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Good topic. I love to travel but, sometimes it does take courage. If you really want to go somewhere, you will do the research and take precautions and you’ll get yourself there. Best wishes.
I don't feel restricted exactly, but don't travel much when single. Its not as much fun for me to travel single. I've done it several times, and those were some of my worst vacations. So I restrict myself because I know how it turns out.
Has this guy actually been to Europe? Europe is a very diverse place (certainly Western Europe anyway), I seriously doubt 'travellers of colour' are going to get 'stared at' in cities where people from all walks of life live side by side. I would say to any women black or white please don't let your worry's put you off travelling, of course anywhere on the planet you need to keep your wits about you but I think Western Europe is about as safe as it can get on this world of ours.
I've been a birdwatcher for 40 years. Besides spending a lot of time at the usual hotspots, I often just pull over on a country road and walk a few hundred meters to see the local birdlife. Countless times, I've been challenged by local residents, what am I doing on "their" road.
I can imagine what it would be like if I were black. I understand why I have never met a single black birdwatcher, and why the OP is hesitant about traveling "freely" the way I do as a white American..
As a gay man, absolutely yes. I have been told to avoid the Caribbean for example. I would not travel to Islamic countries, unfortunately. I would like to be better traveled, but have avoided travel due to my orientation.
Has this guy actually been to Europe? Europe is a very diverse place (certainly Western Europe anyway), I seriously doubt 'travellers of colour' are going to get 'stared at' in cities where people from all walks of life live side by side. I would say to any women black or white please don't let your worry's put you off travelling, of course anywhere on the planet you need to keep your wits about you but I think Western Europe is about as safe as it can get on this world of ours.
I wasn't stared at even when I visited small towns in Spain. I was approached by curious locals and we had great conversations, though.
Western Europe is probably the most tolerant place on earth. But it's not nearly as safe as Japan, I used common sense so I didn't get into trouble.
I suspect the problem in Italy is a lot of women from Africa are trafficked to be sex workers. I've seen them standing alone on rural roads.
So it could be wise to venture out with a companion(s). It is good you are traveling with a group and hope you go through with the trip and report back on your journey.
As a gay man, absolutely yes. I have been told to avoid the Caribbean for example. I would not travel to Islamic countries, unfortunately. I would like to be better traveled, but have avoided travel due to my orientation.
How would anybody know your sexual orientation unless you specifically told them?
As a woman, I am definitely reluctant to travel anywhere alone, tbh even some areas within the US. I think a lot of men won't/can't quite understand women's very valid fears.
When I went to Italy a few years ago, our tour guide was black. Everyone in our tour group was white iirc, and many of Italian descent (some even spoke Italian), but our guide was black (American) and I didn't notice any animosity to her at all. And she loved the job. But she did speak Italian, maybe that helped her. Italy is gorgeous, especially along the Amalfi Coast. Stunning. And in Rome, the Colosseum is mind-blowing. You should go!! Just watch thiefs, at least when I was there pickpocketing was a big thing.
I love to travel, but I often feel restricted, in terms of where I should go, due to my race, gender and marital status. Long story short, I"m a single black American woman.
I shouldn't impose such restrictions on myself, but I will admit that I do worry about safety a lot, so much so, that whenever I travel, I don't venture outside of my room during the evening or at night. Also, I don't ever consume any alcohol while traveling, because I know it's important to always be aware of my surroundings at all times.
I would very much like to travel more, but I worry that as a solo black female traveler, it will be unsafe for me to visit certain African, Middle Eastern or European nations.
Is anyone else in a similar predicament?
For starters, Americans in general are restricted to some degree. There are places you just cannot visit on a US passport.
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