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Post by me on Feb 10, 2006 0:26:18 GMT -5
I got food poisoning when I was in Spain... but it was worth it.  actually, i did too. it was pretty bad. the folks at Barcelona train station even called an ambulance which took me to hospital. it made my stay in Barcelona less than wonderful, but it's a great city. i'd like to go back some day. perhaps i will, eventually. |
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Post by WillTravel on Feb 10, 2006 2:02:35 GMT -5
What did you folks eat that gave you food poisoning?
This summer, I had a lamb kebab in London that kept me up for much of the night. I'm lucky I didn't suffer any worse than that. I had a quiet day but otherwise felt fine, thankfully. And I have to say, I've certainly read enough warnings against cheap kebabs to know better.
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patrickt
Senior Travel Member
Near? Faaaaaar!!!!
Posts: 80
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Post by patrickt on Feb 10, 2006 2:38:57 GMT -5
Morgan.. I'm glad to see that you're looking at fulfilling one of your dreams... so, congrats!!
I too, am planning a trip... blasting off in less than a month... I'm a 26 year old male, with an athletic build... but don't think I'm any less timid than you...
But at the same time, I've worked in the theme park business for nearly 6 years now... a business that caters to tourists... (either foreign, or domestic)... and I've YET to see any sort of violent (mugging\robbing) crime go down... on either a male or a female...
Theft?? Yes... I've seen it... but only because the guest dropped his\her wallet.. or left his\her wallet on a table by accident, etc...
Most items were returned to their rightful owner, but in Europe, there's no "Guest Relations" booth...
Like everyone has said, be mindful of your surroundings... take all the precautions recommended in the guidebooks (no matter how dorky they may seem) and you should be fine...
Thieves and pickpockets look for signs of weakness... just like lions and tigers in an African Savannah look for the slow and injured animals to attack... Be purposeful with your walk, stay in lit areas, and have no qualms about the look on your face that says "I am on my way somewhere... if you choose to bother me, I'll make you wish you were never born."... Think G.I. Jane... on steriods...
A simple look can deter most troublemakers.
Though I rarely condone violence to a man's... um... private parts... a swift kick or punch to the groin is enough to being any man to his knees... I was injured during baseball... and.. well... damn, it hurts.
Then, there's pepper spray... a would-be attacker can't get ya if he can't see.
Again, you won't need to even PONDER any of this if you're smart with what you do, and where you go. If you decide to go pub crawling, invite some of your hostel friends to go... safety in numbers...
Another trick: If you are really nervous... bring your cell phone... who cares if it doesn't work??
On your way to your hostel at night... have a wonderful conversation... "Oh yeah, the pub was great... I'm walking back to my hostel on such-n-such street next to the statue of the guy on the horse... it's really nice out here... I met this wonderful guy... he's a wrestler... and... oh look... there's my hostel... I've gotta go.. love ya.. buh-bye"... Doing this (if you're walking alone) establishes a pseudo-contact with the outside world... anyone thinking of approaching you would be turned off, as you had just given your exact location... though it's not fool-proof... it's a definite deterrant...
Just, basically, use common sense... don't be any less careful as you would at home...
You don't need to be worried... you'll be fine. Follow your instincts... trust who you trust... don't trust who you don't...
I hope you have the adventure of a lifetime... have a blessed journey.
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morgan23
Senior Travel Member
"Feel the rain on your skin, no one else can feel it for you."
Posts: 55
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Post by morgan23 on Feb 10, 2006 11:50:53 GMT -5
That's a good idea about the cell phone...even if I'm not really talking to someone. In my guidebook, (Rick Steves) it even suggests wearing a real or fake wedding ring and having pictures of a real or fake husband. I was considering that. Not a real one though, just a nice fake one.
I wasn't planning on partying every night or drinking more than maybe a glass of something (I won't even get tipsy on that). Bars or pubs...probably not. A club...maybe.
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Post by WillTravel on Feb 10, 2006 14:03:48 GMT -5
I wouldn't bother with the wedding ring and fake husband. For one thing, once you get into that level of disclosure (with showing pictures and all), you've already lost, in a way, because there's no reason to be giving that out to a harasser. Second, it would be stressful and annoying to have to be lying, at least I would find it that way. Third, if someone is harassing you, he's not going to really care about a non-present husband.
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Post by me on Feb 10, 2006 18:38:43 GMT -5
I wouldn't bother with the wedding ring and fake husband. For one thing, once you get into that level of disclosure don't know. the ring is an outwardly visible indicator. that might deter some. in Florence, i invited a fellow hosteler to dinner, she accepted. i got myself cleaned up & wore the nicest clothes with me. over dinner she mentioned her husband  when i expressed puzzlement at the lack of a ring, she said "oh, we didn't exchange rings." but, i agree. a pic of a fake husband is going overboard. |
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Post by me on Feb 10, 2006 18:44:38 GMT -5
What did you folks eat that gave you food poisoning? i think it was a fish dish that i ate in Madrid. [i'd flown to Lisbon, took an overnight train to Madrid, spent the day in Madrid, and took an overnight train to Barcelona. the plan included going back to Madrid & Lisbon later in the trip.] |
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Post by Eagle on Feb 10, 2006 19:06:14 GMT -5
IMO it's not worth the trouble to pack along a Cell Phone unless it's actually functional. If the "fake converstation" doesn't work and you are accosted, you still don't have the ability to summon help. Of course if you have a GSM Phone with the necessary frequency bands, the situation is different. There's also the risk that the Phone could be stolen; the thief probably wouldn't realize until later that it wouldn't operate in Europe.
