Welcome to the Dr. Mary Travelbest Guide podcast for 5 Steps to Solo Travel.

The FAQ is: What is going on with the number of cars on the road these days? Is traffic increasing, and why?

Answer:

Americans are sitting in traffic longer than ever. Last year, commuters lost an average of 63 hours, or almost 8 workdays, stuck in traffic, according to a Texas A&M study reported by Kiplinger. It is a 16% increase in national congestion costs from 2099 to 2024. Truck congestion rose 19%. A shift in traffic patterns has contributed to overall increased traffic times. Delays are no longer just during weekday rush hours. Traffic congestion is spreading to midday, midweek, and even weekends, due in part to hybrid work schedules.

60-second confidence challenge

Your challenge today, Confidence Challenge, is to find your way through traffic congestion.

If you like today's Confidence Challenge, my book series delves into alternatives to traffic congestion and how to pick places to visit off-season or in shoulder season, while moving through the 5 steps to solo travel, from easy to more challenging, with foreign language communication tips.

You can find the series at the link in the description.

See Book A for addressing this concern about traffic and congestion while traveling.

Find it on the website at https://www.5stepstosolotravel.com/ or on Amazon—it's a several-part series.

Today's destination is Athens, Greece. Part 1 of 2

My missteps: Getting lost in Athens

The hostel manager pointed outside. "Don't go that way when you leave," and I did not ask. I did get lost a few times, though, finding my way back. I may have walked that way by accident.

I found the metro station, which served the modern, faster blue line. I changed lines at Monastiraki and arrived at Omonia Square, but I got a bit lost. The neighborhood was quite confusing and not very safe, with only small markets around. I felt scared at times. It was 9:15 PM and dark when I finally reached the hostel, but no one was at the reception. I bought some yogurt and a banana for my trip.

AI may have been used to select some of the suggestions for this episode.

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