h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Entry: Exploring A Strange City - A36680943
Author: Malabarista - U1528154

Due to Uni, I've been taking a lot of short trips to various cities lately, and thought I might write up some of the things I've learned in the process, in the spirit of "How to Be a Successful Tourist" (A619391)

I hope this can become collaborative, if anyone can think of things to add...



Will be adding links as and when I find them.

The title of this one drew me to it. I've just written quite a long comment which I then noticed you've already addressed though...

One point to add - you mention the uses of a pocket knife, as well as something to sharpen a pencil with. For the latter, a simple pencil sharpener is small, light, and does a perfect job (one of the metal ones is more durable and comfortable).

More importantly though, when you mention a knife being a useful thing to carry (they do have 1001 uses...) it might be worth pointing out that some countries and cities are *severely* uptight about this, and that even a small pocket knife might be enough to constitute an offence.

Good point.

But it would have to be a pencil sharpener with something to catch the shavings, we can't go *littering*!

What did you want to post?

Good entry, very useful

Maps or local guide books are sometimes a necessity but can make you look like the obvious tourist if you wave them about too much!

Speaking from a UK perspective, Information centres or kiosks are handy places for these and getting other visitor/ travel information. Often there will be a "you are here" type city plan in fairly central public place.

is good advice but what to do or who to turn to if you do suddenly find yourself lost in a dodgy looking area at dusk?

Found a few spelling things if thats ok...

'groceries' in the What to Bring
'buses' in the 2nd bottom line of Public transportation, and 'metre' = meter.
'reproduction' in Shopping

Thanks, loons. Changed those spelling errors and then actually ran it through a spellchecker, a novel approach, I know

Good point about getting lost somewhere shady at dusk - any ideas?

Added a few more points, including the information kiosk, and a footnote about the risks of carrying a knife.

I was hoping to suggest a thing or two, having seen a few places in my time. But nothing comes to mind at all. You have quite a good piece there.

Can't think of anything sensible on the getting lost front currently

The extortionate prices for food and drink in tourist areas makes me
Eating out in a park or other open space is a good way to away from the hustle and bustle of the streets too

Hmmm. Maybe it's too long?

I'm currently working on the sister article, "Finding Your Way Back To Civilization" - we have quite a few articles on outdoor survival and orienteering, but none really that combine the two to help you get back out of the wilderness ASAP So watch for that one coming up... (Incidentally, is there a better place to look for contributions than when it's already in PR? The EGWW seems to be pretty much dead. And sorry for topic drift.)

Some put their Entries into their Journals and get their friends to comment, before putting them into PR

Thanks, lil. I might try that, if only to get more people going to PR

Mmmm, just put it in - I'll simply point potentially helpful people to PR.

Any more comments on this one? Anyone have good links?

There is an enormous amount of info here that might suggest a few more things for you to think over Malabrista, for both your new entries.

http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/tips/index.html

Thanks It definitely is an enormous amount so I think I'll leave the perusal of those bits that aren't in Arabic for tomorrow - the strange squiggly writing ones I'll simply ignore

But especially the "what to do if someone is missing" section might come in handy, for the other entry...

Only thing I really noticed Mal was about potable water.

Most water in British public conveniences is NOT drinking water. Even in offices and pubs, it is not drinking water.

In many European cities old horse troughs can still be found with a running supply - once again, these are not drinking water. In fact the only countries I can remember seeing public drinking fountains in recent time, have been Germany and America.

I'd take a bottle - and if you drink it all - buy another - Even in rip off Britain you shouldn't pay more than £1.50 for 500ml of water.

*Canada, all towns and cities have public drinking founts as well, just as info *

McKay, I'm not sure what you mean. As far as I know, within the EU any water that comes out of a tap must be potable - that is, of drinking water quality, even if it doesn't taste very nice sometimes. Same goes for the US. Exceptions have to be clearly marked, as you'll find most horse troughs are We flush our toilets with drinking water. Sad, but true.

Most public toilets in the UK have signs over the taps saying not drinking water.

Whilst the water is of drinking quality when it leaves the mains - it's what happens next.

Usually in large buildings it's stored in a tank within the building, which is at such a temperature that bacteria can breed - it may also be treated for Legionaires if it goes into a heating system.

In public conveiences they fill the cisterns from a central supply, and the tapwater comes off this too - and there is nothing to stop things going backwards up this supply.

Ok, then it's a *very* different system from over here, apparently I'll add a note to the effect that you shouldn't if there's any sign saying not to, or you're in a country where you shouldn't be drinking tap water at all.

Potential unsuitability of water noted.