Somebody alerted me about something, now I'm a bit worried...

[miss soul fire]

I'm not afraid of travelling alone to another country that I don't know anybody, especially because I have chosen to travel that way and I already read some good tips of what to do when you travel alone, but I went out last nigth and this friend of a friend alerted me about kidnapping. I mean, who knows, there are some crazy fucks out there. I'm not gonna say anybody I'm traveling by myself (already many people know), but....you know, that made me think about the whole situation. Does anybody have any tips to give me to make me feel more safe?

I know I'm gonna meet lots of people and hopefully they are nice...but...:eek:

[silence7]

Are you traveling to a border town in Mexico to deliver some meth? If so, pack a gun in your, hmm, in your, well somewhere TSA won't find it.

A little info on where you're traveling might be helpful in this conversation.

[Helvete]

I wouldn't worry too much, can't remember the exact countries you are visiting, but I'd say it's unheard of in the UK at least. It's not quite like the movie 'Taken' you know.

I've traveled over much of Europe by myself and I've never encountered any adverse situations, I don't just mean no-one has tried to kidnap me, but I've never felt any threat.

[Lyman Zerga]

always carry some spray with you, some soap, chili, acid, pee pee mixture in the eyes would do it


p.s. cant wait to meet you!

[Helvete]

You just reminded me of an adverse situation I found myself in.

[NicRN77]

I travel solo quite often. I think you just need to be aware of your surroundings. Don't go off with some random stranger. Watch your drinks. Be safe.

[trailerprincess]

I travel solo quite often. I think you just need to be aware of your surroundings. Don't go off with some random stranger. Watch your drinks. Be safe.

Me too, just have your wits about you and don't do anything that you wouldn't normally do at home.

[JoLovesMCA]

I'm not afraid of travelling alone to another country that I don't know anybody, especially because I have chosen to travel that way and I already read some good tips of what to do when you travel alone, but I went out last nigth and this friend of a friend alerted me about kidnapping. I mean, who knows, there are some crazy fucks out there. I'm not gonna say anybody I'm traveling by myself (already many people know), but....you know, that made me think about the whole situation. Does anybody have any tips to give me to make me feel more safe?

I know I'm gonna meet lots of people and hopefully they are nice...but...:eek:

Traveling alone puts you at a very high risk but if you are smart you should be fine.

My Advice

Don't go to Aruba.
If you meet somebody and they invite you to anywhere that is not a public place don't go
Don't tell anybody you've just met where you are staying or invite anybody you don't know in your Hotel room
Don't walk off into areas especially at night that has very few people around
Leave information with friends/family back home on to where you are traveling to

You really gotta be careful. My friend is a flight attendant and she's been attacked three times already for trusting guys who she thought were really sweet and friendly. When I was in Amsterdam we met a guy at a bar and ended up walking with him to one of those weed bars, must say it was interesting. Anyway afterwards he invited us to hang with him and his friends and we declined because he was so persistant and we were out of it. He then asked where we were staying and we gave a different Hotel and left! Later another guy started following us and asking where we were going and we took off running and hailed down a cab. When people know you are alone they will try to use anything to get you to trust them.

[Echewta]

Whatever you do, do not watch "Locked Up Abroad" before you leave.

[jackrock]

Don't you live in Brazil?



My advice is to pretend you are Jane Bond, natural hyper-awareness (see: paranoia) of your environment will follow.

[Helvete]

Yeah, I think Rio or São Paulo is going to be a bit more dangerous than Western Europe...

Cue MSF shouting "YOU DON'T KNOW BRASIL OR BRASILIANS, YOU'VE NEVER BEEN THERE!!11!"

[Adam]

Say you're a travel writer researching book/article/feature. I said this once to someone and people then think it's less weird travelling alone but also gives the impression you're in contact with people. Also there is kindness in strangers but have your wits about you.

Check in with social networking a lot.

