Advice Please for Concerned Parent

[bagman]

Hi there

My 21 year old daughter is planning to travel to South America at the end of the year with her girlfriend of similar age.

This will be her first major overseas trip by herself. I must confess that I am not exactly enamoured with the idea.....why she couldn't have chosen a trip to Europe, the UK or the US I don’t know.

My logical mind tells me that travelling anywhere in the world can be dangerous, that it's all relative. Even tourists in Sydney can be mugged and murdered.

Apologies to all South Americans.
No disrespect intended, but from what I have read and seen on news reports over the years my gut feeling is to say "no way".

Being 21 of course she can tell me to bugger off and do what she likes.
Therefore I seek your advice, tips, opinions etc.

After pointing out the pitfalls and dangers she still wishes to go, then it has to be on a fully organised trip.

So my questions are two-fold; Am I being overly protective and can you offer suggestions ( based on personal experience ) on a good organised trip that would suit her age group ?

Greatly appreciate all your advice

cheers

 

[james4321]

Security is all important - anywhere you travel and doubly so in Sth America. One thing I would do for certain is to secure my luggage so that it is watertight! Dont just rely on locks - I would get my bags wrapped. It is available in Melbourne and Brisbane.

 

[Saab34]

She is 21, let her go, she will be fine. As long as she is aware of Safety in SA, which is displayed in the link below.

Your not the only one though, most parents would feel the same, especially for their first overseas trip. I am just back from a Solo break from California, and being only 20 years old, I managed fine, actually I had the time of my life...I am actually going back over to the US in 6 months again to explore.

Some Advice:
-Get luggage wrapped, can be done in Melbourne, I presume elsewhere?
- Use this article on safety tips: Safety Tips for Travel in South America

 

[notzac]

Best advice I can offer is get your daughter to do a stack of research - knowing where you should and shouldn't go in a foreign city is always helpful, perhaps more so in South America. Besides, finding this sort of stuff out is kinda fun as well

Another perspective on the luggage wrapping thing -- personally I've never done it, and I don't think I'll be bothering any time soon. That being said, absolutely use luggage locks and be prepared to walk away and leave the bag on the carousel if it's been tampered with.

 

[bagman]

Thanks guys for all your advice.

Certainly doing her own research ( apart from being interesting ) will open her eyes to the potential dangers.

Appreciated and please keep them rolling in

cheers

 

[james4321]

A comment on notzac's comment re wrapping. It's the wrapping that allows you to see if its been tampered with - if you only use locks your bag can be opened through the zip teeth, then rezipped and you will never know that it has been interfered with. You're right though about leaving it on the carousel - but you have to know first that it has been interfered with .... thats the big point about wrapping, if the plastic has a hole in it or is ripped then its been interfered with. Thats the only way you are going to know.

 

[AussieTim]

This will be her first major overseas trip by herself. I must confess that I am not exactly enamoured with the idea.....why she couldn't have chosen a trip to Europe, the UK or the US I don’t know.

My logical mind tells me that travelling anywhere in the world can be dangerous, that it's all relative. Even tourists in Sydney can be mugged and murdered.

I have travelled a lot in Central and South America, overall it is quite safe. Does either your daughter of her friend speak any Spanish? It would be good before going to at least learn some of the basics.

At all times she should be aware of her surroundings, the associated risks and have a plan of what to do in a bad situation. (i.e. give up the money).
Also, to make sure that she always goes out with her friend, not alone.

She will love it, but make sure that she has done her research before going.

 

[NM]

... if you only use locks your bag can be opened through the zip teeth, then rezipped and you will never know that it has been interfered with.

not if you lock the zipper handles to a fixed item like the suitcase handle . Its a simple exercise and I expect obvious enough to someone intent on opening a suit case that they will skip mine and chose an easier target.

If they can't move the zipper then they can't re-zip it closed. If they can see this then they will chose the next bag and leave mine alone. And if they cut the mechanism that is locking the zipper to a fixed point in the case then its obvious when the bag is collected that someone has been inside.

 

[ArseneV]

It's the wrapping that allows you to see if its been tampered with - if you only use locks your bag can be opened through the zip teeth, then rezipped and you will never know that it has been interfered with.

Sorry, have you ever tried this? I haven't but I am imagining that it would be a very labourious task. I don't buy it and I don't buy into this wrapping nonsense. If someone wants to steal your bag, they'll steal it and this idea that there are people planting drugs into peoples luggage is over-hyped and doesn't happen as much as people think.

Bagman - I feel there is nothing to be concerned about. Of all the petty crimes that potentially could occur in S.A, they have a higher chance (not gospel) of occurring in places like Barcelona or Amsterdam.
My friends and I have more stories involving incidents taking place in Europe than S.A.
So general advice, be careful, have fun, smile, talk to travellers about places to go (and avoid) and maybe do a tour to start things off if she's feeling uncomfortable.

