The apartment itself was excellent and suited me perfectly. As a solo female traveler, however, I found the neighborhood disconcerting. I took a Uber from the main train station, passed through really bleak areas, and was dropped off a block away (due to pedestrian-only walkways). It was getting dark and there were men shouting at each other near the front door. More men on motorbikes raced about. Needless to say I was completely spooked and I did not leave the apartment except to grab food at front door, delivered by men on motorbikes ironically, for my short 2 day stay. I left by Uber on a sunny morning taking a much more pleasant route back to the station (which began a mere 2 blocks to the south of the apartment). I saw a much more vibrant space, many places of interest, and dearly wished I had seen this view upon arrival vs departure, or had been somehow braver overall (I travel solo several times per year, usually with just a backpack for weeks at a time, for context). Communication with host was really, really excellent, by the way.
The apartment itself was excellent and suited me perfectly. As a solo female traveler, however, I found the neighborhood disconcerting. I took a Uber from the main train station, passed through really bleak areas, and was dropped off a block away (due to pedestrian-only walkways). It was getting dark and there were men shouting at each other near the front door. More men on motorbikes raced about. Needless to say I was completely spooked and I did not leave the apartment except to grab food at front door, delivered by men on motorbikes ironically, for my short 2 day stay. I left by Uber on a sunny morning taking a much more pleasant route back to the station (which began a mere 2 blocks to the south of the apartment). I saw a much more vibrant space, many places of interest, and dearly wished I had seen this view upon arrival vs departure, or had been somehow braver overall (I travel solo several times per year, usually with just a backpack for weeks at a time, for context). Communication with host was really, really excellent, by the way.
