First time travelling! Help?

[crazyScott]

I'm 19 years old, Canadian, and I've decided to see the world! woohoo
So in a month, I'm going to Germany to visit some friends for a week, and then going to Thailand for 12 months to teach English. I just bought my plane ticket today!

That's when it sunk in: I've never been outside of Canada before. Hell, I've hardly been outside Ontario. I'm going by myself, without any support from anyone! I've always been outrageously adventurous, but this is probably the craziest thing I've done in my life so far. I've never even been to an airport before!

I would appreciate some tips, help, and advice from anyone who has any experience travelling!

[Sekhem]

At 2/25/13 04:26 AM, crazyScott wrote: I would appreciate some tips, help, and advice from anyone who has any experience travelling!

sleep on flights, don't forget condoms, and don't use drugs prior to travelling

that is all

[Trillionaire]

Be paranoid.

Much of Thailand hates foreigners. One of the ways they get rid of uncouth tourists in Thailand is throwing them off roofs. Thai drivers are the worst, and you will witness a lot of hit-and-run accidents. If you don't see a dead body in a month, you'll see two the next month. The police are all corrupt, they profit from local criminal circles, and if you're white you are sheep for the slaughter.

Have fun!

[Provoke]

Might sure to check how much your money is worth in another country, it sucks greatly when you brought 600$ to a country yet to them it's worth 30. Plan ahead of this, search online for a international money graph, or if you use a mac just check the dashboard if you have the app.
Another thing, do not fly delta, their cookies will get you sick. Just a heads up.

[crazyScott]

At 2/25/13 04:45 AM, Trillionaire wrote: Be paranoid.

Much of Thailand hates foreigners. One of the ways they get rid of uncouth tourists in Thailand is throwing them off roofs. Thai drivers are the worst, and you will witness a lot of hit-and-run accidents. If you don't see a dead body in a month, you'll see two the next month. The police are all corrupt, they profit from local criminal circles, and if you're white you are sheep for the slaughter.

Have fun!

Hahahaha, so I've heard! I'm honestly just interested in the culture and I just want to teach kids. I don't think I'm going to get mixed up in any of this red light district stuff or anything like that. I'm not looking for any trouble, I think I'll be okay! At least I hope it's not as bad as you make it seem.

[LiquidFire]

I'm sorry to disappoint you. But time travelling isn't possible yet.

[Provoke]

At 2/25/13 04:54 AM, LiquidFire wrote: I'm sorry to disappoint you. But time travelling isn't possible yet.

I knew somebody was going to make that joke sooner or later.

[crazyScott]

At 2/25/13 04:54 AM, LiquidFire wrote: I'm sorry to disappoint you. But time travelling isn't possible yet.

I don't think it ever will be!

[Cordyceps]

Definitely go to see an underground Muay Thai Pride fight.

You`ll be glad you did.

[crazyScott]

At 2/25/13 04:56 AM, Provoke wrote:

At 2/25/13 04:54 AM, LiquidFire wrote: I'm sorry to disappoint you. But time travelling isn't possible yet.

I knew somebody was going to make that joke sooner or later.

Oh, okay. I don't get it.

Thanks for the responses so far everyone.

[Trambamboline]

At 2/25/13 04:56 AM, Provoke wrote:

At 2/25/13 04:54 AM, LiquidFire wrote: I'm sorry to disappoint you. But time travelling isn't possible yet.

I knew somebody was going to make that joke sooner or later.

I thought that was what this thread was going to be about.

[crazyScott]

At 2/25/13 05:09 AM, Trambamboline wrote:

At 2/25/13 04:56 AM, Provoke wrote:

At 2/25/13 04:54 AM, LiquidFire wrote: I'm sorry to disappoint you. But time travelling isn't possible yet.

I knew somebody was going to make that joke sooner or later.

I thought that was what this thread was going to be about.

Oh shit, now I get it.
You guys are lame, hahahaha.

[Mismo]

At 2/25/13 04:56 AM, Provoke wrote:

At 2/25/13 04:54 AM, LiquidFire wrote: I'm sorry to disappoint you. But time travelling isn't possible yet.

I knew somebody was going to make that joke sooner or later.

How could you possible know, unless... YOU'RE FROM THE FUTURE!

Admit it!

[UVSoaked]

At 2/25/13 04:54 AM, LiquidFire wrote: I'm sorry to disappoint you. But time travelling isn't possible yet.

But time is traveling forward right now!

[Halberd]

I'm tired so I thought you said it was your first time time travelling

[Trambamboline]

At 2/25/13 08:45 AM, Halberd wrote: I'm tired so I thought you said it was your first time time travelling

We all did man, it's okay. I guess he's just not cool enough to hang out with Romans.

