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Travelling alone

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gnarnia.
Posts: 1346 - Karma: 55
has anyone ever done it? I plan on hopping on a plane in june 3000 miles away and surfing/working for three months all by myself. i think half of the allure of me doing it is the fact that ill be alone, and that everyone thinks its a scary thing to do. Ive never been, and dont know anyone there, i kind of just want to make my own way. i was just curious if anyone has ever done an extended trip alone and if they had some insights or advice or stories to share.
Apr 26 2011 10:27PM
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*TURBONERD*
Posts: 15080 - Karma: 9,152
You gonna get raped.
Apr 26 2011 10:28PM
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OG_lock
Posts: 314 - Karma: 1,615
people do harder things in life dont worry
Apr 26 2011 10:29PM
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Liam.Butler
Posts: 709 - Karma: 17
If you hear about a really cool beach from a guy named daffy you should go, but don't tell the stoner surfers about it. FUCKING PARASITES!
Apr 26 2011 10:30PM
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skier_boy26
Posts: 11295 - Karma: 502
Just go with it, and be willing to deviate a little. Lots of opportunities come up.

It is surprisingly easy and shit will work out really well.
Apr 26 2011 10:30PM
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gnarnia.
Posts: 1346 - Karma: 55
+k for people that actually have a meaningful post. im not scared and acting like what im doing is life changing, i just wanted to step out of my comfort zone, so thanks in advance to the people that arent assholes.
Apr 26 2011 10:32PM
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Deezy
Posts: 4580 - Karma: 1,004
if you are ever in an awkward situation about you being alone... whip out your phone and pretend to text someone. it makes you look important or somehting... i do this all the time when im walking down an empty hall... and someone else i walking towards me, its awks as fuck, so i avoid with the phone trick.

but actually, just dont be stupid and get lost. i think that would be the biggest problem, oh and have enough money (including cash) on you so you dont get stranded?
its honestly not that bad
Apr 26 2011 10:32PM
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the_moderaper
Posts: 2465 - Karma: 218
I feel like with enough money, you're going to be set and have a great time. Just remember that this isn't a typical vacation so you'll have to sacrifice a little to cut costs.
Apr 26 2011 10:33PM
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geteducated
Posts: 6410 - Karma: 86
traveling alone has its pluses. you make your own schedule. do what you want to do, sleep where you want to sleep, eat what you want to eat.
Apr 26 2011 10:33PM
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*TURBONERD*
Posts: 15080 - Karma: 9,152
Masturbate all the time...
Apr 26 2011 10:33PM
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shibby
Posts: 7088 - Karma: -19
Yep I've done it and plan to do so again at some point. PM me if you have any specific questions.
Apr 26 2011 10:34PM
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gnarnia.
Posts: 1346 - Karma: 55
i think going away for a while too will help me appreciate all the comforts and luxuries of home too. its simple to overlook walking in the house to a meal on the table and clean clothes in my room. my family is rad, so i hope i learn to appreciate all i have a little more.
Apr 26 2011 10:36PM
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.skiperisher.
Posts: 323 - Karma: 83
where are you heading to?
Apr 26 2011 10:37PM
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ButteredToast.
Posts: 6459 - Karma: 2,570
Hope you get a hot seat mate...



Wind up sitting next to fat old guy
Apr 26 2011 10:38PM
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gnarnia.
Posts: 1346 - Karma: 55
no where crazy, just california. i figured for my first solo extended stay its probably best to stay in the country
Apr 26 2011 10:38PM
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Wood_Wizard
Posts: 805 - Karma: 899
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Apr 26 2011 10:39PM
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SPskier543
Posts: 2413 - Karma: 324
I would do it, make sure you have a place to stay wherever your going though
Apr 26 2011 10:40PM
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.skiperisher.
Posts: 323 - Karma: 83
this is true but traveling to a different country is a wonderful experience even if it does have the same culture as your own it is still different
Apr 26 2011 10:42PM
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SPskier543
Posts: 2413 - Karma: 324
Whereabouts in California?
Apr 26 2011 10:42PM
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gnarnia.
Posts: 1346 - Karma: 55
not definitive yet, but the OC area. wherever i find a job/apartment first. id like to be in manhattan beach or costa mesa or somewhere in there, but im fine in huntington, newport, etc.
Apr 26 2011 10:45PM
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mowdapow
Posts: 223 - Karma: 48
Reviving this thread, because I am tentatively planning a solo trip, and advice would be awesome. My idea right now is to do a motorcycle trip from BC to Costa Rica, park the bike and backpack around the country for a month or so. Right now the whole trip seems really daunting, especially planning out the drive. From what I've heard taking vehicles across the borders can be tough. Has anyone here done a similar trip, or even travelled to the Costa Rica/central america? Any advice or insights would be awesome.
Jun 30 2012 4:12PM
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ryano
Posts: 4465 - Karma: 1,535
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Jun 30 2012 4:22PM
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Rafiki
Posts: 3858 - Karma: 2,251
you think that's hard? go read Into The Wild.


no but good luck to you mate
Jun 30 2012 4:33PM
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fujarome
Posts: 8630 - Karma: 1,561
traveling alone has so far proven to be one of the mot enjoyable experiences for me. I was in london for 4 months on my own and loved every second of it.

