The recent death of Yvonne “Eve” Trumpet-Nicholson has bothered my soul.
She is the second Brooklyn-based Trinidadian woman to have her throat slashed and killed in two weeks, by someone she knew. The first was Erica Renaud.
According to news reports, Trumpet-Nicholson who is a dual U.S. / T&T citizen, returned home to Trinidad, as she frequently does, to handle her business affairs. However, her family realized something was awry when Trumpet-Nicholson didn’t reach out as she would normally do when she arrived at Piarco Int’l Airport, and during her daily happenings. She left on November 14th but her decomposing body was found five days later by hunters, far from the airport and her St. Augustine home. Her 51-year-old deportee nephew ( deported after serving 10 years for sexual offenses), who was living rent-free in her home, is now a suspect in her murder. He denies any involvement. Read the initial story HERE and pending investigation HERE.
T&T and Jamaica Listed on World’s 20 Most Dangerous Countries
With many of us and our loved ones traveling locally and abroad, I wanted to share a list to remind you that we should ALWAYS let our loved ones and trusted friends know of our whereabouts – especially when we are on solo trips!
Though there is no foolproof way of being safe, being proactive and extra vigilant prove effective in most scenarios.
Here’s a checklist I’ve compiled to help with your next trip:
1. Share your itinerary with your loved ones.
I know for some people, sharing every travel detail of your trip might seem intrusive. However, alerting loved ones of the dates you are traveling is a helpful way to have them check -in with you to ensure you’re okay and look out for your return. Flight information, contact for the hotel or place of your stay, or an additional contact number for a local person who will have access to you.
2. Provide access to tracking apps with someone you trust.
In this day and age it’s really easy to drop a pin of your location. Go into your phone or chat app (like Whatsapp) location settings to allow your friends to see exactly where you are or where you were last at! As a mom, I use my Iphone’s Family Sharing setting to share location with my teenage daughter and vice versa. We also use the Mappen app.
3. Don’t post your travel details on social media.
You be may be fully aware of everyone on your social media lists, however, we’ve also learned that it’s often those closest to you who use your information to hurt you. If you must share you travel on social, wait until after your return. Posting your every live movement on social media isn’t really safe. For this reason I no longer use the consumer tracking app FourSquare.
4. Have someone you trust to pick you up from the airport.
This is a very important rule one should always follow. Whether it’s an uncle or friend or trusted partner, always have someone you trust pick you up. It’s also really helpful to hire a local driver to transport you when away and especially when you’re in another country. Don’t hesitate to spend a little extra to hire a tour guide or a highly-recommended local travel buddy. Safety is something you should easily pay for!
5. If you don’t have one already, get a sim card as soon as possible.
How many people do you know have a US phone and a phone they use specifically for traveling abroad? It’s an essential tool in your safety arsenal. That’s why I have always kept my old T-Mobile phones.
6. Keep all phones fully charged and keep portable chargers with you.
It sounds like a no-brainer but seriously…Don’t be that person in an emergency with a dead phone! For this reason, I prefer having a Mophie battery case for my phone rather than a stylish designer case.
7. Never leave your drink unattended when at bars.
It’s what we teach our daughters when they start going out with friends, however, this rule applies to everyone. Drinking impairs your judgement and your reflexes. Try to limit your alcohol intake if you are on solo trip or unsure of your surroundings. Instead, order a soda water with lime, no one would your secret! Never allow a stranger to buy a drink for you!
8. Say NO to flashy jewelry.
Many freshwater Yankees, they love to flash their brands and jewels (real or fake) when they travel back to their homelands. If you do this, you’re essentially making yourself a shiny target. You’re begging to be robbed! So try not to wear flashy jewelry, show off your cash or bring unnecessary attention to yourself. Be discreet in your wardrobe and spending.
9. Make copies of your documents, take one copy with you and leave another with your family.
In my checklist titled, “Are You Prepared For Sudden Death?” I highlighted very important actions in preparation for our inevitable deaths. However, always make sure you have a photocopy of your passport, visa, citizenship (and certificates of disposition if necessary) in your purse or travel bag at all times.
10. Be vigilant at all times.
PAY ATTENTION. PAY ATTENTION. PAY ATTENTION. If something doesn’t feel right remove yourself. If your gut tells you don’t go somewhere, don’t. If your spidey senses tingles around someone you are not sure about, leave. Have a plan of action or safety drill in place, should you be faced with a life or death emergency. You can never be over prepared for the worse.
It’s scary out here folks, please be safe!
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