DEAR ABBY: I thought the letter from Ruth A. Davis of the U.S. State Department regarding consular officers at embassies abroad was both interesting and informative.
Several years ago, my husband and I were in Italy with another couple when our trunk was broken into. Everything was taken -- including my friend's purse containing her and her husband's passports.
Needless to say, it caused us untold problems. We had to change our travel plans to include a visit to the U.S. consulate in Milan. Fortunately, the hotel we had stayed at the prior evening had recorded our passport numbers so we were able to call and obtain the much-needed information. Only then could the embassy quickly issue new passports.
We learned a valuable lesson that you might like to pass on to your readers, Abby. Make a copy of your passport before you leave home and carry it with you while abroad, separate from your original passport. -- INFORMED TRAVELER, ATLANTA
DEAR INFORMED TRAVELER: Thank you for a helpful reminder. Another worthwhile safety measure: Record the numbers of your traveler's checks and keep them separate from the checks, in case of theft.