Week End Wrap: Taxi Safety, Tech Travel
Sunday April 16, 2006
The Week End Wrap is an editorial take on the week's student travel news and issues.
The news in indie travel this week hasn't received any US media attention to speak of, but you need to know: two Austrian backpackers went missing in Bolivia at the end of January after riding the bus from Copacabana to LaPaz, and their bodies were found April 3. Read on for the rest of the week's student travel news in the Week End Wrap.
Backpackers Murdered in Bolivia Travelers Katharina Koller and Peter Rabitsch, likely victims of a tourist / taxi scam that may involve criminals posing as police and tourists, apparently met with foul play after disappearing in South America January 24. Word is that Bolivian police have stepped up law enforcement presence in La Paz areas where tourists are often scammed; word also is that a Spanish backpacker may be missing in the same area, and several budget travelers have since reported experiencing fake police scams in La Paz's Cementeria district. You never know when one word to the wise might save another life. Travel is usually as safe as you make it... make it safe and spread the word when you hear it.
Student travelers are getting more wired all the time -- many with whom I rub elbows are carrying an iPod at the least and 21% even lug a laptop, according to a Hostelworld.com survey; the same survey says mp3 players are practically as common as ramen among backpackers these days. These findings mean you need to know where to find the wifi and where to get the best iPod travel downloads -- very cool iPod-compatible language books, a way to move maps to an iPod and more.
Along the tech lines, a picture gallery of London's internet kiosks is posted this week -- like any phone booth on the street, but step inside and turn into a superhero, if it means finding an address you need when you're lost. Spendy (about one pound, or $1.70, per 15 minutes), but handy. Hey -- when you want the goods, you want 'em.
Spring Break Travel
It ain't over 'til it's over, and plenty of schools start spring break this week. If you're lucky enough to be among the late breakers, you'll find hotel prices at hot holiday spots have taken a dive. And if you don't have plans, think about sleeping out under the stars on a camping trip, via car or self-propelled.
Student Travel blog headlines this week
Backpackers Murdered in Bolivia Travelers Katharina Koller and Peter Rabitsch, likely victims of a tourist / taxi scam that may involve criminals posing as police and tourists, apparently met with foul play after disappearing in South America January 24. Word is that Bolivian police have stepped up law enforcement presence in La Paz areas where tourists are often scammed; word also is that a Spanish backpacker may be missing in the same area, and several budget travelers have since reported experiencing fake police scams in La Paz's Cementeria district. You never know when one word to the wise might save another life. Travel is usually as safe as you make it... make it safe and spread the word when you hear it.
- How to take a taxi in another country
- Top 10 ways to stay safe in a taxi
- Top 10 ways to avoid being ripped off in a taxi
Student travelers are getting more wired all the time -- many with whom I rub elbows are carrying an iPod at the least and 21% even lug a laptop, according to a Hostelworld.com survey; the same survey says mp3 players are practically as common as ramen among backpackers these days. These findings mean you need to know where to find the wifi and where to get the best iPod travel downloads -- very cool iPod-compatible language books, a way to move maps to an iPod and more.
Along the tech lines, a picture gallery of London's internet kiosks is posted this week -- like any phone booth on the street, but step inside and turn into a superhero, if it means finding an address you need when you're lost. Spendy (about one pound, or $1.70, per 15 minutes), but handy. Hey -- when you want the goods, you want 'em.
Spring Break Travel
It ain't over 'til it's over, and plenty of schools start spring break this week. If you're lucky enough to be among the late breakers, you'll find hotel prices at hot holiday spots have taken a dive. And if you don't have plans, think about sleeping out under the stars on a camping trip, via car or self-propelled.
Student Travel blog headlines this week
- Traveler Scams Afoot in Bolivia
- European Hostels With Free Wifi
- Koh Phangan Full Moon Fun
- "Glimpse" Student Travel Photo Contest Opens
- Top 10 Ways to Stay Safe in a Taxi
- Purging Those Loose Pounds
- easyCruise Going Up the River
- Rail Europe: Germany Train Pass for World Cup
- Spring Break: Drive or Fly?
- iPods in Vending Machines
- Spring Break Redux
- Spring Break Camping
- Last Week End Wrap: India Next; Tube is Tops
Comments
In regards to your taxi safety article: you suggest that VW taxis in Mexico are the safest. Not true…the VW taxis in Mexico City are the WORST kind of taxis that you could take! In Mexico City, always use hotel taxis or taxis from the official taxi stands at airports and bus stations. If you must, use taxis from taxi stands on the street, but never hail random VW cabs, even though they all look the same.
We campaign to make Taxis safer in the UK please go on our site and read our safety advice.
www.hailsafer.co.uk