Everyone has something I like to call clairvoyance which means a kind of instinct, which alerts of us of danger in the form of a gut feeling, or a sudden feeling of discomfort overcomes you, and you realize that you ought to leave the particular area that you are in at the moment or not get involved in a certain discussion or whatever, because it does not feel right to you. For example, you ask someone about a certain area of the town/city that you are visiting, and they tell you it is safe, but then you go there, and you feel like it is unsafe, this teaches you that you are the only person who you can trust the most, as no one knows you better than you. Also, even if you do happen to be carrying a guide book on your person, it may or may not give you a decent listing of the hostels, or for that matter, information of a precise hostel.
A backpack would be a more prudent buyer as opposed to a suitcase, as it can carry the same amount of stuff in it, and sometimes even more, plus it can carry on your back, which eliminates having to drag a suitcase around with you, which can end up being rather tedious and all out exhausting. Furthermore, you can take the backpack along with you to just about everywhere you could possibly go, also it leaves your hands free to carry your guidebook, or papers, and the most important of all, your food and drink. Common sense comes in to play here, especially at the airports, as you can move through the terminals with more precision and ease with a backpack resting on your back almost like it is not there, where as a suitcase can be a bit aggravating, and no need to worry about damage it (the backpack) or the airport's transport's system, as it is compact and light.
Moreover, another advantage of carrying a backpack rather than a suitcase, is that you make yourself a sitting duck or easy prey for an eager thief waiting for you to stop for a breather or to make a decision on where to go, then they react and before you can stop them, they are already long gone. However, if you feel the need to carry more things than what one backpack can accommodate, then carry an additional backpack or two rather than resorting to a standard suitcase.
You check in to the hostel, and immediately afterwards you should ask about a secure place to store your belongings, mainly those that have some value. Or you can request to leave them in the hostel's office, where it can be safe with the staff. Also, a staff member or the hostel owner/manager may advise you to use their storage area which is often locked and only by getting the key from the owner/manager or staff can the storage door be accessed.
Next, as far as cameras are concerned, keep them in a case; yet make sure that it is close to you and/or in your backpack. For if an eager thief may be lurking in the shadows who is biding his time for a person that may slip up, and take advantage of that person. Simply put, do not wear any type of jewelry or camera where it will be visible to all who are around you. By the way, this is a very key thing to remember, never ever take a photograph of someone us you are granted permission by them to do so.
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