[crazyScott]

At 2/25/13 08:53 AM, Trambamboline wrote:

At 2/25/13 08:45 AM, Halberd wrote: I'm tired so I thought you said it was your first time time travelling

We all did man, it's okay. I guess he's just not cool enough to hang out with Romans.

come on man :(

[Pkmn2]

At 2/25/13 04:26 AM, crazyScott wrote: I would appreciate some tips, help, and advice from anyone who has any experience travelling!

I'm not really experienced, but common sense tells me following:
Take enough money with you.
Clothes are important.
Medicine for fever and such? Absolutely essential.
Don't talk to strangers unless you really have to.
Watch your back.

Yeah, that's about it. And also don't eat everything that's being sold on the street. Especially cheap ice cream...

[Xenomit]

Always give the appearance of a tourist

Always talk to shady looking strangers who have been staring at you for long periods of times

Always trust people to take good care of your money

Never call for help if you're getting mugged

[Trambamboline]

At 2/26/13 01:20 AM, crazyScott wrote: come on man :(

Prove me wrong. Bring us a Gladius and a tower shield and I'll concede that you are a bad enough dude to tangle with Rome.

[Luis]

I guess the only thing I dont do while I'm abroad is eat street vendor food or drink water from the tap. But considering you are going to be in Thailand so long, maybe its inevitable and not such a bad thing, you might be sick for a few days but your body will be able to adapt to it in the long haul. Have fun, its a rewarding experience to goto new places, particularly on your own.

[Jin]

Thailand's a bad place to be for long stays.

[ForNoReason]

If you are given food in Thailand, don't eat all of it. Leave atleast one bite.

[crazyScott]

At 2/26/13 11:08 AM, Luis wrote: I guess the only thing I dont do while I'm abroad is eat street vendor food or drink water from the tap. But considering you are going to be in Thailand so long, maybe its inevitable and not such a bad thing, you might be sick for a few days but your body will be able to adapt to it in the long haul. Have fun, its a rewarding experience to goto new places, particularly on your own.

I've heard the street vendor food in Thailand is supposed to be great! I do agree with the tap water though. Thanks!

Thanks again for all the replies. Please provide an exlpanation for these things though :P why would I leave one bite of food left? Why is Thailand so horrible?

I would also appreciate general help about travelling, not just Thailand. Seriously, the thing I'm worried about the most right now is getting lost at the airport and missing my flight.

[ForNoReason]

I work in an Airport and the biggest issue I can see from travelers is the lack of reading comprehension. Signs are there to get you where you need to go. READ THEM!! Asks questions if you get lost or confused. Always be early for any flight. Like 2-3 hours early. It gets boring if things go smoothly but youll be happy as hell if you get held up in anyway. Look up information on each countries airport security before you go.

[Grotty]

You may require one of these.

[Suprememessage]

If you're going to be teaching English you better learn the native language first.

[Luis]

At 2/26/13 02:06 PM, crazyScott wrote: Thanks again for all the replies. Please provide an exlpanation for these things though :P why would I leave one bite of food left? Why is Thailand so horrible?

The street vendor food may be good, by all means try it. I've never been to thailand. I just personally make it my rule of thumb to not get street food. But I have a fairly sensitive digestive system. Also most of my trips are pretty short, so being sick for even one day would be brutal on my tight schedule.

I guess its a matter of how well you know your own body from past experiences. I know some people that do it all the time with no problems.

Investing in one of those neck pillows is a good idea for a long flight, particularly if you know you are in a middle seat. Also taking a small bag with you as a carry on that has atleast one change of clothes, incase your luggage is delayed or lost. Common sense stuff.

[crazyScott]

At 2/26/13 03:51 PM, Luis wrote:

At 2/26/13 02:06 PM, crazyScott wrote: Thanks again for all the replies. Please provide an exlpanation for these things though :P why would I leave one bite of food left? Why is Thailand so horrible?

The street vendor food may be good, by all means try it. I've never been to thailand. I just personally make it my rule of thumb to not get street food. But I have a fairly sensitive digestive system. Also most of my trips are pretty short, so being sick for even one day would be brutal on my tight schedule.

I guess its a matter of how well you know your own body from past experiences. I know some people that do it all the time with no problems.

Investing in one of those neck pillows is a good idea for a long flight, particularly if you know you are in a middle seat. Also taking a small bag with you as a carry on that has atleast one change of clothes, incase your luggage is delayed or lost. Common sense stuff.

I actually haven't thought of the possibility of my luggage being lost .. if that happens, I think i'll be screwed. That's not common, is it? I was just planning on taking a bunch of drugs and being knocked out for the whole flight. The airport seems much scarier than Thailand at the moment.

[DarkMiasma]

You should visit São Tomé and PrÃ-ncipe