Too young?
Too young?
Ok so I just booked my RTW ticket which is very exciting! :) But I’m a little worried that I’m being totally naive about the whole thing.
When I gave my date of birth the adviser said “Gosh, you’re very young to be doing this trip…” in a really worried voice. (I’m 23, will turn 24 as I travel). My trip involves South America and Ghana, and she said she was concerned about how I would cope in these areas. Now Ghana I’m not worried about, as I’ll be working on a voluntary project that I already know a load of people from and I’ve been there before. But am I kidding myself that I’ll survive Rio?! I also met a Brazilian woman yesterday who went on and on about how much danger I’ll be, so I’m a bit on edge about the whole thing at the moment haha.
I’m not an idiot about personal safety, I won’t flash my cash around or wander off alone in the dark etc etc, and I’m always researching common scams and how to avoid them, but am I totally underestimating how much danger I’ll be in?! Or am I right in suspecting that the adviser may have been trying to scare me into taking an organised tour?!
Anyway, like I’ve said I already booked the ticket so I guess it’s too late to put me off haha, but I guess I’d like some reassurance that I’m not going to be brutally murdered the moment I step off the plane? Thanks!
you will be fine i was 19 when i traveled south america by my self . I am still alive and well. i never done a organised tour and had a brilliant time. just chill cause i remeber how nervous i was on my first day in south america i thought everyone was about to mug me. turns out they were all just looking at me cause i was a tall white blonde girl wandering around. not saying i never got stuff stolen but its no where near as dangerous as people think and most locals are soo friendly !!
Thanks, that’s exactly what I needed to hear! :)
I’m used to people insisting that it’s too dangerous and assumed it was exaggerated, but hearing it from a local and an experienced adviser was a bit alarming haha.
Do you have any must-see recommendations for South America?
You’ll be fine as long as you have some common sense.
I hate people who try and scare you about a place. I remember checking into a hostel in Quito and being given such a horror story about how unsafe it was outside that when I left the hostel I was constantly looking over my shoulder thinking someone was going to come from behind and rob me. I clung tightly onto my bag for a good hour before starting to relax and realising what a load of old tosh I’d been told!
I’m going to Asia/Australia, but as an 18 year old doing a RTW next year this worries me a little! I don’t think I’m too young… you definitely aren’t
The people who tell you you’re going to die in South America invariably have never been there themselves.
The woman from Rio should probably ask herself how she is still alive if it’s so dangerous for women.
You’ll be fine.
Yes, bad things have happened. But bad things happen everywhere, even in your own town.
Be sensible, follow local advice, but most of all, have fun. Don’t let the narrow-mindedness of a load of Jeremy Kyle contestants put you off your dream.
I can’t tell you how nervous I get clicking on posts titled ‘Too young?’ when the last comment is by Warrick.
With regards to the OP’s question, I think it’s ridiculous that someone selling you a flight ticket would imply you’re too young to be doing a trip.
It just doesn’t make sense however you look at it. Firstly, they don’t know anything about you, and secondly don’t they want you to buy the ticket instead of scaring you off?
Maybe if I knew a girl heading to South America on her own at 18 I would be like, ‘Okay are you prepared enough for that kind of trip?’ But at 23./24 this shouldn’t be an issue.
Obviously people have different levels of maturity and senses of responsibility at different ages, but at your age I would think you’d be fine. Just take the logical precautions you mention and you should be fine.
As for ‘surviving in Rio’, it’s an exotic city. There is an element of danger to parts of it, but, again, just be sensible. The risks don’t come close to consider not going IMO.
I travelled alone in south america at 18 too and had no problems even with not knowing a word of spanish when I first arrived (learning some before would have been wise though)! You will be totally fine and I bet you will never be alone either, just tag along with others!
I can’t tell you how nervous I get clicking on posts titled ‘Too young?’ when the last comment is by Warrick.
Oh My God that was the funniest thing I have read in ages.
I have had this for the past month from people in my year group saying that Asia is too dangerous to travel on my own, I’m going to get scared and go home early ect ect.. I’m pretty sure most of them are jealous that they don’t have the guts to do it :P x
I think you might be right suspecting that she was trying to get you to organise trips, as why would she be putting you off buying a product from her?!
From my own travels I would say that there are plenty of 23/24 year olds out there doing the same thing as you.
I did parts of my travel on my own (I’m 19) and sometimes there were intimidating experiences but I don’t think they would have been any different, or I would have handled myself any differently had I have been 10 or 20 years older than I am now. I know that’s not the case for some people, but as others above have said, common sense and taking time to think about the situation you are in rather than rushing will get you far.
And a good story to tell people who are worried about you - I once had a customer tell me that her daughter spent a year on a RTW trip without having anything stolen and on her first day back in England, someone stole her handbag off her in the street!
Hey! Congratulations for having booked your flight! It feels sooo good!! :D
What RTW did u book? When are you heading to SA?
I’m also traveling South America on my own, and I’m 24. I dont think its an age issue…you are def. not too young!!
Many of my friends and family, keep telling me I shouldn’t do it…that it’s too dangerous…but guess what? they’ve never been there!!
I just don’t listen to people who just tries to scare me!
I’m sure its not going to be as safe as Europe or Australia…but we will be fine!!! That’s part of the adventure!
Thanks guys! This is exactly the kind of reassurance I needed :-).
Kirstied - I will be stealing that story to tell everyone who insists it’s too dangerous from now on,I love it! Thanks.
Laura- I went back to my original plan of starting in South America. I’ll be landing in Rio on 21st September!! And I’m doing a very similar route to you, except I’m not going to India and I’m ending up in Ghana for charity work.
Ahh now my worries have been calmed down I can get back to being excited, thanks again everyone! :-)
I’m arriving the 21st too but in Sao Paulo!!! I’m not quite sure yet, but I think I’m going to do: Sao Paulo - Rio-salvador de bahia-recife, and from there a flight to Managua, or a flight to somewhere in central America, Colombia or Ecuador…to start doing the way down to Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, spend Christmas in Sao Paulo, and then Argentina, and end In Santiago de Chile, where my flight to NZ departs. We can def. meet for some parts of the trip. Or at least for the most “dangerous” ones!!