It matures you a lot simply because anything you get into, you realize it's your own fault. I once missed a train and had to walk like 5 miles at 2am (tipsy) to get home. I was mad at myself, but what can you do? Complain to someone else? You go into adult mode where you think "this is my doing, and now i'm going to deal with it."


Enjoy it and do the things you want. Even if on some days that means nothing at all. plus since you're in the US you can still text and call friends up so it won't be too lonely ever.
Jun 30 2012 5:20PM
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paige.
Posts: 1932 - Karma: 924
i just got back from central america and although i'm sure it's doable i would not want a vehichle. borders will take 1000x longer and finding parking isnt always easy (although this'll be less of an issue wih a bike). it also means you wont be able to go to some of the cool islands. i've also heard that driving in honduras is pretty sketchy and can make you a target so you'd probably want to avoid it as much possible. as for traveling alone down there it's super easy, especially if you're planning on sticking to backpacker hostels. you'll meet tons of people to hangout and travel around with. from what i've heard costa rica in general is pretty americanized and touristy so it's a bit more expensive but also will likely be easier for you on your own. belize is also quite expensive but has the benefit of being english speaking. pm me if you have any questions
Jun 30 2012 6:48PM
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proZach
Posts: 7163 - Karma: 919
what ever happened to that kid that wanted to mccandless his way across the united states for a bit? he had a blog I think but I can't find the thread. I think he was supposed to leave a week ago or something
Jun 30 2012 6:55PM
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.ZT.
Posts: 5679 - Karma: 2,792
Great book!
Jun 30 2012 6:57PM
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Rachy
Posts: 4355 - Karma: 2,761
Moved to California on my own for college. Moved to Mammoth on my own (had friends visiting all the time, so not quite the same). Moved to Colorado on my own after getting a job offer there.

Most recently moved to Switzerland alone cause I figured why the fuck not. I'm here till October and it's wonderful.

I suggest doing it as often as possible. You really learn how to meet people and handle yourself. I was incredibly shy and still am on occasion, but my experiences have opened me up so much. The moment you tell a stranger what you are doing, they are interested in your story. It becomes so easy to make friends.

If you're going for Orange County, Huntington Beach is a great place to up and move to. It's pretty young and there is a ton to do. It's also really easy to make friends there. I've met plenty of people just out walking around down there. If you are going to go Newport, I'd go balboa. It is it's own little bubble of awesome. Laguna Beach is cool, but kinda separate from everything. If you're into that scene but looking to go a tad cheaper, Hermosa/Manhattan Beach are excellent and Long Beach has a totally different feel.

I'd go huntington beach and look for a posting on craigslist with a house of people your age near the beach. There are a lot of them. Get a job on Main Street near the beach and you're set. The US Surf open is probably one of my favorite weeks of the year in CA. And surprising fact, the US Surf Open is also the largest free concert series in the US. I've seen Jimmy Eat World, Alkaline Trio, The Sounds, Weezer and MGMT all at the Surf Open. There are tons of other bands, but those are the ones I cared to see.
Jun 30 2012 6:59PM
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Bakeshow
Posts: 585 - Karma: 197
I'm on a solo trip right now. Flying was actually pretty straight forward surprisingly. I wouldn't worry about it.
Jun 30 2012 7:42PM
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SpaghettiWizard
Posts: 2825 - Karma: 166
Just get out there and yolo as hard as possible good things will come
Jun 30 2012 9:37PM
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Ski_Alot
Posts: 5890 - Karma: 3,589
Wel im flying crosscountry tommorow solo...
Jun 30 2012 9:43PM
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camsully93
Posts: 110 - Karma: 80
Not sure but chris mccandless was one hell of an inspiration..to just give away all his college funds to a food charity and then leave home and live off basically rice while being happy enjoying adventure/nature and living life day by day traveling cross country. Seems about right surprisingly. Anyways if you want some inspiration OP "into the wild" is a good read considering he was happy doing what he was doin hitching & walking around the US. Just dont get to extreme and try living off wild berries in the Denali far in the deep Alaskan wilderness.
Jun 30 2012 9:51PM
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jokorvalde
Posts: 210 - Karma: 111
Go for it, sounds like fun! the feeling of freedom must be great
good luck!
Jul 2 2012 10:08AM
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s_a_m
Posts: 916 - Karma: 58
Doing it right now. Three weeks ago right after graduation I moved here to Vienna, Austria. I'll be staying here for a year working and travelling as much as I can. I wouldn't really say I'm alone anymore though, you meet lots of cool people and make friends really quickly. After this year I'm moving back to the US and going to college. Stoked for the rest of this year!
Jul 2 2012 10:21AM
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timmi
Posts: 12874 - Karma: 3,460
It was a really good experience. As long as you're not going somewhere sketchy and have some spare money the worst that could happen is you get stuck somewhere and need a hotel.
Jul 2 2012 10:24AM
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