But kidnapping is rare. It's more likely in places with a large rich / poor gap where the police can easily be paid off. None of the places you're going are like that.

[Helvete]

It's more likely in places with a large rich / poor gap where the police can easily be paid off.
Brasil?

[Turchinator]

My Advice

Don't go to Aruba


Nancy Grace much?

I like the advice above to rely on the goodness of mankind. I am posting from a coffee shop in costa rica right now. I flew in before my friends and went on a couple of solo missions, including a cab ride into el barrio for some local mota.

I did this once in cancun as well. Of course there is that festering thought of "will these people chop me up and eat my brains for soup and hold my organs for auction on the underground market" but by the end of each experience I saw parts of town, people, and culture that you don't experience staying on the resorts and being afraisd of getting kidnapped.

Granted I am not a girl traveling alone and our group had a buddy system for when the ladies went out.

Still, to the OP, what alert made you so worried~?

[Adam]

Brasil?

I actually edited that out. I'm sure MSF knows the reputation of her country and I wasn't sure how much of a stereotype it was.

[Myu-to]

You're not a kid, so you shouldn't worry.

[JoLovesMCA]

Nancy Grace much?

I like the advice above to rely on the goodness of mankind. I am posting from a coffee shop in costa rica right now. I flew in before my friends and went on a couple of solo missions, including a cab ride into el barrio for some local mota.

I did this once in cancun as well. Of course there is that festering thought of "will these people chop me up and eat my brains for soup and hold my organs for auction on the underground market" but by the end of each experience I saw parts of town, people, and culture that you don't experience staying on the resorts and being afraisd of getting kidnapped.

Granted I am not a girl traveling alone and our group had a buddy system for when the ladies went out.

Still, to the OP, what alert made you so worried~?

Yeah Nancy Grace or the fact that I just watch a lot of news. I dunno I guess it depends on our experiences. Maybe I am more paranoid than the average person because I had my aunt murdered and then my friend was attacked. So I guess i am not the person to ask!

Enjoy Costa Rica!

Anyway just have fun but be smart too. ;)

[M|X|Y]

blend in, stay aware of your surroundings, don't look afraid, try to dress like the locals, don't smile too much - basically don't be a dumb ass.

people DO get kidnapped, assaulted, robbed, no matter what anyone says - - there is always the chance that you could get into trouble no matter what you do so be prepared for that.

[Echewta]

Don't smile too much? Thats odd advise.

[like2_drink]

Feel free to name drop me if a situation arises :cool:

[Myu-to]

Don't bath. Nobody ever kidknaps stinky people.

[Turchinator]

Getting kidnapped in a foreign country is like getting mugged visiting, say, New York or New Orleans... sure it's possible and it DOES happen, you just have to show some sense of surroundings and savvy....

about to board a plane back to the States with all my organs intact.

[miss soul fire]

Yeah, I think Rio or São Paulo is going to be a bit more dangerous than Western Europe...

Cue MSF shouting "YOU DON'T KNOW BRASIL OR BRASILIANS, YOU'VE NEVER BEEN THERE!!11!"

I was gonna say you are right. I lived in Rio and hated it because it's way too dangerous. Brasília, where I live, is also dangerous, but I know how to deal with it.:p

[miss soul fire]

I actually edited that out. I'm sure MSF knows the reputation of her country and I wasn't sure how much of a stereotype it was.

Yeah, Brazil is dangerous. I I live it.:D

[miss soul fire]

Feel free to name drop me if a situation arises :cool:

Well, I was actually gonna ask somebody for a phone number so I could contact anytime if I had a big problem and I know that's asking too much but it would be nice. I'm telling people I know people in every country.


And whoever asked, I'm going to Europe (UK, The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Czech Republic and France).

[miss soul fire]

I travel solo quite often. I think you just need to be aware of your surroundings. Don't go off with some random stranger. Watch your drinks. Be safe.

Thank you! That's all I was thinking about doing. :D

[miss soul fire]

Traveling alone puts you at a very high risk but if you are smart you should be fine.

