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The
Journeywoman Accommodation Bible...
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Evelyn Hannon
Especially if you
are a woman, the accommodation you choose can make or break your
holiday. Luxury hotels and resorts are a treat when you're looking
for a quick, relaxing getaway from your routine. However, if you're
on the road for any length of time you'll want your dollars to take
you as far as possible. You'll also want to keep yourself as safe
as possible. Here are Journeywoman's tips for taking care of yourself
taken straight from her Accommodation Bible.
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Small hotels,
bed and breakfasts as well as homestay exchange networks make
ideal accommodation choices. Generally, their size allows
for caring, personal attention and they are very often run
by females. |
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Surf the
net to find the safest, woman-friendly accommodation to suit
your needs. Check out websites like:
(a) Women Welcome
Women which aims to foster international friendship by enabling
women of different countries to visit each other. Members
are of all ages and backgrounds and come from many parts of
the world. Any woman may become a member, regardless of nationality,
religion, home circumstances, etc. Visit http://www.womenwelcomewomen.org.uk.
(b) Join SERVAS
an international network of hosts and travelers building peace
by providing opportunities for personal contact between people
of diverse cultures and backgrounds.
(c) University
dorms in off-season are another good choice. This article
will give you a head start in your research. Rates listed
were current when we posted the article but it pays to recheck
for any changes.
(d) Read the
listing in the Journeywoman.com classifieds.
(e) Every issue
of the Journeywoman
newsletter (FREE to every woman who requests it) contains
several accommodations recommended by our JW Network of over
67,000 women travellers in over 128 countries.
(f) Finally,
log on to http://www.HERmail.net
and find a female mentor in the city or country you plan to
visit. She'll probably have loads of good hotel, hostel, and
B&B tips for you. P.S.
Always use common sense when connecting with others on the
Internet. Cyberspace is imperfect; treat it accordingly, stay
safe and have loads of fun! |
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Avoid extra
stress. If you don't have advance reservations, travel early
in the day. This allows time at your destination to find a
place you like before it gets dark. |
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Whether
at a hotel, hostel or B&B, always ask to see the room before
you take it. Is it clean enough? Does the door lock properly?
Does it feel safe? |
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Trust your
intuition. Don't stay anywhere unless you're feeling entirely
comfortable both with the accommodation and its location.
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Never accept
a room if the check-in clerk calls either your name or room
number out loud. Others within hearing distance may try to
call you or gain access to your room with this information.
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Avoid the
ground floor or any other location with easy outdoor access
to your room (i.e. a balcony or fire escape). |
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Book a room
close to the elevator and away from exits. Stairwells allow
trouble-makers to hide and to come and go undetected. |
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Never open
your door to anyone without taking the necessary precautions.
Even if your caller claims to be part of the staff, check
with the front desk to verify the need to gain entry. |
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Consider
investing in a small, lightweight portable smoke detector
as well as a deadbolt that installs easily on any inward opening
door. These items are perfect if you plan to be sleeping in
very simple accommodations. Ask about them at your favorite
travel shops. |
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A private
bathroom in my dorm...
One summer I studied
French at the Sorbonne and stayed at a university dorm in Paris.
Though I was in my Fifties then, dorm living suited me perfectly
especially since some of my classmates lived there as well. The
only thing I could never get used to was the common washrooms
with other students lining up to use the facilities in the early
morning. I devised a plan. I made a sign that said, 'Toilet En
Panne' which was the closest I could come to 'Toilet Out of Order'
in French. I found a small out of the way bathroom on the top
floor that most people didn't bother climbing up to and each morning
I went up there, put my 'out of order' sign on the door and prepared
for class without anybody bothering me. I must admit ... I lived
in fear of the maintenance man coming in to check but he never
did. Shhhh ... don't tell anybody my secret.
(Evelyn Hannon, Journeywoman)
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