Passage 1 Consulates ( 领事馆 ) exist to help citizens abroad to help themselves. Every year millions of people go abroad for pleasure or profit. There are consular officers ready to do what they can to help if people get into difficulties , but for all sorts of reasons there are limits to what they can do. Most times things go well for travellers abroad but occasionally things go wrong. So, whether you are an experienced traveller or a first­timer, going by yourself, with the family or a group, there are things you should do before you go. Think about money and tickets well in advance. Take enough money including enough to pay your return fare , and hold on to it. Better still, buy return tickets in the first place. In an emergency a consul will contact your relatives or friends and ask them to help you with money or tickets. But there's no law that says a consul has to lend you money and if he eventually does (and it will have to be repaid) he will want to be satisfied first that you really do have no money and there is no one else you know who can help. It is also important to take out proper insurance for everything from car breakdowns to loss of life. A consul cannot pay your medical or any other bills , nor can he do the work of local travel representatives or motoring organizations. 1 . What is the author trying to do in the text?