Instruction: answer questions 26 to 36 based on the following text. The highlights throughout the text are cited in the questions.
Try these expert tips for a safer solo trip
- Traveling alone may seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Before you go, research
- travel warnings or advisories from government websites or destination-specific forums for
- travelers’ advice. Dig deeper if there is a warning or advisory. “Some countries like Mexico get
- a bad rap, but not all parts are dangerous,” says Janice Waugh, founder of the website Solo
- Traveler. Plan arrivals for the daytime, so you don’t land in a new city when you’re sleepy.
- Arrange your first two days’ accommodations, transportation, and tours, because this alleviates
- stress.
- Be “street smart:” Only wear one earbud in order to stay aware of your surroundings — and
- never sacrifice safety to save a buck. When going for a walk, ask for route advice: “Your host or
- a local shop owner will know if there’s a neighborhood to avoid,” Waugh says. For buses and
- trains, stick to daytime hours, and sit near the driver. If you take a cab, call a company directly
- so you don’t take a pirate one on the streets. Before getting in an app driver’s car, confirm the
- license plate and ask the driver to state your name. Invest in a smartphone case with a wrist
- strap, and also take note of your phone’s IMEI number — this helps police trace the phone if
- stolen. Use a VPN (virtual private network) for protecting sensitive info while online banking.
- Don’t walk around with your passport; carry a copy instead. Don’t carry much cash, and stick
- to small bills divided among your wallet, backpack, and pocket. Bring just one credit and one
- debit card, and make sure you snap a photo of each and store them in your email.
- For safe travels, keeping in touch is priority number one. Oneika Raymond, founder of
- Oneika the Traveller, brings a phone not tied to a service and buys a local SIM card. Also
- download the TripWhistle Global SOS app, which calls the equivalent of 911 wherever you are
- in an emergency. Raymond also creates a shareable document with her itinerary and gives loved
- ones access to the file. At the bar, chat up with the bartender — it helps to let him or her know
- you’re alone if you need help — and obviously, refrain from drinking too much. Party rules also
- apply: Never leave your drinks unattended or accept them from strangers. If you connect with
- someone, make plans for the next day in public rather than leaving with them. And always have
- a game plan for getting home.
- When looking for an Airbnb accommodation, filter by Superhosts and scan the reviews. Enter
- keywords like “neighborhood” or “safe” into the reviews search field of a listing to read guests’
- comments about the area and property. Complete your Airbnb profile and include emergency
- contact info. Check with your Host often, ask plenty of questions prior to booking, and stay in
- touch within the app so there’s a trail. If issues arise, alert Airbnb in the app ASAP.
- Our travelers’ best advice:
- - “Madrid, Barcelona, and Seville are great for first-time solo travelers because the people
- there are outgoing, and they’re well-traveled places.” (Groffman)
- - “If lost, don’t show ignorance, fear, or vulnerability. Instead, approach someone right away
- who looks knowledgeable and confidently ask where you need to go.” (Raymond)
- - “If you need to enlist the help of strangers, your first choice should be a family, followed
- by a couple, a woman, and last, a man.” (Waugh)
(Available at: https://news.airbnb.com/try-these-expert-tips-for-a-safer-solo-trip/ – text especially adapted for this text).