Plan your trip, Episode III: administrative.
Friday, August 21st, 2009
I will not dwell too much on this article because the law is a step that I do not really and I really want to do without. But then, our western world is governed by the laws, insurance policies and any other country, as authentic as it is, will require a minimum of paperwork to enter (some more than others).
The first thing is obviously to ensure that his passport is in order, and it corresponds with the requirements of the countries visited. A simple call to the United States requires a biometric passport or visa ... almost 100 €. Attention also to countries that do not issue visas on the spot. Getting back at the airport because it lacks a visa is never a good time. This seems so obvious, and yet ... If you cross several countries, forget watching!
A small audit recommended vaccines does not hurt. For my part, I always step back to the spirit of "medicalization" of our society. If you have any recommendations for medical leave for Asia for example, it would be virtually no vaccines in a month that would make a life with those we need to do from birth. After looking and took different views, I was given no treatment for Asia, and am none the worse. However, I could get away with the same lightness when I left for Africa or other country where certain diseases are highly contagious and serious.
The last point should not be taken lightly the matter of insurance. I'm not paranoid or fearful of its kind, but some bad adventures experienced by friends or other passengers pushed me to take more precautions. An injury during a trekk, a health problem, such unexpected watching everyone without exception. An evacuation is expensive, very expensive especially if you are in isolated locations and at high altitudes.
It's very daunting, but I recommend to thoroughly research the conditions and amounts covered by insurance: if you are to make a pass at over 4000m (it does so very quickly in Nepal or Peru for example), forget the Repatriation of your insurance card, you will need an option "Altitude". Even travel insurance offer a little amount limits for evacuations by helicopter. Beware of "subtleties" of terms like "disease" or "accidents". Some insurance covers one and not necessarily the other. If you stay several months in a country, it is important:.
Yet we must keep in mind that insurance did not help in some very remote areas and that vigilance remains the best way to avoid trouble. ...
I make copies of the first page of my passport, my insurance contract, and I keep them in one of my bags. I also left a copy on the server computer to my site, accessible from any internet point. It costs nothing and in case of theft or loss, make these small precautions, in my opinion, the situation a little less painful.
That is what is the paperwork. It takes me some time and finally allows me peace of mind and I "disconnect" once fully established. In the next article in this series, I'd do a quick tour of the equipment that I take in my bag, and we'll be ready to go ... 
