Thread: I could use some advice

I think Festus has a good point. This country has a lot of offer and is a big, big place.

That being said...if you are looking for a different sort of experience there is a lot out there. I have had friends visit and live in Europe who say it is great and so on. I have only been to the Caribbean and Central America and I have enjoyed both immensely.

I spent a month in Panama during college and loved it. There is natural beauty, the Panama Canal, and they use US dollars. Your money down there is worth a lot more. It is also a good place to visit because you won't have to go and be worried about speaking the language because most folks speak Spanish and English.

My wife and I also recently went to the US Virgin Islands which do NOT require a passport. It is fantastic down there and even though it is a US territory it is nothing like anywhere I have been in the US.

I think wherever you end up going the first step is to get a passport. Next is don't be an idiot. I've never had issues with people in other countries but I've also never put myself in dangerous situations. Enjoy yourself! Be aware of your surroundings and pay attention. (I'd give this advice to people walking/traveling in their hometown so don't be alarmed) Ask cab drivers how much it costs to get where you are going BEFORE you get in a cab.

If you are concerned about where to go, think of things you want to see/have heard others recommend. I would encourage you to at least loosely plan things before hand so you don't wind up in one country on a whim and then suddenly decide you have to travel halfway across the world to get to your next destination.

Finally, if you plan on flying or renting a car ever, sign up with the frequent flyer programs for airlines...you may end up traveling for free or at least a discounted rate.

If you have any other questions or would like to hear more about my travel experiences to make your decision, send me a message. I have photos too!!!

Originally Posted by ¤[BlitzKrieg]¤

As for US travel, I plan on being able to do that later on in my life. I know the US has a lot to offer as well, but with this much time off I want to go far away and see things I would normally not have enough time to see.

The ambitious attitude is great.

As examples of people whose ambition put mine to shame...

I met a guy in Jodhpur who was touring on a motorcycle (a BMW, I think an R100GS). He had ridden there from Bristol, England - via Turkey, Iran, and Pakistan. He was planning to keep riding south, then go north to Nepal and fly him (and his bike) home.

I thought that was pretty badass, until we met a couple near Goa (on a much less capable motorcycle). She was from the US, and I think he was Canadian. I don't know where they'd started, but they were planning to ride to New Zealand. They explained how they'd mapped out which ferries to take, and which route to take across Australia. I asked what they planned to do once they reached New Zealand. "Probably apply for citizenship," she said.

So I had to recalibrate my badass scale.

My new scale worked ok until we met a Dutch couple. They had flown to Vietnam and were riding their bicycles back to The Netherlands.

I'm not suggesting that this sort of crazy is your sort of crazy (I'm certainly more comfortable with a rail pass and a good pub on the horizon), but I am saying that that there's lots of ways to go.

Cheers,


AetheLove