A
female
age
41-50,
anonymous
writes:I really would love some advice about a real dilemna I'm facing.What do you do if you're single, and you're a woman and you have made up your mind to travel to another country? (In my case, Spain) I've made up my mind to go, but I don't have anyone to go with me and I'm a little bit scared. I speak the language fluently and I've read all about the country, and I would never let my fear dissuade me... but I worry about my safety and I realize it would be better if I had a friend.I'm in my late 20s and later this year, I'm going to study abroad, in a language school. This course lasts for a month, but I won't have much free time. After I finish studying I want to stay there for a month or two because it's a country that I've always wanted to see. It would just be an unpardonable sin to leave and not see all the beautiful things, in particular I would like to see the horses and the old churches, and the beaches (even though it'll be too cold to really enjoy them). Hopefully I'll have met and gotten to know some people by then, but I'm not sure. I'm dying to travel and explore, though... how can I safely do it? At least, be relatively safe? I went to Cuernavaca (in Mexico) as an undergrad, and I went by myself but I had a family and met people at my university. This is a little different. I'm excited about going, but I'm scared to death. I'm going anyway, I just want to make the most of it.Thanks!!!
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female
reader, SirenaBlusera  +, writes (22 April 2009):
 I'm not too worried about crime, and Spain is one of the safest countries, I understand. I'm sure it's friendly and I know it's beautiful... It's just overwhelming to think of being so far away from home and alone. In spite of all this, nothing will stop me. I just feel guilty because my family knows my plans and they're freaked out. I know what I'm doing but I don't know how to put them at peace.
I have a second degree blue belt in tae kwon do, but I don't fear anyone hurting me physically if I have my eyes open... it's just overwhelming, like I said,
I will check out these sites Star!! Thanks so much!
All of you gave great advice, thanks for everything, I will be in touch with you guys!
Wild west, lol. yee-haw.
A
reader, anonymous, writes (21 April 2009): Its Spain, not the wild west... they don't carry guns it is not America. Its a very beautiful friendly country (I know America is to).
Of course sensible precautions as in anywhere you don't know. Don't walk down alleys, be wary of talking to strangers, just as you would in your own country.
One thing that is maybe worth doing is getting a wedding type ring. That may put off some unfriendly advances....
Worth flicking through websites and books like lonely planet for anything they say to pay attention of.
Also worth checking America's equivalent of this website:
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/travel-advice-by-country/europe/spain
its the Brit government site on going abroad...since it will scare you a little for spain, also look at the US one : http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/travel-advice-by-country/north-central-america/united-states.
have a really really good time - its a fabulous place.
Star.x.
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A
reader, anonymous, writes (21 April 2009): hi wondering,
Yeah I'm scared to death but I'm not gonna let that stop me. It never did before :)
Those are some wonderful ideas.
Sure I'll say hi to him... if I see him... that would be awesome :D
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A
female
reader, wonderingcat  +, writes (21 April 2009):
 Hi SirenaBlusera!
Are you still having butterflies in your stomach about traveling to Spain, to study and probably to live there?
As a rule of thumb for travelling anywhere in this world on your own, is always to be sensible. You may even find a friend already on your plane ride to Madrid. When you are in Spain, if in doubt, always ask the locals' opinions. If you lived in a dorm, ask the supervisor./warden for contacts and places to go. If you live with a family, their families may even invite you over. Or, find fellow travellers in your university (a bulletin board always works!). Or, book trips through an agent.
Everywhere in the world, there always pickpockets, ticket scalpers, etc. Again, just be sensible, and keep your eyes open. To enjoy and to be alert of course.
Good luck and have fun in Spain! Say Hi to Javier Bardem if you ever bump into him lol
Cheers,
Cat
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