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Old 09-08-2003, 12:03 AM   #1
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Hi Everyone! This place seems great! I've been sneaking around the TP boards for a couple days now and I decided to come out from hiding! ^_^

Anyways, Just a quick intro...

Im 18 y/o ...Ive never been out of the US...Heck, I havnt been off the east coast and Im dying to see the world. I remember being 11 y/o watching the travel channel and deciding that when i was old enough, I would see the world for myself instead of through the tv. And Ive always been drawn to foriegners, I have about 3 american friends and the rest came here from different countries (russia, bulgaria, turkey, Italy, South Africa, Scotland, Columbia, Indonesia, England, my 2 best friends are from the philippines +more) So, I've cancelled the college experience to work as much as possible and save as much as possible....I dont plan on leaving for 2-3 years...by then i hope to have enough money to travel till my hearts content. And so, Im doing my homework early (very early) :D And this looks like a good reference place, hehe.

Here are a couple of my questions and ideas and if you can give any input ... it would be grrreat!

Since Im a girl..and probably will be traveling solo...i was thinking of taking a self-defense class. I would probably feel more secure going solo if i knew how to defend myself against being mugged or something worse.

Taking a couple language classes at a community college

Ive heard that Europeans dont like Americans...pfft...and i was wondering if this is really true and are europeans really as rude to americans as i hear they are? Im not overly concerned with it, just curious. ( advice from my dad ---> "Talk with an English accent...they'll be nicer to you." lol thanx dad)

An idea my mother presented to me.... get penpals from different countries to potentially have a place to stay..and to have someone to show me around places that most tourists would miss.

Learn about the culture and different customs of where I plan to visit

thats all i can think of right now. thanx for reading! laterzzz
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Old 09-08-2003, 10:40 AM   #2
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Hey Beatnik! Welcome to the boards!

You´ll have no problem getting into the mix as you´re traveling, as most of your friends are of different nationalities and ethnicities. I´m a filipino myself, so theres another asian to throw into the mix :P
I think by making the choice that you have, you'll gain wisdom beyond your years. Traveling certainly opens you up in many ways.
It´s a great idea to learn as much as you can, in terms of languages. Interesting of your dad to give you that advice, as he may be right. I didn´t encounter any anti-american hostility, personally, but as I lived in Spain for the last year, I can tell you that 99% of that country(as well as most of europe) was against the war. That seemed to trickle down to anti-US and or anti-american sometimes. Someday, I´ll upload some videos of big rallies in Spain where many people carried sign and banners that weren´t favorable to the USA. Having said that, I know that the sentiments in general weren´t the same for the brit´s. They´re good neighbors.

They think of us as obnoxious and loud. I heard a saying that Europeans believe that Americans speak only two languages- English and LOUDER! Although, I must say that the Spanish should share that prize label too. Sit in any restaurant in France and the loudest table will probably be American tourist with baseball hats and neon shorts.

Here's a post about safety in the General Travel Forum- Safety.

Teke your moms advice and start building rapport with people from all over the world. Could save you a ton in terms of accommodations and you´ll learn a lot more about their countries before and after you get there. You´ll have a richer experience that the average tourist.

Hope you choose to hang around the boards as many of the members are seasoned travelers and have tons of great tips to help you out B)
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Old 09-11-2003, 04:11 AM   #3
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Hey BeatNik,

I would have to say yes to your self defence classes, not just because your going over seas, but because its good for your personal safety at home and abroad.

As for Peps not liking Americans, I did not find that in my travels, Everyone seemed just as friendly to me as they were to peps from the U.S.

It is possible that you could be dragged into a debate over U.S. foreign policy, I would avoid that if you could, any talk of Poltics, Religion,War,Terrorism, Goverment...you know the current hot button issues would prob be in your best interest...its kinda like someone from France sitting in a hotel bar in NYC and bringing up these topics...prob not a good idea. Its not that its wrong to discuss these things, BUT these are the type of conversations that can quickly turn VERY heated, and you or somebody else may take offence to what is being said. So best to avoid it all togeather I think.

You are who you are and you should be proud! Do not let peps get ya down!!! I still love my American Brotha's and Sista's!!!! B)

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Old 09-13-2003, 05:19 AM   #4
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Hey how u doing, another newbie just like mysef. Welcome to the board and happy travels!
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Old 09-14-2003, 02:44 PM   #5
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Welcome ....good idea by the way Beatnik I never would of thought of self defense class that's something smart to check out.

Patti
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Old 10-18-2003, 03:56 AM   #6
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Hey, Moc, you're a practicioner of Kung Fu.

Do you feel that what you have learned has built your confidence as a backpacker in a foreign country and will be able to help you defend yourself from being mugged or attacked?

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Old 10-18-2003, 10:18 AM   #7
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Hi Beatnik ! You have very good ideas in order to prepare for your dream.

I did find penpals during my preparation for my soon to come one-year trip in Eurasia. In my presentation message, I wrote I simply was looking for hints and advice on countries of the world. It turned out I made good friends AND many of them are inviting me to stay at their place or taking care of part of my stay in their countries or have found me a place to do volunteer work in an NG organisation !

I would then sure highly recommend it to you !!! There are plenty of internet sites for penpals. Maybe try to find a more "serious" one, to avoid receiving too many "interested" men... I had all kind of answers... for example, many are looking for wives to emigrate.

Good luck and have fun exchanging with people around the world !
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