I'm a 19 year old American university student interested intraveling in Southeast Asia. I have a friend who took a break year beforecollege to travel in Southeast Asia, and he said that he met a few girls whilethere that began their travels by volunteering. I thought this sounded like agood idea, so I've been looking into programs, and right now I'm trying toconvince my parents to let me take 7 week classes in the fall semester and thengo to volunteer in Thailand in November. I would really like to travel afterthat, as getting over there costs a lot of money and I don't know when I wouldbe able to afford it again. Obviously, traveling alone as a 19 year-old foreigngirl makes me nervous, but at the same time if I let that get the best of meI'll never do anything (and this is something I really feel like I need to do).Does it make a big difference traveling in Thailand if you’re blonde/blue-eyedand light skinned versus brunette/brown-eyes and tan skinned, because I’m thelatter and I’m also a bit on the shorter side.

What I'm wondering/needing information on is how to travelsafely by myself, what kind of places to stay, what kind of places to avoid,how to get from city to city (bus, train, taxi, plane?), as well as country tocountry (if I choose to visit more countries than just Thailand, and also howto get visas for the countries), and just anything else I should know. I'm notreally a big partier, so I'm not too interested in the expat/tourist partyscene, but I am interested in learning about other things to do as a traveler.I would really like to get away from the main tourist areas and get a taste ofthe culture and daily life of the people. Is there a way to live in an area fora little while, like a month at a time? Also, if anyone has any suggestedreadings that would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much!

Frankly, use common sense. Don't go drinking with strangers, don't get drunk and wander around by yourself, don't trust someone just because they are a foreigner or come from the same country, never leave your valuables unattended even if its with someone you think you know (met a girl who had everything stolen by a a fellow countrymen who had befriended her, after a few days she thought she knew him, went to the toilet and came back and her bag was gone).

Learn a few words of Thai when you get here, dress fairly conservatively (despite what Thai girls wear, its just better if you do) --avoid the short shorts and revealing shirts. Don't go out in your bikini anywhere but the beach, its just not acceptable.

Anyway, alot of it is just common sense, you'd be amazed how many people leave it at home when they go on vacation

As to getting around, personally I don't like the buses. Out of the city the drivers haul ass and are said to use drugs to stay awake. They swerve around cars and do crazy moves that make it feel like the bus is about to roll. They often cause or are involved in accidents.I have seen them racing along the outskirts of BKK and while having only ridden in them 2 times, I will not do it again, as long as I can avoid it. I would recommend the train as a cheep safe way to travel, 2nd class should be safe enough if your worried about your stuff at night, and for places where the train doesn't go, I would use a van service. Like the bus, but with its smaller size, I feel more comfortable with the swerving and crazy driving then on a top heavy bus. Other then that, have fun and use common sense. Oh and a lot of people leave their common sense, morality, decency, etc on the plane or back in their home country. Don't do that. Not only does it make you look bad and cause locals (Thai and longtime residents) to treat you differently (read "just another idiot"), it will make all the other foreigners look bad as well. Especially if you plan on going places where their aren't a lot of foreigner, you should remember that you are an ambassador for your country.

Edited May 8, 201115 yr by hpwheelman