 

[Nat the cat]

I have a friend who is from Argentina and I will ask her advice, but from memory there are a few cites that you should just stay out of.As someone mentioned learn Spanish, it will endear you to the locals and make life easy. My understanding is most of the kidnappings (i.e. Bogata) are of rich locals or ex-pates, so a back packer isn't worth the trouble.

 

[BAM1748]

Hmm, I wouldn't be letting my daughter head off there. Having spent time in Peru on business I can say gringos are a target of every con artist in the place. (not saying everyone there is a con artist)

If she must go, have a schedule with place names, make sure she colours her hair black or brown if she is blond.

Be prepared to be ripped off (either via a con or straight "give us you money and we'll let you go" at least once). If she is determined to go then go, take care but remember world wide economic downturn means some people have nothing to loose by being nasty.

I'm a 40 something ugly bloke and was targeted. And most importantly, as someone pointed out, never go out with out her friend and never go back to some blokes house, never ever.

One trip to the continent I made was to "rescue" a fellow employee.

Bagman, if you are in Sydney PM me, I'd be happy to fill in a few more details and if you bring your daughter with you she can hear the pitfalls first hand.

As for my daughter, I've told her first trip will be to somewhere I suggest and I've offered to pay her and her friends airfares as incentive, so at least they have the o/s experience in the first world before heading off somewhere else.

Despite the talk here of airports, even once when I arrived in a coup de ta the airport security was extremely tight and protected passengers with very heavily armed men right to the carpark exit, then you were on your own though.

Matt

 

[Nat the cat]

Ok, I've spoken to my friend who spent half a year in South America, she kindly wrote me these tips!:1. Learn some Spanish - the basics are fine but more importantly, know the 'feel' of the conversation. Since south americans are so expressive, they are easy to 'read', if one is being snaky they usually cant help but show it. and contrary to popular belief they are giving, beautiful people with strong sense of family, comraderie and friendship. Theyll help when they can!2. Nevermind the men - there will be the young guys around 'trying it on' - to Aussies its a pick up, or being sleazy, but its normal social behaviour there...and tell your daughter to remember if a guys putting moves on her he is probably doing it to every girl that walks by that day! tell her not to be flattered....its all normal and everyday there. don't fall for it, just be witty or coy and just keep on walkin'! they are as respectful as they are cheesy! 3. Argentina, Chile and Brazil have more flamboyant cultures, the people are more than happy to come up and talk, make friends etc....all great fun but remember the guys will be more up front too. Uruguay, Peru, etc have quieter, more laid back cultures - its nice to jump from one country to another to break it up and experience different cultures.4. Enjoy the food, enjoy the late nights and enjoy the stunning glaciers, mountains, beaches, vineyards, rivers and jungles! South America has as many gorgeous places as Australia.... 5. Find LOTS of friends from the hostels before you head out to nightclubs. Don't go out alone, you wouldn't here in Australia either! LOL- so here you go..... hope that helps! (Thanks Tina for the tips!)

 

[ArseneV]

make sure she colours her hair black or brown if she is blond.

You're joking right? They'll still sport her a mile away.

 

[BAM1748]

Oh, and would suggest don't bother with Columbia, our corporate travel insurance covers us for travel to Iraq but not Columbia. Unlucky, but most of my Central/South American travel has been to the not so nice parts.

Don't get me wrong, there are very nice places and people where there will be no problems and if you said Chile and Agentina where the two places being visited I'd say go for it, but the northern half of the continent is different.

One Peruvian business associate described Lima as the Calcutta of the Americas.

 

[bagman]

Thank you all very much for your input and advice.

After reading these posts my daughter has decided to try a less "dangerous" holiday for her first solo journey and leave South America for another day.

She appreciates that the world is a dangerous place no matter where you travel. It's all a matter of degrees.

Thank you all again and I will certainly reiterate the advice given by BAM1748 and Nat the Cat.

cheers

 

[lovetravellingoz]

well despite the change in choice of destination I would still offer the following;

* Travel is food for the soul....anda great teacher. Be willin to learn.
* Most places can be visited..it is just that in some places a lot more care is required....and in some countries you might do some things that in other countries may be too risky too.
*Knowledge is king. Always read up in advance about any country you visit for social mores and habits...as well as common traps and rip offs. Lonely Planets online ThornTree Forum is a great source of other traveelers experiences.
* No matter which country you are in....young women should only go out to clubs and pubs with some other friends...and particularly in strange lands. Watch for dtrink spiking...and remember the most common spike is nota drup but just extra alcahol.

 

[ArseneV]

Oh, and would suggest don't bother with Columbia, our corporate travel insurance covers us for travel to Iraq but not Columbia. Unlucky, but most of my Central/South American travel has been to the not so nice parts.

One Peruvian business associate described Lima as the Calcutta of the Americas.

I find this hard to believe. Colombia has become a lot safer in recent years.

The Kolkata of the Americas? What does that even mean? Has your Peruvian business associate even been to Kolktata?