I like the idea of bringing chickens. I think they are a universal currency.

You can't bring chickens in your carry-on baggage: their blood causes them to exceed liquid limits and, anyway, they won't fit in those pesky bags (and if they did, they would suffocate).

Furthermore, if you got them alive to one of those strange places that you call "foreign", then you would have a problem fitting them in your fanny pack.

(By the way, users of British and Irish versions of English are unsettled by the term "fanny pack"; it conjures up rude images.)

Padraig,

Loved your post, except for the reference to "British and Irish versions of English".

That makes it sound as though the British and Irish "versions of English" are somehow subsequent to the original.

The language is called ENGLISH, not effin AMERICAN.

Chimani - That is on our list of things to change.

:)

chimani, my difficulty was in finding a form of expression that was sufficiently succinct, especially as I am a speaker of Hiberno-English and believe in my separate linguistic identity. Scots and Welsh and Geordies and others can speak for themselves in whatever form of English they use.

But I suspect that we are all unsettled by the expression "fanny pack".

Will somebody tell me why it's called fanny pack (or bum bag)? The bag is attached around your waist and has very little to do with anything behind or below it.

In German, we say "Bauchtasche" or belly bag. More appropriate IMO.

The post is a bit ironic since so many tourists going to Puerto Vallarta are worried about theft there.

I don't know why you need to be walking around with all your money and/or passport. Just carry one CC, some cash and leave the rest at your hotel safe. Hopefully you will stay in hotels with safes in the room or at reception.

Another vote against wearing a fanny pack with all your valuables. We were in South America waiting to join a cruise, and a lady was wearing a fanny pack with all her valuables. Someone ran up and ripped the fanny pack off and disappeared. She did not board the cruise the next day as she had to replace her passport, credit cards, etc. So you need to figure out away to conceal most of your valuables. As mentioned above, you can purchase clothing with concealed pockets. You can also pin or sew pockets inside your clothing.

CraigPV,
We live full time in SMdA, Gto., MX and travel internationally many times a year - always use (USAA) no fee ATM for local cash and low fee CC's.
Never had a problem as long as you avoid the dreaded DCC.
M

use a neck wallet and, if needed, a waist wallet and the hotel safe and simply carry what you need for the day and a copy of your passport. fanny packs with valuables are an invitation to theft.