Surveillance Detection Saved Us On Our Honeymoon

I was burning up with a 104-degree fever in the middle of the Ankara bus station.

Delirious. Barely making sense.

My wife, Mallory—then fiancée—was holding everything together, doing her best to get us to our next destination.

She sat me down with our bags and went to get food.

That’s when I noticed him.

No bags. Sitting directly across from me, about 15 feet away. Just watching.
When Mallory came back, we decided to move. We stood up—he stood up.

Odd.

We took a long, winding route through the station. Twisting through roped lines, multiple doors, making deliberate wrong turns.

He followed every step.

Uncomfortably close.

I tried to warn Mallory, but she chalked it up to my fever. Until I dropped the bags off at the undercarriage.

I turned.

He was right behind her—hand reaching for her purse.

I rushed back, locked eyes with him, and let out a string of expletives that needed no translation.

He froze. Busted. Then turned and walked off.

Three times, I spotted him.
Three times, he moved when we moved.
Three times, over time, distance, and direction—he confirmed himself.

🔹 BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front): Surveillance detection isn’t paranoia. It’s pattern recognition. And it’s a skill that fades if you don’t use it.

If you want to learn how to protect yourself and your family while traveling, reach out here.

I’m Aaron, founder of Jack of All Tradecraft—helping people travel safely and build peace of mind through tradecraft.