My Advice

Don't go to Aruba.
If you meet somebody and they invite you to anywhere that is not a public place don't go
Don't tell anybody you've just met where you are staying or invite anybody you don't know in your Hotel room
Don't walk off into areas especially at night that has very few people around
Leave information with friends/family back home on to where you are traveling to

You really gotta be careful. My friend is a flight attendant and she's been attacked three times already for trusting guys who she thought were really sweet and friendly. When I was in Amsterdam we met a guy at a bar and ended up walking with him to one of those weed bars, must say it was interesting. Anyway afterwards he invited us to hang with him and his friends and we declined because he was so persistant and we were out of it. He then asked where we were staying and we gave a different Hotel and left! Later another guy started following us and asking where we were going and we took off running and hailed down a cab. When people know you are alone they will try to use anything to get you to trust them.

Great advice! Seriously...nice to know that...:)

[Bob]

Don't smile too much? Thats odd advise.

unless you're traveling to boston

[miss soul fire]

Thanks a lot for every advice, guys.:)

[miss soul fire]

Don't bath. Nobody ever kidknaps stinky people.

It's hard. I take at least 2 showers a day! Maybe in Europe I'll take only one. Hihihihihi.:D

[miss soul fire]

Don't smile too much? Thats odd advise.

I have a great mean face.:mad:

[fonky pizza]

I'll be very happy to meet you, I can be your body guard:p

oh, and the don't smile too much advice is (y) I have a big smile and it makes assholes think I'm dumb.

I do have my techniques btw, one is when a male stranger starts talikng to me, instead of this annoying polite answer we could voice, I just act like I am mute and start to look like a strange weirdo, quickly the guy feels so uncomfortable that he changes seat or leaves! a must in the metro!

You have fun acting and you make a fool of the guy in just one shot.:D

See you kind of soon MSF!!!:)

[Helvete]

I'm sure you'll handle Europe fine being a hardened Brasilian. Don't watch Hostel or Taken before you go and forget about all that and enjoy!

[Documad]

Don't be too worried about hurting someone's feelings. What gets women in trouble sometimes is when a guy approaches them and they have an instinct that he's bad news but they don't want to insult him by treating him like a potential rapist so they're too nice. Trust your gut. Just say "no thank you" or "I've got to meet someone so I have no time" or whatever.

[miss soul fire]

Don't be too worried about hurting someone's feelings. What gets women in trouble sometimes is when a guy approaches them and they have an instinct that he's bad news but they don't want to insult him by treating him like a potential rapist so they're too nice. Trust your gut. Just say "no thank you" or "I've got to meet someone so I have no time" or whatever.

That's what I'm gonna do. It's the best policy!

[miss soul fire]

I'm sure you'll handle Europe fine being a hardened Brasilian. Don't watch Hostel or Taken before you go and forget about all that and enjoy!

I did! Both of them! And Hostel 2!:D

[miss soul fire]

I'll be very happy to meet you, I can be your body guard:p

oh, and the don't smile too much advice is (y) I have a big smile and it makes assholes think I'm dumb.

I do have my techniques btw, one is when a male stranger starts talikng to me, instead of this annoying polite answer we could voice, I just act like I am mute and start to look like a strange weirdo, quickly the guy feels so uncomfortable that he changes seat or leaves! a must in the metro!

You have fun acting and you make a fool of the guy in just one shot.:D

See you kind of soon MSF!!!:)

I'm a weirdo by nature!!!!:D
And see you soon! Hihihihi!

[miss soul fire]

always carry some spray with you, some soap, chili, acid, pee pee mixture in the eyes would do it


p.s. cant wait to meet you!

Can't wait to meet you too, Randy! YAAAAY!!:)

[fonky pizza]

I'm a weirdo by nature!!!!:D
And see you soon! Hihihihi!

hehe! not all the time, but it's fun!!!:p