Former U.S. Secret Service Agent Evy Poumpouras on How Touring the World Modified Her

For Journey + Leisure’s column Touring As, we’re speaking to vacationers about what it’s wish to discover the world by 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 “Turning into Bulletproof,” and co-hosted Bravo’s Spy Video games. Poumpouras mentioned how her international travels have formed her life, and the way we will all develop into smarter vacationers. This is her story….

The one place I ever went in my childhood was Greece. My dad and mom have been immigrants, and the principle motive they despatched us again to the “motherland,” as my brother and I referred to as it, was youngster care. From the time I used to be 3 years previous, my grandmother would watch me. I bear in mind sitting on the aircraft quietly and seeing her raise our stuff off the luggage 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’d 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 facet in your ft — was linked 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 once you develop up like that, it is simply one other house. I noticed two distinctive worlds, and with out realizing it, it made me extra adaptable. You recognize the issues you’ve got at house, however you additionally recognize the simplicity of village life.

As I bought 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 bought homesick, I might hop on a 45-minute aircraft journey 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 have been costly journeys, so I’d 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 discovered 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 objective was to show us concerning the world, however not by 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 enormous vans for the category and mapped a visit throughout Europe and northern Africa. Alongside the best way, I discovered 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 discovered from my travels. I later additionally discovered Arabic by myself. This was uncommon on the time, and it helped me get recruited as a result of the place typically offers with world leaders and international governments.

I used to be one in all few feminine brokers, however I didn’t thoughts. I might sit there and say, “Oh, they do not assume I belong or look the half.” However my reward was exactly that I didn’t look the half.

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

Generally, 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 largest factor we needed to do was mix in so no person observed her (or us), so we wearing a method that did not draw consideration to ourselves. That was most likely one motive I bought assigned to Barbara — we have been shut in age, so we appeared extra like mates.

We went to clinics the place youngsters have 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 have been sharing. We made sound selections, and we had protected journeys. That is what individuals can take away: You’ll be able to journey and have a good time — simply be proactive.

If you’re with a sitting president on Air Power One, that’s an entire different recreation. Technically, no matter aircraft the president flies on turns into Air Power One.

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

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

If you undergo TSA, there are indicators that talk out in opposition to violence. However the TSA is there to ensure everybody stays protected and typically that will get misplaced. I perceive it’s annoying, however it’s not the TSA’s fault. If you go by, saying “thanks” can go a great distance. 

Bringing that power onto a flight is useful, too. I’ve discovered most individuals are variety and can enable you to. This summer time, I traveled with my 2-year-old toddler. We bought on the aircraft and have been doing every little thing to maintain her quiet and calm. The individuals round us have been so gracious. An airline steward took her for a stroll, and one other passenger in a bulkhead who had additional room took her for a bit.

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

Journey is so vital as a result of it helps you join with the world. It makes you extra open and accepting of others. You recognize the place you come from, however you additionally recognize different locations. You study humility, and that your method isn’t the one method. Touring is an effective way to unite individuals.

Edited by Rachel Chang