I am scared to death - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

augentier · 03-28-2009, 02:41 PM

So my trip is planned..kinda. I'll be landing in Managua on May 14th and leaving from Panama City on June 23rd. I'm going alone and I've never travelled alone. I am scared shitless!

If any of you are going to be in Nicaragua, Costa Rica, or Panama within that time period please let me know! I would love to meet up with people as much as I can..I'm really kinda wingin it. I really just want to relax, go out, have fun, surf, swim, hike a bit, explore, but I'm up for anything.

I think once May 14th rolls around I will be having a major anxiety attack

augentier · 03-28-2009, 02:43 PM

I just read a previous post of mine saying I leave the 25th of June..holy shit, I need to find my ticket

**simply_angelic** · 03-28-2009, 03:58 PM

Haha good luck, you'll be fine and have a blast!

double.exposed · 03-28-2009, 06:39 PM

Haha, I know how you feel with the anxiety attack!

I bought my ticket a little bit ago, have yet to tell my mom, and am just now realizing the actual implications of having the nonrefundable ticket, and it's making me squeal with joy and have a small heart attack at the same time.

**marc873** · 03-28-2009, 07:18 PM

I hope you 2 have a blast on your trips

**worldwidemike** · 03-29-2009, 08:09 AM

I think the best way to put yourself at ease is to read other people's travelogs and blogs. Once you see that they are ordinary folks like you, and how simple it was for them, you'll have fewer anxieties. Not that they will completely go away. I've been to more than 70 countries, and I still get "butterflies in the stomach" sometimes before a trip!

As far as your chosen area, one of Travelpunk's finest is there right now:
Diorama's Central America blog: Where's Jilly? - GetJealous.com Travel Blogs

I know freespiritz, jengt123 and omisan have all also been there, and have travel accounts posted somewhere...

worldwidemike

augentier · 03-29-2009, 10:54 AM

Oh my god! That girl's blog's latest entry talks about her getting MUGGED in the same town Im staying in in NIcaragua..San Juan Del Sur

I heard a lot of stories about this happening there,though..so i already expect the possibility there..

**Canadian Bacon** · 03-29-2009, 12:01 PM

Just remember to be situationally aware, and you will be fine. Don't get too trashed when you're off by yourself. I'm sure you're gonna have a blast!

**maracle** · 03-29-2009, 09:49 PM

Wow...I hadn't been reading Jill's blog...sounds like a shitty day.

Anyway augentier, you're going to have a blast!

**worldwidemike** · 04-02-2009, 03:20 AM

Keep reading...she gets her camera back, the police catch the mugger, and she's happy again in El Salvador. If you'd like, I can give you her e-mail, so you can talk to her directly...

worldwidemike

**Diorama** · 04-02-2009, 11:00 AM

haha wow I guess I am totally needed in this post!! I´m am the wheres jilly chica by the way!! Don´t worry! Seriously. yah I was mugged and yah it was shitty but it hasn´t broken my spirit and it shouldn´t scare you at all!

There are tons of scary stories travelling around Central America but it can happen anywhere and thats what you have to remember. Lots of it is luck and keeping your wits about you...It is definately daunting travelling to any country for the first time solo. Remember that you will eventually find your groove and meet tons of ppl! If you have any questions then please don´t hesitate to ask!

augentier · 04-02-2009, 07:06 PM

Awesome, you found this! My parents and everyone else around me are making me so nervous. They are absolutely shocked when I say im going there alone. "OH MY GOD..that is NOT a good idea!" etc etc. freaking me out.

my main concerns are crossing the borders, especially between nicaragua and costa rica. also arriving in managua..im arriving at noon and my grandma (who lived in san juan for a while) gave me the number for a taxi driver that she totally trusts so he can drive me to san juan del sur..

but im just scared of people targeting me as a tourist when they see me walking around with a backpack. do you get a lot of attention? are you supposed to avoid eye contact/smiling at people you see on the street? i come from a small town so this is 2nd nature for me to do that to people i walk by. bad idea?

UGH..i have so many worries lol, this is just the beginning..

**maracle** · 04-03-2009, 07:57 AM

Quote:

are you supposed to avoid eye contact/smiling at people you see on the street?

No way....Everywhere I've been in South America it's common for strangers to acknowledge each other by saying Buenos dias/tardes/noches when you're passing each other on the street. I assume it's the same in central america. Of course it's less common in the cities, since you're always walking past someone. But people are friendly, and people often strike up conversations on busses, etc.

Quote:

Awesome, you found this! My parents and everyone else around me are making me so nervous. They are absolutely shocked when I say im going there alone. "OH MY GOD..that is NOT a good idea!" etc etc. freaking me out.

Have you seen Joe's "You Are All Weird" thread yet? well congrats, you're weird!

**worldwidemike** · 04-03-2009, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by augentier

im arriving at noon and my grandma (who lived in san juan for a while) gave me the number for a taxi driver that she totally trusts so he can drive me to san juan del sur.

Jill - what do you recommend? I know you took public transport constantly over there...

worldwidemike

**Diorama** · 04-03-2009, 10:47 AM

Heya,

Well of course you get tons of attention on the street. Some of it is good and some bad. I take it your a girl right? Well then you will get hissed at and told your beautiful everyday yadda yadda. I tend to ignore them and not make eye contact. But if I feel like they are doing it in a friendly manner then I will play back. They say ´hi babyyyy´too me and I´ll say ´hi baby´ to them..They think its hilarious. But Maracle is right. Everyone (mostly smaller towns) greets eachother with a buenos.

As for getting around. I mostly have used Chicken buses which are cheap and heck very entertaining. If you are wanting to get from Managua to san jose I would highly recommend Tica Bus. Its a long distance coach line. They take care of the border crossing. Along with the bus driver they have a helper on board and he collects all the passports and money and processes them with the boarder guards. Very easy and the buses are nice! Not sure how much it is to go to san jose but they have a website. The area that tica bus is located at in managua is not the best so stick to one of the hostels that are on the same block with the station. And take taxi´s everywhere.

Anyhoo just remember that you wont be alone for very long! In no time you will have plenty of travel buds. Life is about challenging yourself. If you never feel scared or apprehensive then it´s kind of boring right? Just go with the flow and you will be fine.

augentier · 04-03-2009, 11:24 AM

Does it cost money to cross the borders? When you went to the beach where did you stash your money/passport/camera/other valuable things? I'm assuming hostels have lockers...they better.

**maracle** · 04-05-2009, 08:40 AM

Should be free, I don't think any countries in CA require a visa for US citizens. Hostels generally have lockers but you need to provide your own padlock.

**Diorama** · 04-05-2009, 04:03 PM

Yeah you have to pay to cross the borders.....Its usually a couple bucks. As for when your on the beach ,leave your valuables at the hostels. Either lock up your backpack or use the locker if they have one.