jess116

Hey all, I'm new... I'm Jess, from South Australia, and I have decided to backpack alone around the world (well, part of it!) and I'm pretty freaked out about it! Things are not going well for me here so it's time to get out and make some new memories and take this chance while I have it.
I'm really shy though! And the thought of backpacking alone and getting out of my comfort zone scares the hell out of me. But I really want to meet new people and maybe make some friends to meet up with along the way, so I'm here to try to not be shy! And to try to get prepared and get some tips for my big trip (which is probably gonna be next september or so) Nice to meet you all!

Jess
x

Elizabeth

hey welcome to travelpunk! once you get out on the road you wil meet so many new people you will forget what shy is! =]

where were you thinking of travelling to? alot of first timers do europe, and in september all the crowds will have died down and the weather will be nice!

jess116

Hi Lizz! I'm thinking of doing Europe, surprise surprise :P
But also read some good things about backpacking solo in places like Turkey and Belize.... Anywhere that is relatively safe, frequented by backpackers, and also cheap I'm interested in! ^_^
I'm interested in anywhere with ancient ruins too... maybe peru??
Do you have any recommendations? I'd love to hear any!

lauren313

Hi Jess, welcome aboard. Good luck with planning your trip, you'll get so much great info here, I'm sure of it!!

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DC_Jessica

Welcome - you're in the right place! Jerash in Jordan is pretty spectacular, and Petra. Obv Italy or Greece for ruins. Ha - stuff is pretty much ruined everywhere you can imagine going, so I'm sure you'll find no shortage.

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"I set out alone, finding no companion to cheer the way with friendly intercourse, and no party of travellers with whom to associate myself. Swayed by an overmastering impulse within me, and a long-cherished desire to visit those glorious sanctuaries, I resolved to quit all my friends and tear myself away from my home."
---Ibn Battuta, CE 1325

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jess116

Thanks guys!
Would love to go to Petra and see the Canyon of the Crescent Moon... bit of an Indiana Jones & Last Crusade fan! >_<

joe7f

Welcome Jess

September should be a good time to go to Europe. I was pretty shy too but backpacking tends to end that pretty quickly

--Joey

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marc873

Welcome Jess.

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omisan

Welcome aboard!

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BigE

Welcome!

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maracle

South America is definitely cheap if that's what you're after. You'd be a lot happier if you picked up some spanish either in advance or through a local spanish school once you're there though.

I think you could go just about anywhere, and I wouldn't worry about being shy...the hostel culture is based around meeting random people every day which makes it much easier.

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glitterhairdye

Hii!!! You'll get over shyness quick. I was one of those people that always went up to the people drinking alone in hostel bars and there are tons of me. So don't worry about it.

Welcome aboard!

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“Our battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalk again; we had longer ways to go. But no matter, the road is life.” – Jack Kerouac
"I set out alone, finding no companion to cheer the way with friendly intercourse, and no party of travellers with whom to associate myself. Swayed by an overmastering impulse within me, and a long-cherished desire to visit those glorious sanctuaries, I resolved to quit all my friends and tear myself away from my home."
---Ibn Battuta, CE 1325

DC_Jessica

There's an Indiana Jones snack shop at the entrance to the park! You'd love it. It's got enough kitsch that it doesn't let down your expectations, but then once you're inside the "canyon" you can ignore all of that and take in the magnificence.

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"I set out alone, finding no companion to cheer the way with friendly intercourse, and no party of travellers with whom to associate myself. Swayed by an overmastering impulse within me, and a long-cherished desire to visit those glorious sanctuaries, I resolved to quit all my friends and tear myself away from my home."
---Ibn Battuta, CE 1325

Latest travel crushes - Arizona, Morocco, The Baltic States, Tunisia, Portugal, Mexico

pinknic38

hello jess! welcome to the boards! I'm sure you will find answers to all your questions on here and I'm sure wherever you wind up going, there will be a TP or 2 (at least) in the area at some point.

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freespiritz

Welcome!

Think about South East Asia too...it's relatively close, cheap, backpacker-friendly and has things like jungle-swallowed Tomb Raider temples to wander through...

You'll have an amazing time regardless of where you end up though, and don't even worry about the shyness factor.

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jess116

Thanks so much everyone! I'm feeling more confident about it all already.
I'm gonna start reading up about all the places people have suggested ^_^

Sijuki

Welcome to the boards Jess! This is the place that will give you all the confidence you need to travel. Hope your trip goes well, and any questions, let us know.

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mish99

Welcome!!!!

noke_travel

welcome!

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LostFarmboy

Mexico and Central and South America are great places for ruins. There are ruins scattered all over these places, with some of the more spectacular being in Mexico, Guatemala, and of course Peru. Also, there are HEAPS of backpackers around these parts. Interestingly, I noticed a much higher percentage of solo travellers in Central and South America than in Europe, I don't quite know why that is.

Oh, and welcome to the boards

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