Part 2: How I Protect My Things
In part one of this series we looked at the packing list. (You might also want to check out my photography gear or organizing with Notion.)
Here are the strictly practical steps I follow to avoid losing my passport and my money.
The Passport Stays on You
The passport never goes in the backpack. I always carry it on my person.
- Waterproof Pouch: I put my passport and one bank card in a small IKEA zip bag (0.3L). It saves you from sweat and rain.
- Zippered Pocket: As I mentioned in the clothing list, I wear trousers with zippered pockets. The passport stays in there and I have peace of mind.
How I Split My Money
If you lose everything at once, the trip is over. That's why I keep cash and cards separate.
Cash
- Daily Spending: Around €20–30 in a regular trouser pocket for immediate expenses.
- The Reserve: Everything else goes folded into a money belt with a hidden pocket (e.g. like this one). Nothing shows and I wear it all the time.
Cards
- Main Card: Together with the passport in the zip bag.
- Backup Card: In a completely separate location — usually in some inconspicuous pocket inside the main 40-litre backpack.
Other Documents
Driver's license etc. go in a different pocket from the passport. I avoid constantly opening and closing the "important" pocket where I keep the passport.
Backups for Every Scenario
- Scan & Print: I scan my passport, visas, and ID. A small stack of printed copies lives permanently at the bottom of my backpack.
- Email Myself: I attach everything to an email with the subject line "SOS Documents". I can walk into any internet café if needed and pull them up straight away.
- Photocopies at Hotels: Instead of leaving my actual passport at a hostel reception (and risking walking out without it), I very often hand them a photocopy instead.
Three Simple Habits
- The Pat-Down: To make sure everything is there, you give your passport pocket a discreet tap as you walk.
- Forget the Belt: Treat the money in the belt as if it doesn't exist. Don't reach for it in the middle of the street or at the checkout.
- Scan the Room: One last look at the spot where you were sitting before you leave — the café, the train, the hotel room.
Travel safety doesn't require anxiety. Do these 2–3 steps systematically at the start and they become routine.
Happy travels! Evangelos
