I herd something about copying your passport and keeping the original at home whats this all about ??? Also if I do bring my PP should I have it with me at all times or can I keep it locked up in a locker at a hostel
Will

HEy NB, Long time no type!!!! Every bit oif info I have ever heard has been " LEAVE THE PASSPORT COPIES AT HOME, AND TAKE THE ORIGINAL WITH YOU

Your passort should be with you at all times, the law can request to see it, and if you get hurt out on the street they will know to contact your embassy.

Do not leave your original at home my friend, take it with you and guard it with your life.

Carry your passport on you, leave a set of copies with your gear, and as extra backup, leave a set of copies with your parents or friends at home. Also, leave a list of credit card and other id numbers with your family, so you can call them at 3 am when your wallet gets misplaced and ask them to cancel all your cards for you, instead of having to do it from Timbuktu. Not that that could ever happen...

If you don't want to risk having copies of your personal stuff (passport, birth cert, drivers' license) you could always scan them into a computer and email them to yourself, that way they are available to be printed out in case you lose your originals. Might be safer than having paper copies in your bag. Just a thought. :ph34r:

Good suggestions all. I hadn't thought of this stuff.

[/quote]scan them into a computer and email them to yourself[quote]

Wow! That's a great idea. Last time I did the solo thing, the internet was just a baby. Man I'm old!

Not to sound paranoid, but I would scan an electronic copy AND bring a hard copy or two to leave in your bag. If the scanned copy prints out really crappy and illegible, it will be useless (which depending on your scanner, type of file you scan it to, etc can happen sometimes). Also, in general its ALWAYS good to have a backup copy with you when traveling because it is much easier to get a lost passport quickly replaced if you have a photocopy with you - don't just leave it at home (though that is good to do as as well as additional backup). If you only have a copy at home - how will it get to you in a time of need? Fax, perhaps? Well, likely it will not fax legibly - they are tough to fax (at least U.S. ones). Just my two cents.

I kept a photocopy of my passport in a little zipper pocket that is inside the main storage compartment of my big pack (along with a spare CC and some cash). That was my emergency hoard.