Orient is a Latin word meaning east. There are three countries in this year’s World Cup that hail from the Middle East (Iran) and the Far East (Japan and the Korea Republic).

Travel to these destinations can be challenging. With Iran, it’s the government while Japan is expensive and prone to earthquakes and the Korea Republic is dangerously close to its volatile neighbour to the north, the D.P.R.K. (the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea).

Here are a few preparatory tips to help ease the stress of travelling to an unpredictable place:

• Pack photocopies of all your travel documents.
• Register with your embassy or their representative in the dubious nation you will be travelling.
• Inform family/friends/loved ones of your travel plans and leave them with photocopies of your passport, tickets and itinerary.

Should natural disaster or political upheaval ensue, at least your whereabouts are known making it easier to get help.
Sorry, there is no suggestion for dealing with the expense of travel in Japan. Umm…save more money.

 

“One thing we can do is make the choice to view the world in a healthy way. We can choose to see the world as safe with only moments of danger rather than seeing the world as dangerous with only moments of safety.”
~Deepak Chopra~