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here's nothing like a Central American bus trip to remind me of the need for a little common sense while traveling. Nothing bad happened to me, my ride was great fun, but I was still glad I'd bought small padlocks for my case and backpack. I dozed off for an hour with out any worrying. I also made sure my stuff got on the bus when I did. You can't assume that someone will do it when you're out of sight. And you want to practice how many things you can comfortably carry at home. I'm good for a backpack and a shoulder bag; anything more and I'm likely to leave it behind. If I can, I sit on both while I'm on a bus, or at the very least put my foot or hand through the strap. That way, if I'm lucky enough to doze off, they're pro tected. Every country, including Canada, has its share of criminals; don't make it easy for them. If you must have two drinks too many, stay in the safety of your own hotel; this is not the time to go off with strangers to explore the neighbour hood. And don't leave your most important asset -- your brains -- at home. You want to keep your wits about you when you're travelling You also want to protect them, , so wear a helmet if your holiday includes hopping on an ATV, a motorcycle or a scooter, and don't have three beers before you do. Better yet, stay off them; they're just as dangerous on holidays as they are at home. Going on holidays can be a scary experience. We read about tourists being robbed, beaten, even murdered, and all too often Don't leave your brains at home T we scratch another destination off our list. Paranoia can easily ruin a holi day that a little common sense and research could save. What precautions should we take, before we go, and while we're away? Before you travel, inform your self about which areas of foreign countries aren't considered safe for tourists. The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade is a good place to start. You can pull up their Web site for a list of countries where travel is not recommended and warning about other problems, too. For instance, it made me sad to read that Canadians traveling in Costa Rica should be cautious on beaches^ The department suggests travel ing during daylight hours and avoiding stops en route to" your final destination. Avoid camping overnight on beaches. But that's a caution to use in all developing countries. Drive in the daylight. There are too many cows, donkeys, and human beings on the roads, and perhaps because of the cost you'll Sam Ion often find vehicles without head lights. We're not hearing about attacks on tourists in Florida at the moment, but again, you should be careful on rural roads and in rest areas, avoiding those with no security. Remain on welltravelled, well-lit streets and high ways and again don't drive at night. If you get lost, don't stop along the road, go to a police station or service station, if you're flying somewhere first, try to arrive in credit cads, and traveller's cheques the daylight hours and take the in a separate spot, and be sure to shuttle bus to your hotel, then have two extra passport pictures signed by your accountant. If you arrange for your car rental. Don't carry large amounts of do lose your passport, you need money and be careful not to flash pictures to get a one time re-entry it, when paying bills at stores and passport. And you also need the restaurants. And remember, what names, addresses, and phone isn't much money to you could be numbers of twb close friends back a fortune to someone else. Be at home to vouch for you. Store your valuables in the extra careful at the bank machine. Choose an ATM in a well-lit area in hotel safe and lock your hotel a busy place, even if you have to room door. Do not open the door without knowing who it is. If take a cab to find one. Protect yourself; don't carry you're the slightest bit uneasy visible signs of wealth. If you' ve phone the front desk. Lock your got it, your holiday is n o tthe time car doors too, and leave your car in a supervised lot if possible. to flaunt it. Leave all your jewelry at home Make sure none of your belong in the safety deposit box, even the ings show in the locked car. Don't put down cameras and junk jewelry that looks real. If you can't stand the thought purses on the beach while you of losing your favourite sweater, have a swim, either leave them locked in the trunk of the car, or leave it home too. Carry your valuables, passport, locked in your room. If you're walking an isolated credit cards and most of your cash in a neck or waist pouch that goes beach, ask if it is safe, go with under your clothing. Don't flash someone, and leave your camera and purse safely locked up money around, or show off local Currency, even if it does seem behind. 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