Expat Files - Decoys - 01/18/13

-Part 5, the last installment of Johnny’s essential “cheap and dirty” travel kit. More descriptions of useful items I carry when traveling and/or exploring as well as additional travel tips for your safety and security:

-Kitchen utensils; a few you want to bring and which ones to leave back in Cleveland.

- Using decoy wallets, cellphones, fanny packs, computers and credit cards; your best defense against common crooks in crowded places

-How pairs of stealthy pickpockets and common thieves operate in public places and spaces

-We don’t recommend you ride chicken buses, but what about the much better looking public METRO transportation systems (with nice Mercedes Benz buses) you find most of the larger Latin cites these days? Well, neither are recommended -unless you are poor lower or middle class working stiff and don't have a car. Here’s why!

-Those pocket translator devices have come a long, long way since their big, bulky and hulky days. With one of the latest little devices even language challenged dummies (like I used to be) can get a thing or two across to the locals in no time - and vice versa. So, should you dish out 250 bucks or more and get one? I say no, no, no, and here’s why….

-Every year Latin America tops the charts for world class coffee. What’s $30 to $50 a pound at your Cleveland Starbucks goes for five bucks a pound here. So why not indulge? Here are some tips on how you too can enjoy world-class coffee on the cheap

- A quick update for loyal listeners; please consider joining our growing social media community. Just search for Expat Wisdom on Facebook or Twitter, and you’ll never miss a breaking report or an important expat update."

-I’ve put together a mixed media program specifically for expats and wanabees called the 'New 5 Flags'. Just head over immediately to ExpatWisdom.com and get all the details. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

-Follow the link on the main page at www.ExpatWisdom.com to schedule a consultation with me. If you want to discuss the details of living, working, playing, doing business and/or retiring in Latin America, now you and I can talk about your situation one on one