Ash Jurberg, an experienced traveler who has visited 109 countries, encountered two significant issues with his passport due to water damage while vacationing in Colombia and Japan. Despite the extensive travel experience, he made a critical error that nearly stranded him abroad twice. Both incidents occurred during rainy outings, leading to severe damage to his passport. The first incident happened during a hiking trip in Colombia where relentless rain soaked his documents. Years later, a baseball game in Japan under similar weather conditions caused even more damage to a brand-new passport. These experiences taught Jurberg the importance of safeguarding essential travel documents.

Waterlogged Woes: A Tale of Two Countries

In the heart of Tayrona National Park, Colombia, Ash Jurberg and his group embarked on a scenic hike through lush rainforests. Unbeknownst to them, a massive storm was brewing overhead. As they trekked for hours, the downpour transformed the trail into a series of small streams. By the time they reached their accommodation, everything in Jurberg's daypack, including his passport, was thoroughly drenched. The remote location limited options for drying out the damaged documents, causing anxiety during border crossings upon departure.

Years later, Jurberg found himself at a baseball game in Osaka, Japan. Another unexpected rainstorm hit, but this time, his passport was carelessly tucked away in his back pocket. Immersed in the excitement, he failed to notice the gradual water damage until it was too late. Back at the hotel, the extent of the damage became clear—the pages were stuck together, and ink had started to run. At immigration, officials scrutinized the damaged document, eventually allowing him through but advising a replacement upon return home.

These two close calls underscored the importance of protecting travel documents. Since then, Jurberg has adopted a strict rule: always keep his passport in a waterproof cover. This simple precaution could have spared him the stress and cost associated with replacing a damaged passport.

From a reader’s perspective, these incidents highlight the need for vigilance when traveling. While encountering understanding officials can be fortunate, relying on luck is not a sustainable strategy. Investing in protective measures for important documents ensures smoother travels and peace of mind. After all, a little prevention can save a lot of trouble.