I don't see the benefit in packing along useless and non-functioning kit, just on the premise that you might have to "fool someone" at some point during your trip. A fake wedding ring might have some benefit, but probably not a good idea to carry the charade too far. If someone approaches you in spite of the ring, it's not likely that pictures and a fake story are going to deter them (after all, you're travelling without your "husband").
Just a few thoughts on the subject......
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Post by me on Feb 10, 2006 19:24:58 GMT -5
Theft?? Yes... I've seen it... but only because the guest dropped his\her wallet.. or left his\her wallet on a table by accident, etc... on that same trip, in `99, my pocket was picked in Madrid. a gypsy woman got me after i came out of the ATM. i raised my voice & did my best Clint Eastwood "Give me my *money!*" the small wad of pesetas was quickly returned - realizing it as it happened was key to correcting it. and i'm a more smallish guy. only about 5'8", not exactly buff. (i'm no Doug!) |
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ashleyg
Full Travel Member
Posts: 37
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Post by ashleyg on Feb 10, 2006 20:05:00 GMT -5
I honestly think it's an attitude thing.
I've travelled by myself a bit, and have never had a problem. I'm a small blonde (currently 30, but have travelled since I was 19) and people (my family!) worry about me. But I present myself with a 'don't mess with me attitude'. Where a lot of my friends have gotten into trouble, both home and abroad, I've never been hassled seriously. Looking someone in the eye and staring them down usually works. Of course, I've also taken self defense courses, so I do have the confidence that comes from being able to back it up. But really, it's using common sense and presenting yourself confidently that counts!
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Post by Eagle on Feb 10, 2006 20:14:00 GMT -5
David,
LOL!
As mentioned in previous posts (in somewhat different wording), it's important to present a confident demeanor, as most petty thieves are very adept at recognizing weakess or uncertainty in travellers. I also believe it's important to use a Money Belt, although as Patrick found out the thieves are also quite opportunistic and figured out a way to get the money before it could be placed in the Money Belt.
Hopefully by sharing information in this way, no GFE members will be victimized!
Final thought....
ashley, I'm a 50+ male, about 6 ft. and 235+ lbs. and my Parents STILL worry about me travelling. My Dad was quite worried about it, for some reason? I think it's natural for parents to worry, although I've become a bit more relaxed about it lately as one of my Sons has travelled a lot more than I have (he's still in the U.K. actually-just got a few text messages from him today).
Cheers!!!
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Post by WillTravel on Feb 10, 2006 23:56:04 GMT -5
And if you're doing a fake conversation on the cell phone, any thief will definitely be able to tell you're a tourist!  |
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Post by WillTravel on Feb 11, 2006 0:06:19 GMT -5
Eagle, what cell phone plan is your son using to send the text messages?
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Post by Eagle on Feb 11, 2006 0:26:31 GMT -5
WillTravel, my Son is using a plan on one of the U.K. networks (can't remember if it's O2, Orange or whatever). My Phone is on a Rogers contract plan. Since both Phones use the GSM network, it's possible to send texts back and forth (took me a bit of trial & error to figure out the correct number sequence though - this is a bit different when calling a Cell as opposed to a land line).
It never fails to amaze me that texts are transmitted so quickly. I sent several messages today, and had a reply from the U.K. in about a minute or so (probably reasonable given the time it takes to enter the reply message into the phone with the small keyboard).
I've tried to send texts to relatives in the U.S. who use CDMA phones (Verizon), but for some reason the messages don't get through. There doesn't seem to be good "connectivity" between GSM and CDMA networks so far, although this will probably get better in future. I've also tried to send messages to Telus phones (also CDMA) and this doesn't work either.
I'm sure pleased that the GSM system works so well!!! Bell has been advertising lately that their (CDMA) phones are "five times faster than Rogers". While that may be true at the moment, Rogers will be introducing their 3G system later this year, so the Bell advantage will be short lived!!! I don't care how fast Bell phones are, they still WON'T work in London, Paris or Rome, so are completely useless for me. Also, the speed is only a benefit when using TV and other features on the phones -- I don't plan on watching TV on those goofy small screens so don't really care how fast they are. My present phone works fine for voice and texts, and that's what's important to me. People forget that one has to pay for the other stuff, and I try to keep my Cell bill "down" as much as possible.
Sorry for the rant. I'm a devout GSM user and don't have much tolerance for that "other" technology.
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Post by me on Feb 11, 2006 10:25:50 GMT -5
Bars or pubs...probably not. but, bars & pubs are often the best places to meet other travelers, or even locals. many of the best hostels have a bar. [i've met temporary travel companions in hostel bars on many occasions] |
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when i expressed puzzlement at the lack of a ring, she said "oh, we didn't exchange rings." 
