Well, I might possibly go with my sister. I'll be 17, and she'll be 15. Tell me, I've traveled to Europe before and I was never harassed or anything of that sort, but both times I went, it was with a program and I was with a group. Are there any places I should avoid? Or just anything I should know? I understand that Africans and East Indians are considered to be second class in some places. Will this pose a problem?
Posted by
in a train schedule...
267 posts
I wondered around Paris and Provence alone. I'm 21 years old and had never been to Europe beforehand. When I studied abroad in Aix, I wasn't truly alone, but I often visited other cities by myself. I spent 2 and a half weeks in Paris by myself, too. I wouldn't really give females of color much different advice from what I would tell anyone - 1) be smart 2) if it looks/feels shady, GET OUT.
I can only speak for Paris and Provence, but from my experience, Frenchmen are more comfortable with physical contact. Most of the time, it's just their way of being nice, but if it makes you uncomfortable, let the guy know and move away. I won't tell you to avoid any specific places other than spots that make you feel unsafe.
Hope that helps. Enjoy your trip!
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9363 posts
I think your young ages might prove a bigger problem than your race. Being with a group is a lot different than traveling independently. Both of you will be minors -- what if there is a medical emergency or something of the sort? Would you know how to get help? Are your parents willing to let you have a credit card? What if you run out of money or lose your passport? You might want to run this past your parents to see what they think about it.
Posted by
OP
Los Angeles, CA, United States
3 posts
Thank you! Yes, I am aware of safety issues, and I am incredibly cautious.
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9099 posts
From what I have heard, the German government advises tourists of color to not travel alone in Eastern half of Germany (the former communist East Germany). There have been problems with skin-head type groups physically attacking minorities. Last summer when I was traveling through Germany for the World Cup, I was staying in a hotel that had a lot of Ghanaian soccer fans. They were constantly hanging out in the hallways/lobby and not exploring the city. I asked them why they wouldn't leave the hotel and the told me there some "racial" problems in in some of the other cities they had visited, and they were afraid to go out even in groups. Because of the language barrier I couldn't get into detail about it. If you will be traveling through Eastern Europe, you may want to check the State Dept web site to see if there are any warning the pertain to your situation. You shouldn't have any problems in Western Europe/Scandanavia. Places like the UK, France, Holland, Protugal, and even Sweeden have large African/Caribbean communites.