clone it…
Does anyone actually read their passport? Did anyone ever notice the part that tells you to make two photocopies before you leave home? Leave one copy at home and one with you in a different location than your passport. Hmmm….I sure didn’t.
But I remember a long time ago, someone told me to make photo copies of my credit cards front and back. You are suppose to call the number on the back if you lose it…but if you lost the card, how do you know what number to call?
So as we prepared for our first “international” travel together, I told Brian to give me his passport because I wanted to make copies of his and mine. I made two and put one set away and packed one in our suitcases. I figured it couldn’t hurt.
Never did I know that I would “lose” my passport between leaving my home and making it pass the security gate at the airport. We took a chance and hopped on the plane to FL. I mean, our luggage was on its way there anyway. Fingers crossed, I approached the Carnival agent at the airport. It was packed and I had to wait for what seemed like forever to speak to the agent. His first question was “Do you happen to have a copy?”
Me: “yes”
Agent: “Do you happen to have it with you?”
Me: “yes!!” (the crowd of people surrounding us asked in unison, Why would you have a copy? as if I were crazy.)
Agent: “You are good to go then”
It wasn’t until later did we analyze Brian’s passport and realize that it says in your book that you should make copies and do just as I had done. I did it as a precaution but OMG, I’m so doing it everytime from now on.
So everyone that is taking a cruise or doing any kind of traveling abroad, CLONE your passport and leave copies in various places. Preferably with a family or friend that can email or fax a copy to you in case you lose your original and the copy you had with you.