This is the first time I'll be leaving the country. Well, I went to Canada once, but I live in the US, so it almost doesn't count. Was nice though. Anyway, I'm a little scared to travel alone, but I'm going to. My friends can't go. Any advice out there that anyone could give me? It would be great!

Advice? hmm... What I can tell you is that you are about to leave your comfort zone. Life will no longer be scripted, life will no longer be predictable. That can be a scary thought, because that is in fact how most people live. That is also the reason why many people choose to live in poor circumstances and conditions, simply because they know what to expect, they have "control." The time you spend out of that box is always filled with uncertainty and doubt. You have to understand that those feelings are natural, and the most powerful time of change, growth, and influence in your life will happen in that period. My advice would be to be poised and embrace those feelings as best as you can. I think its great that you're taking this step forward in your travels, but more importantly, in your life.

But enough of the jibberish. You'll make friends, you'll have a ton of fun. Just be open and take advantage of the moment.

Nothing like the antisipation of your first trip over seas...it can make you feel great up to the few days before you leave, then fear sets in...you start to secoond guess the idea of travel on your own....my biggest advise is to stay calm. take a breath and look at the big picture, you about to embark on a life changing experience, where your knowledge of other countries, cultures, cullinary delights, traditions, and way of life will grow 10 fold.

To be nervous if normal, I had it, I bet TP was, and I would put money on most of the people here being nervous for their first trip over seas. So don't think your odd or anything.

As for things to make your first trip a little more comfortable...one word...
PREPARE

Research the countries you will be going to, look at maps of landmarks and things you would like to see,

Pre-book your hostels so you should never go a night without a bed to sleep in ( I am off to Europe in 2 days and I booked mine right through this site TravelPunk.com\ )

Come here to post and get advise from people because let me tell ya, the people on this site wanna help you get through this.

Make a list of the things your going to need and check off the item as you purchase it (do not over pack).

Start walking like Glacier said in another post, prep your body for the abuse it will take from carry a pack, all that walking, and prob lack of nutritioin.

Those are just some iteas, and like I said, when in doubt, come here!!!

Welcome to the boards!!!!!! B)

Citruskiss I would love to give you lots of advice but I pretty much have the same questions....next year will be my first solo traveling adventure....

welcome to the boards!

Patti
aim: GotsDaRemedy

Expect the unexpected. Things will not always go as planned. You will miss a bus or rail. You will have to find another vacant hostel. You'll lose something, and find something. But, it's all good. FLOW WITH IT. The more you do, the better it'll be. Life is full of surprises. But experience and being prepared can minimize the truly bad ones.

In Chinese, the word for crisis, "weiji," contains the character "wei" which means danger, and the character "ji," which means opportunity, or crucial point. A crisis presents a moment of opportunity as well as great danger.

Have fun! :P

Well said, Silus ;) Interesting link, Voyd ^_^

Citrus and BBMuffin, there´s nothing more that I can add that the others before me had already mentioned. You will be nervous, but that´s part of the fun. Going head first into the unexpected. Leave your day planner at home. Just being open, alert, and prepared for anything and everything is all that you can really do. Talk to lots of foreigners, because it´s really the people that you meet that´ll make your trip memorable. Have a good time and just............release B)

You´re right , CD, I was too damn nervous before I left. About four weeks before I left, I was trying to rally together some friends to travel with me, but as usual their comfort zone wouldn´t let them <_< Then, a friend told me to just go alone because you´ll meet more people there when you travel alone and you can travel on your own terms and not have to please your companions by always having to do what they want to do. I took that advice and ran with it. Now, I´m all about traveling alone, but I´m sure someday that´ll change.

two days after my 18th I decided it was time to buy my own alcohol so I choked up 500 bucks and bought a passport and a plane ticket to London, I'll have to admit that the reason was not to see Europe but to walk into a bar and buy anything I so desired. I flew out of Frisco and it was 12 hours of hell because I was a rookie and hadnt learned that of you watch the little plane on your screen advance across the continent that 12 hours would seem like an eternity (United Airlines). Anyways, 15 minutes out of Heathrow the sun was peircing through the cabins where people that couldnt sleep still had the window open and I could see it...this is where my travel addiction kicked in! I could see Britain! It was new, different, a mystery, I hadnt given it much thought until then, and the butterflies set in like never before, it had to have been one of the most exilerating moments of my life! I was now hooked on a drug with no hangover. I didnt even drink the first day (like I planned), instead, I just walked around central London with my eyes wide open and in complete awe of what I was seeing and feeling! So I guess I have no point to my story but I have to warn you that travel will become and addiction and this will only be the beginning, its a beautiful thing, just relax and flow with it, the journey is unforgettable! :)

Ahhhh yesss....I know the feeling you speak of, TUI! I felt the same way on my first day in Europe. Paris to be exact. Everything was so old(architecture, vespa´s, no starbucks :D , etc...) and yet it was all new to me. Sure, there´s the travel channel, movies, and tv shows, where you´re exposed to Europe and other countries all the time, but you´ll never get that special "AWE :rolleyes: " feeling until yo' foot touches the ground ;) .

Also, in the states, I´m a bigger sucker for hanging out at coffee shops with cool people, just passing time, so it is always special to me to just hang out in a cafe somewhere in Europe where your European espresso comes in a tiny white porcelain cup and not a paper or styrofoam cup. Ahhh Europe.....un cafe con leche, por favor B)

awwwwwwww shucks tui that was beautiful!


(seriously!)

^_^

Dio Im not sure if I should blush or go hide in a corner! Ah fu#k it, I'll just have a drink to that! :D

SILUS>>>>>>>>>

wowww, well said MAN! it really rocks my soul as well as increased my adrenaline to have the greatest adventure of my life.

citruskiss -

you've gotten a TON of great advice!! in addition, i recommend doing a lot of research - read books, scan the internet. it makes you feel more familiar. it's a good feeling when you are thousands of miles away and you can say "wow, i read about this place!"

also, stay in hostels - great way to meet people!

cg

Travel... what a delightful addiction it is...

citruskiss -

check out the "women traveling solo" topic under "traveling alone". there's a link to a great website and i added a post about a great book.

cg