash, don’t be loud and obnoxious, and don’t stop to look at your phone on a busy street.