For Journey + Leisure’s column Touring As, we’re speaking to vacationers about what it’s wish to discover the world by means of their distinctive views. We talked to Evy Poumpouras, a former U.S. Secret Service agent, who has protected presidents Barack Obama, Invoice Clinton, and each George W. Bush and George H.W. Bush. She additionally obtained a United States Secret Service Valor Award as a 9/11 first responder, authored a e book referred to as «Becoming Bulletproof,» and co-hosted Bravo’s Spy Games. Poumpouras mentioned how her international travels have formed her life, and the way we are able to all grow to be smarter vacationers. Here is her story….

The one place I ever went in my childhood was Greece. My mother and father had been immigrants, and the primary purpose they despatched us again to the “motherland,” as my brother and I referred to as it, was baby care. From the time I used to be 3 years outdated, my grandmother would watch me. I keep in mind sitting on the aircraft quietly and seeing her raise our stuff off the bags declare belt.

I used to be born in Harlem and grew up in Washington Heights and later in public housing in Queens. In Greece, I might go to my mom’s village — Argyroupoli — which I don’t assume was even on a map. 

We had chickens, a donkey, and a swing that was hung with a rope on a tree. The restroom — a gap within the floor with two bricks on the aspect in your ft — was related to the rooster coop within the again. Even taking a shower was a manufacturing. We needed to boil water and use a plastic basin.

However if you develop up like that, it is simply one other dwelling. I noticed two distinctive worlds, and with out realizing it, it made me extra adaptable. You respect the issues you will have at dwelling, however you additionally respect the simplicity of village life.

As I obtained older, I felt like I wanted to see extra of the world. My first research overseas was in Italy. My mindset was that Greece is subsequent to Italy, so if I obtained homesick, I may hop on a 45-minute aircraft trip to see my household.

I did six months there on the American College of Rome. It was a tremendous expertise and gave me publicity to the world. Once I got here again to the U.S., I wished extra. These had been costly journeys, so I might come again, work three part-time jobs in a single semester, after which do my subsequent journey. 

Subsequent, I did a semester in Mexico. We realized concerning the individuals of Chiapas, and commerce (NAFTA had simply kicked in) and the way it impacted the nation. The teacher I traveled with to Mexico was Dr. Linda Longmire. Her purpose was to show us concerning the world, however not by means of a textbook. I used to be learning political science and worldwide relations, so I went together with her on one other program referred to as the European Odyssey. 

We flew to Paris and rented two large vans for the category and mapped a visit throughout Europe and northern Africa. Alongside the way in which, I realized Italian and Spanish, however these experiences additionally made me unafraid about touring.

This helped me after I joined the U.S. Secret Service. By the point I went into the service, I spoke 5 languages — Greek, Italian, Spanish, French, and English — actually realized from my travels. I later additionally realized Arabic alone. This was uncommon on the time, and it helped me get recruited as a result of the place usually offers with world leaders and international governments.

I used to be one among few feminine brokers, however I didn’t thoughts. I may sit there and say, «Oh, they do not assume I belong or look the half.» However my present was exactly that I didn’t look the half.

Once I traveled, I at all times felt secure — secret service brokers are a part of the federal authorities. Airways liked having us on, too, as a result of we supplied an additional degree of security. 

Typically, we’d journey with former presidents and First Women. I truly did have President George W. Bush’s, daughter, Barbara Pierce Bush, for a while. We might take industrial flights to Africa, the place she did humanitarian work for AIDS. The most important factor we needed to do was mix in so no person observed her (or us), so we wearing a approach that did not draw consideration to ourselves. That was in all probability one purpose I obtained assigned to Barbara — we had been shut in age, so we regarded extra like associates.

We went to clinics the place youngsters had been coping with the illness. It was humbling to be there. We additionally went to locations the place we needed to be cautious. We at all times labored with the native police, however we needed to watch what info we had been sharing. We made sound choices, and we had secure journeys. That is what individuals can take away: You may journey and have a good time — simply be proactive.

Whenever you’re with a sitting president on Air Power One, that’s a complete different sport. Technically, no matter aircraft the president flies on turns into Air Power One.

After we did fly industrial, one of many coolest issues was getting to sit down within the soar seat within the cockpit with the pilot and co-pilot. It’s for safety. You may relay messages sooner and radio for assist. In the event that they want further muscle functionality, you are there.

Each time I obtained on a flight, I did an evaluation: The place are the doorways? Is the individual sitting subsequent to me able to dealing with any state of affairs? Are they in a position to open the door if there’s an emergency? Who would I am going to for power? Little issues like that — simply being conscious of the setting. It is to not be destructive — it’s simply what we’d name a situational report.

Whenever you undergo TSA, there are indicators that talk out in opposition to violence. However the TSA is there to verify everybody stays secure and typically that will get misplaced. I perceive it’s annoying, but it surely’s not the TSA’s fault. Whenever you move by means of, saying «thanks» can go a great distance. 

Bringing that power onto a flight is useful, too. I’ve discovered most individuals are sort and can allow you to. This summer season, I traveled with my 2-year-old toddler. We obtained on the aircraft and had been doing the whole lot to maintain her quiet and calm. The individuals round us had been so gracious. An airline steward took her for a stroll, and one other passenger in a bulkhead who had further room took her for a bit.

We frequently lose sight of individuals being real and good. So, regardless of me having that consciousness of the risks that exist on this planet, it is balanced by different individuals who wish to assist.

Journey is so necessary as a result of it helps you join with the world. It makes you extra open and accepting of others. You respect the place you come from, however you additionally respect different locations. You be taught humility, and that your approach is just not the one approach. Touring is an effective way to unite individuals.

Edited by Rachel Chang