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Post by jennifer on Dec 4, 2003 20:50:04 GMT -5
Hi everyone! How are you? Ok, I've got the travel gitters, I just got back, but I already want to start planning slowly my next trip even if it might only be in the next 2 years! Oh well, budget issues! So, I have two options and I was wondering what you think I should concentrate on!
Either I go to Europe for another 1 and a half - 2 months trip. I would probably go to the UK, Barcelona, Madrid, 1 or 2 cities in Portugal, do a lot of Italy and a little Greece and maybe if time makes it possible, go up through a little of Eastern Europe. What would be the best time of the year for such a trip, money wise and not crammed with tourists wise but you still get good weather!
My other option is going to Asia. I'm not sure on the safety part and wanted to hear from any of you who have been. I'm into Thailand and any other surrounding interesting cities. Does a kind of railpass exist? Is it really budget? Does anyone know cheaps flights to Asia out of Canada (montréal or toronto)?
Thanks everyone! xoxo Jen
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Post by Kim on Dec 5, 2003 11:24:34 GMT -5
Depends on what you are into. They are veeeery different.
Aisa is very cool - but very, very different. It can be a culture shock to some. I found the little I've seen in Asia to be exciting and the cost of living is very cheap. It is also crowded and hard to communicate.
Let's just say it is an adventure. If you find the hostels in Europe to be less than standard for you, then Asia will be a shock.
Also, and this is totally just me and probably not true for others, but I would feel a bit sketchy about travelling Asia alone. A small part due to safety, another small part due to health concerns and what I would do if the real possibility of getting really sick alone.
I have to say I never felt unsafe, but I'm thinking I would feel less secure had I not been with my 190 lb. boyfriend who towered above everyone! ;D
Asia is definately somewhere where you want to research the weather and time to go. You don't want to go in the rainy season, disease and that sort of thing can fester in that type of thing.
I totally don't want to discourage you from going cause I would love to go back to Thailand - I just don't know if I would do it on my own. Things are VERY different there, I can't stress that enough. A woman travelling alone, I'm just a little uncomfortable with that idea.
But hell, maybe that's just my old age setting in! ;D
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Post by jennifer on Dec 5, 2003 12:12:06 GMT -5
HI Kim Thanks! I must admit, I thought of that, I am a little unsure about that. I think I'll just save up my money, keep thinking of new places, asking questions once and a while, and when the time comes to buy a plane ticket, I'll see if I'm alone or not again! Then I'll choose the place! I may stick with the first idea, but then again, I don't really know what cities to see. I think i'll wait a few months and then really decide! xoox Jen
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Post by WillTravel on Dec 5, 2003 16:26:22 GMT -5
I've been told by at least one female traveler (albeit one who travels in a lot more comfort than most of us) that Vietnam at least is very safe. She even feels that Vietnam and Thailand are safer to visit than Europe. I think she hired a guide in Thailand to take her on a boat tour for a few dollars per day.
Somehow, I just can't buy the increased safety, although it may be true. The ability to communicate and read is really important to me, and I would just feel lost without being able to do that. "Feeling" safe is important too.
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Post by Kim on Dec 5, 2003 17:59:25 GMT -5
It could be safer, your friend might be right WillTravel, but like you said, it's all about perception and feeling safer. That's exactly what I was getting at. I loved it and would really enjoy going back, but not alone. Not that the people were anything but wondeful, the people in Thailand were incredibly friendly, but I would have been completely overwhelmed had I done it alone. Not only are you worrying about communicating which is not easy - you can't look up the words in a phrasebook as it's not the alphabet, you are worried about health concerns, not drinking the water, cultural faux pas etc. We take things very lightly in N. America that aren't taken lightly in Asia, and there is alot to know. For example, in a temple, not only do you not wear shoes, but it's very important that you never point your feet at any of the religious statues or images. I never felt unsafe, I want to make that clear and I LOVED the people, but whether this was cause I had my man with me or not, I'll never know. I really enjoyed it, but it was an adventure, that's for sure. I know many people would have hated it as the standards are lower and you really have to adapt. Budget is BUDGET, not like budget in Europe. What am I trying to say? I really don't know! Basically, if you think Europe is roughing it, Asia is not for you. If you are open to adventure and are OK with the idea that things will be really different - you will be the minority, there is no way of disguising you are a tourist (that was tough for me as I try to blend in), there is a good chance you will have some sort of stomach ailment (we lucked out), that things are very rough and very different, can be very crowded and people aren't down with personal space , and culturally different, you will be OK. I am having a hard time with what I'm writing cause I don't want to discourage you as I loved it, but not knowing you and your personality, it's hard to say whether you would love it or hate it, and it will be one or the other. For example, I can say with no doubt my sister and best friend would hate it and my mom would love it. It's just one of those things. Kim
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Olive
Junior Travel Member
Posts: 2
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Post by Olive on Dec 5, 2003 22:44:23 GMT -5
Hello Jennifer,
I am a Chinese & live in Hong Kong, Asia is not that unsafe, when i travel around Asia, I can see a lot of western travellers, most of the people in the main cites can speak english, it is not difficult especially in Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Nepal, India, Hong Kong...& basically I don't think language is a problem, like I don't know japanese, I go to Japan without any problem.
For Thailand, I have been to Bangkok & Koi Samui, I feel quite safe to walk in the night market even very late night, there are still a lot of people around.
Olive
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Post by jennifer on Dec 6, 2003 16:45:19 GMT -5
Thanks to the three of you! I really think it's a must. I sure will travel there, but I think I'll go with WillT on the "feeling" of being safe. I'm kind of a wuss for this stuff, the fact that it isnt the same standards, no problem, but the fact of being safe, I'm not good at that! I'll wait on a travel partner! Thanks! p.s. it's good to know that english is still common!
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