Yesterday I was driving along I-94 in Saint Paul, Minnesota, when suddenly I panicked, “Oh crap! I’m not wearing my money belt.”
Of course, my terror only lasted a split second before reason took over. But, this lack of money belt panic has hit me numerous times since I’ve been back in the States. It’s as though some part of me is missing and my body freaks out when it’s not there.
See, I wore my money belt everyday while traveling. Even when it was ridiculously hot, even in a skirt. There was security in knowing exactly where my passport, extra cash, and credit cards were at all times. We probably didn’t need to wear them everyday as most places we visited were far safer than the U.S., but it was that extra feeling of security that mentally helps you when traveling. Plus, it would have been a HUGE hassle had our passports been lost or stolen. So, now that I’m not wearing my money belt everyday, I get these spells of what I call “phantom money belt.”
And for the first time since I can remember, we don’t have a future trip planned. So who knows when I’ll be wearing my money belt again.
In the next few weeks we’ll finish up our posts on stories from Belize, Guatemala, and Argentina. Then we’ll move back to focusing on sustainable travel.
We have some exciting series planned, so be sure to check back!
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I never wear a money belt. Everyone knows you have it so your not really hiding anything.
I agree that many people realize you’re wearing one, so for me it’s not so much about hiding as it is about the security of knowing exactly where my passport is. (I’m one of those people who put things in “safe places” and not remember where exactly that safe place is.) In a way, my money belt is more of a form of organization.