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 acquired a United States Secret Service Valor Award as a 9/11 first responder, authored a ebook known as “Changing into Bulletproof,” and co-hosted Bravo’s Spy Video games. Poumpouras mentioned how her world travels have formed her life, and the way we will all develop into smarter vacationers. Here is her story….

The one place I ever went in my childhood was Greece. My mother and father have been immigrants, and the principle cause they despatched us again to the “motherland,” as my brother and I known as it, was little one care. From the time I used to be 3 years outdated, my grandmother would watch me. I bear 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 might 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 toes — 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 while 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 might have at dwelling, 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 may hop on a 45-minute airplane 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. After I got here again to the U.S., I wished extra. These have 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 discovered concerning 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 purpose 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 along 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 way in which, 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 — really 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 usually offers with world leaders and international governments.

I used to be certainly one of few feminine brokers, however I didn’t thoughts. I may sit there and say, “Oh, they do not suppose I belong or look the half.” However my reward 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 cherished having us on, too, as a result of we offered an additional stage 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 might 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 cause I acquired assigned to Barbara — we have been shut in age, so we seemed extra like pals.

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 data we have been sharing. We made sound selections, 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 Drive One, that’s a complete different recreation. Technically, no matter airplane the president flies on turns into Air Drive One.

After we did fly business, 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 may relay messages sooner and radio for assist. In the event that they want further 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 state of affairs? Are they capable of 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 atmosphere. It is to not be destructive — it’s simply what we might name a situational report.

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

Bringing that power onto a flight is useful, too. I’ve discovered most individuals are form and can enable you to. This summer season, I traveled with my 2-year-old toddler. We acquired on the airplane and have been doing all the pieces 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 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 the earth, 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 just isn’t the one method. Touring is a good way to unite individuals.

Edited by Rachel Chang