You never forget the first time...

[huahuafish]

hey all, I'm recent grad new to backpacking and this board, just thought I should say hi.

I will be leaving from Seattle to Shanghai on August 29th on my tourist (L) visa, doing a tour of China. From then on it's to Korea --> Japan --> Taiwan. I'm originally from Taiwan so it will be refreshing to go back for the first time since I left 12 years ago.

If I have half the money I left Seattle with ($12,000) when I'm done with Taiwan...I'm also thinking of doing Europe.

I have a lot of questions but it seems most of them can be answered by searching this board...however I'll ask them anyways just in case:

- I was told by my travel agency that I will not be able to enter China with a one-way ticket...so I bought a round-trip...will buying one-way airfare be a problem entering with any of the countries I listed above?

- I bought a 2450 cu i. backpack, the Terra 40, from north face...did I make a mistake? Should I buy one that's at least 3400 cu i? http://www.thenorthface.com/opencms/opencm...&model=APH8

- will I be ok by myself?

- is it wise to go to that many countries all at once for the first time? Europe?

....

It's gonna be my first time traveling all by myself, so I'm excited and a lil scared at the same time...I quit my full-time job, put all my money in, and run off to chase a dream...but wut if it's not as good as I thought it was gonna be, or wut if i get robbed, or wut if I get sick, or get lost, or.....

wut if I had a great time?

I can't wait...

[brandibell]

I think you'll be okay by yourself. I've lived in Japan for seven years and never once felt unsafe, even at a young age. I never felt unsafe when I was in China either, and my group of 20 high schoolers would've been a prime target for pickpocketers. We never had any problems at all.

[foofiter]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(huahuafish @ Aug 6 2006, 05:00 AM) [snapback]133829[/snapback]</div>

It's gonna be my first time traveling all by myself, so I'm excited and a lil scared at the same time...I quit my full-time job, put all my money in, and run off to chase a dream...but wut if it's not as good as I thought it was gonna be, or wut if i get robbed, or wut if I get sick, or get lost, or.....

wut if I had a great time?

I can't wait...
[/b]

I am in a similar situation right now. It is not my first time alone but I got laid off, put all my money in and left to do a round-the-world trip. I am in Rio de Janeiro right now and next stop Europe, then Cairo, then Dubai, then Bangkok, Sydney, Auckland, Fiji, USA. I am from Atlanta. You will have a great time. The fear is the hardest part but it goes away as soon as you get there and get used to it. I have only spent 3 months of this year actually in the USA and don't plan to be back until April of next year. Maybe longer with some job leads I have. My dream is to see the world and I am determined to do it.

If you use common sense you can reduce the likelyhood of getting robbed, i.e: only carry money for the day, leave your passport and credit cards locked up in the hostel locker unless you absolutely need them, backup your pictures often, put your camera in your pocket at all times (no cases!), put your smallest money note on the outside of the roll (since you wont carry a wallet), use a money belt, always look confident while walking even if you are not... you get the idea

Get sick: Take a good mix of medicines in your first aid kit to take care of simple things like stomach and cold and get travel insurance for everything else. There are good doctors everywhere.

Get lost: Take a compass. It is useful to orient yourself with a map and also for finding your way. If you get lost you will eventually find someone that can help. Taxis work too. You always have options...

Hope this helps1

Foo

[freespiritz]

So I don't have the sage advice of the super-experienced travelbugs to offer, but I will say welcome to the boards!

And I'm getting into Shanghai on the 29th of this month (leaving Portland ME on the 28th), so maybe we'll walk into each other somewhere in China.

Have fun traveling - just go for it, stay flexible and have fun!

[LiveFreeorDie]

Welcome to Tpunk!! Its natural to have some concerns, but you will do great. You will learn to overcome obstacles on your own and realize you can handle anything that comes your way. Sounds like a great trip!!

[travelchick75]

Yes Welcome!!! Your trip sounds amazing you'll have an AWESOME time no worries

[huahuafish]

thank you all for your tips and encouragments, hopefully I'll have time on the road to keep checking back on this board and keep you guys posted