Re: The road goes ever on and on - A Travel Thread

[Norc]

yeah true, Nancy Drew  but i still feel, or at least felt, that guys had a bit of an advantage somehow..

don't get me wrong though, i enjoy travelling alone and just depending on myself, but i think it would be more fun to do it with someone, even though it may me false security.

[halfwise]

Of course friends are more fun, but not always convenient, especially if sleep schedules don't match. Just don't wander alone in any place that has honor killings; that crap permeates society and increases the rape risk for anyone seen to violate the code.

But even in western societies women are justifiably intimidated by men.  The thing to understand is it's usually men being pushy about things which may lead to a sexual encounter.  If you have strict lines and give them a good tongue lashing if crossed they'll quickly realize they are going no where and back right off.  It's much better to refuse the feeling of intimidation in favor of being offended at their idiocy. If they seem salvageable you don't even have to walk away: men are actually easier to train than cats. Put them in their place then carry on like nothing happened.

[Norc]

true true

[Mrs Figg]

as Halfy says its all about being very aware of your surroundings, and who is around you, its important never to be surprised by people behind you, scope out dodgy characters and avoid them. so for example on trains you never sit in an empty carriage but its always safer to sit near other women or families, never walk around at night alone in a strange city, or if you do, go to well lit areas with lots of people about, its all common sense stuff, like, watch your drink being made before accepting it from anyone, dont hitch-hike, always have somewhere safe to sleep. Mostly though its good fun, and it enriches your life, people need to take risks to feel achievment in life, just safe risks.  

[David H]

One advantage that women travellers have over men is that in most parts of the world other women will look out for other women.  If you're in a strange place and you're not sure if it's OK or not, don't ever be shy about going up to a stranger and asking for help. Of course you should use some judgement about which stranger, but really almost anyone will do if it's a culture with any code of hospitality at all. If you're nice and modestly dressed, this works for almost anyone almost anywhere, but in general women are more protective of other women than men are of men.

Also, If I suddenly notice that I'm in an area with lots of men and no women at all, it's time to look closer at the situation. It may be perfectly safe, but it's time to know where the exits are. Too much testosterone in a small area can be volatile.... For a woman alone, I'd say just try to avoid all-male social situations on principle. (Don't go back to the ship with a sailor, or to the locker room with a football player for example.  ) But that's probably true everywhere, right?

[halfwise]

Poor Norc.  All she did was mention she felt safer travelling with friends, and we all start loading her down with advice. She'll probably show up at one of our doors - all alone - whack us in the nose with a rolled newspaper and disappear again.  

[Norc]

i appreciate it ^^ you all care so much  although i must add that i am pretty dangerous

[Mrs Figg]

maybe its a good idea to be an expert in Krav Maga and just go everywhere without a care in the world   

[Norc]

krav maga?

[Ringdrotten]

Israeli martial art

[Norc]

oh.

[Bluebottle]

I used to take the train back and fort from Oslo to Trondheim every now and then. The part over Dovre is really beautiful, but I have to admit I found it pretty tiring. Your brain tends to go a bit fussy after 6-7 hours of travel. Mine does anyway.

That's my interesting story. And I'm sticking with it.   

[Ringdrotten]

I've travelled that distance alot as well, and Dovre is very nice indeed I actually prefer travelling by train, even though I save 3-4 hours if I go by plane. It's just alot more relaxing - I can read a book, watch a movie, eat half-decent food. Each to his own, though

[Norc]

i also prefer train, when i can. it's exotic.

[halfwise]

I tried Krav Magna. they spend the first half hour totally wearing you out on exercises, then when it comes to actually practicing attack/defence moves, you're too tuckered out to actually hit someone. Makes sense I guess. But I didn't enjoy spending most of my time be converted into a sweat ball instead of learning something, so I quit.

[Mrs Figg]

you tried it?   

[halfwise]

I don't recommend it unless you geek out on fitness. I just wanted to learn the moves, but you're too tired to process anything by the time you get there. Good moves, if only I could remember any of them.   

[Norc]

tae kwon-do ftw!!!

[Pettytyrant101]

I dont hold with travel- you can never be certain of the local buckie, you can't trust the food in some places it might even involve vegetables  and you are guaranteed to always meet foreigners- and worse when you are in someone elses country you become a foreigner!    

[halfwise]

I'm sure Scotland would be a fairly nice place to visit if it weren't for all the dratted Scots scampering about.

[Forest Shepherd]

I believe a certain historically-improvised but popular epic that came out in the mid 90s put it rather well.
"The problem with Scotland... Is it's full of Scots!"

[Forest Shepherd]

I dont hold with travel- you can never be certain of the local buckie, you can't trust the food in some places it might even involve vegetables  and you are guaranteed to always meet foreigners- and worse when you are in someone elses country you become a foreigner!    

Petty sounds like a drunk Ratty.

“Beyond the Wild Wood comes the wild world,"said the Rat."And that's something that doesn't matter, either to you or to me. I've never been there, and I'm never going' nor you either, if you've got any sense at all.”

[Norc]

if you want to travel to the Arctic this video will show you how to behave

[Bluebottle]

I've travelled that distance alot as well, and Dovre is very nice indeed I actually prefer travelling by train, even though I save 3-4 hours if I go by plane. It's just alot more relaxing - I can read a book, watch a movie, eat half-decent food. Each to his own, though

Yeah, I guess I would tend to agree with that.   I'd prefer driving for shorter distances though, you just have that much more freedom.

As for going to Trondheim, the plane is alright as it only takes about 40 minutes. Though there's at least an hour or two on each end as well as both Gardemoen and Værnes is so far out of town. And you spend your time going in and out of planes and buses.

I have driven too, though that is far more tiring again than the train. Though you can go at your own pace and stop when you feel like it.

Tried the night bus once... never again.

So, yeah, I'd agree the train is preferable. I guess I just find travelling those sort of distances a bit tiring in general. Though I'm not sure I agree about the food.

Both your plans sound more interesting than going back and forth to Trondheim though.  

[Bluebottle]

Two weeks?   Yeah, sorry about that.