It’s great fun to explore new places, and it may be like an adventure, even when you know you’re not the first to have been there. But to make sure not to get lost or waste time going round in circles, the following tips may be helpful.

• Do the map reading if you’re being driven somewhere. It’ll be easier if you keep the map following the direction you’re traveling in. Keep looking ahead so that you can give the driver lots of warning before having to make a turn or you’ll have to move to the back seat.

• Get a group of friends together and go exploring. You’ll need a good map, a compass, a raincoat, a cell phone to call for help in case you get lost, and a bit of cash for emergencies. Tell someone where you’re going before you set out and let him know what time you expect to be back. The purpose of the activity is in not getting lost, not in seeing how fast you can go, so always stick together, waiting for slower friends to catch up.

• See if your school or a club organizes orienteering (越野识途比赛), in which you need a map and a compass to find your way. This can be done as a sport, with teams trying to find the way from A to B (and B to C, etc.) in the fastest time, or simply as a spare-time activity. It enables you to be familiar with the use of maps and compasses and gain some practical skills. In some way, it’s not only good fun, but also a great way to keep fit.

No matter which way you choose, it’s not only good fun, but a great way to keep fit.

   Peru is an unbelievable destination for tourists. For me, traveling there changed the definition of “vacation”. Women dressed in colorful, woven clothes wandered the street. The food, however, was something I couldn’t get over. It was a huge culture shock for me to dine on alpaca pizza and have guinea pigs as a dish.

We spent the majority of the trip in a unique mountain city called Cusco. The hotel in Cusco was a pretty little place. The bedroom had three twin beds. Another interesting thing our hotel offered was coca tea. The tea leaves are the same leaves used for cocaine.

I thought that New York City had the worst traffic on the Earth until I visited Cusco. There were taxis everywhere, and local drivers ignored red lights. We would be completely stuck in traffic, yet oncoming cars seemed to believe they could magically drive through the middle of our taxi.

During the trip, we joined in several bus tours. One of them included a visit to a marketplace filled with foods and handmade goods. It was an amazing experience because the market was not jam-packed with tourists like every other place. The majority of the shoppers were Peruvian residents. We weaved in and out of streets, gazing at the beautifully handcrafted（手工制作的）rugs and ponchos. I wish I could have bought everything.

Also on the trip was a tour of a genuine village. The villagers there showed us their lifestyle. One of the women showed the boring process of making different products. Their only income was from the goods they sold. Another trick they showed us was using a bug as a lip stain. They would take a bug, press it, and spread the red blood on their lips. I was shocked when they explained that to us. After the tour was over, we were allowed to view their products. I departed with a soft pair of gloves that not only had the four normal finger holes, but also a thumb hole.

Thanks for your letter. ______________________________________________________________________

Yours sincerely，

Li Hua

   An increasing number of old U.S. citizens are traveling abroad. The U.S. Department of State wants you to be prepared so that you can enjoy your trip. Please consider the following tips as you plan your travel.

Travel Documents.

【小题1】Some countries require that passports be valid for six months after your trip ends and some foreign countries require that U.S. travelers obtain a visa.

【小题2】

A secure way to maintain your emergency contact information is to enroll （登记）with our Smart Traveler Enrolment Program. Your information is stored securely and enables the American Embassy to contact you，your family，or your friends in an emergency according to your wishes.

Health Information.

Health care tops the list of concerns for many old U.S. citizens who are thinking about traveling abroad. Consult with your physician prior to your travel overseas to identify your health care needs at your destination. Research the environmental conditions at your overseas destination that may contribute to your specific health concerns. 【小题3】

Medical Insurance Beyond Medicare.

Medicare，the U.S. government health plan for people aged 65 years and older，does NOT cover health care overseas. 【小题4】 Many companies offer short-term health and emergency assistance policies to cover health care expenses incurred overseas，including emergency services such as medical evacuations（撤离）.

Smart Travel.

【小题5】Be aware that sudden changes in diet and climate can have serious health consequences for the unprepared traveler，no matter your age. At the same time，if you aren't sure about anything，turn to the Internet.