Former U.S. Secret Service Agent Evy Poumpouras on How Traveling the World Changed Her

For Journey + Leisure’s column Touring As, we’re speaking to vacationers about what it’s prefer 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 acquired a United States Secret Service Valor Award as a 9/11 first responder, authored a guide known as “Becoming Bulletproof,” and co-hosted Bravo’s Spy Games. Poumpouras mentioned how her world travels have formed her life, and the way we are able to all turn into smarter vacationers. This 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 known as it, was youngster care. From the time I used to be 3 years previous, my grandmother would watch me. I keep in mind sitting on the airplane 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’d go to my mom’s village — Argyroupoli — which I don’t suppose 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 to 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 while 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 respect the issues you will have at house, however you additionally respect the simplicity of village life.

As I acquired older, I felt like I wanted to see extra of the world. My first examine overseas was in Italy. My mindset was that Greece is subsequent to Italy, so if I acquired homesick, I might hop on a 45-minute airplane experience 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. After I got here again to the U.S., I needed extra. These had 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 in regards to the individuals of Chiapas, and commerce (NAFTA had simply kicked in) and the way it impacted the nation. The trainer I traveled with to Mexico was Dr. Linda Longmire. Her objective was to show us in regards to the world, however not by a textbook. I used to be finding out political science and worldwide relations, so I went together with her on one other program known as the European Odyssey. 

We flew to Paris and rented two big 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 once 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 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 in all few feminine brokers, however I didn’t thoughts. I might sit there and say, “Oh, they do not suppose I belong or look the half.” However my present was exactly that I didn’t look the half.

After I traveled, I at all times felt secure — 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. 

Typically, we might journey with former presidents and First Girls. I truly did have President George W. Bush’s, daughter, Barbara Pierce Bush, for a while. We’d take business 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 purpose I acquired assigned to Barbara — we had been shut in age, so we appeared 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 data we had been sharing. We made sound choices, and we had secure journeys. That is what individuals can take away: You’ll be able to journey and have a good time — simply be proactive.

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

Once we did fly business, one of many coolest issues was getting to take a seat within the soar 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 acquired on a flight, I did an evaluation: The place are the doorways? Is the particular person 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 adverse — it’s simply what we might name a situational report.

Once you undergo TSA, there are indicators that talk out towards violence. However the TSA is there to ensure everybody stays secure and generally that will get misplaced. I perceive it’s annoying, nevertheless it’s not the TSA’s fault. Once you go by, saying “thanks” can go a good distance. 

Bringing that power onto a flight is useful, too. I’ve discovered most individuals are sort and can enable you to. This summer season, I traveled with my 2-year-old toddler. We acquired on the airplane and had been doing every part 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 additional 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 vital 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 method will not be the one method. Touring is a good way to unite individuals.

Edited by Rachel Chang