Traveling Alone?

[sara8]

I'm a 20 yr old female, and am hoping to spend 2 months this summer backpacking through Europe. This is something that I've wanted to do for the past 3 summers and I'm determined for it to happen this year. However, my main issue is finding someone to travel with me. One of my friends has said that he may be interested in going with me for the first 3-4 weeks, but that still leaves me with a large chunk of time and of my itinerary.

I've been flirting with the idea of going alone for a while now, but I have a lot of reservations about it. For one, my mother is convinced that I'm not able to do it on my own and has pretty much stated, point blank, that she doesn't want me to do it. This has a lot to do with the fact that I happen to be a very shy person, and am not always great at meeting new people. On the one hand, I know that shes right about that, but yet I still feel as though doing something like this alone would be a chance for me to come out of my shell and to learn more about myself.

Does anyone have any feedback on this? It would be greatly appreciated!

[WillTravel]

Sara, what would make your mother feel confident about you traveling on your own? Maybe ask her. Have you lived on your own up to now yet, or taken local trips alone? Discuss the possibility of having a firm itinerary and a cell phone and/or you emailing or phoning frequently to let her know where you are. Keeping in touch can be very cheap. Of course, one significant factor is if your mom is helping pay for it. Of course, she will have a much bigger say if so.

[sara8]

Thanks for the advice Will. I think what bothers me the most is that she seems pretty firm in her opinion on this, yet I'm the one fully financing the trip. But there has to be some way of rationalizing it....I just hope I can figure it out!

[morgan23]

Your story sounds very similar to mine. Read my post "Solo woman backpacker 19 Safe?"
My parents opinion is basically: you'll die if you go alone.
They think no women do it and if I do I will get raped and killed and be laying in front of the Eiffel Tower dead with no family and no one who knows me and no one to contact them.
Neither of them have ever been to Europe and I think that plays a part in this as well.
Because I think most people are afraid of what they don't know.
Read my post, the other members have been really helpful so far.

[sarahray85]

I'm 20, my name is Sarah AND I went backpacking alone...it's a sign.

[sara8]

Thanks Morgan. Surprisingly enough, I think I may have finally started to talk some sense into my mother....but I'll have to see what comes of it

And Sarah, I think you're right....it must be a sign!