Will my daughter be safe traveling alone in Europe?
Apr 22, 2017, 6:21 am
#61
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I had a similar encounter in Rome. The day after we arrived I discovered that one of the medications I had packed had only 1 tablet left in the bottle. I took it to a local pharmacy and the pharmacist looked at the label, which listed the generic name, and I got a refill for about 20% of the U.S. price.
The odd thing about this case was that I was sure the bottle was almost full when I packed it. But 3 TSA agents had a really good time unpacking all our carry-ons, so who knows?
The odd thing about this case was that I was sure the bottle was almost full when I packed it. But 3 TSA agents had a really good time unpacking all our carry-ons, so who knows?
When we got to the hotel in Germany, and it was time to take my pills, I realized I had three pills left, and I was going to be in serious trouble soon. We managed to get the issue resolved fairly quickly (by going to a doctor's office next to a drugstore, explaining the situation, and getting a prescription, which we then got filled at the pharmacy, all of which cost next to nothing -- I don't remember the exact price, but I remember being shocked at how inexpensive it all was). I have no idea if this was the best, brightest doctor in the world, but problem solved.
Apr 22, 2017, 7:01 am
#62
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To get back to the diarrhea meds: For trips to Europe, I would honestly leave them at home. Never had any issue with that. Tap water is usually of superior quality than tap water in the US. You could get diarrhea from food, but I wager that if that happens to you in Europe, you were probably looking to get trouble.
Apr 22, 2017, 8:31 am
#63
Join Date: May 2016
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Realistically the worst thing that could happen is she gets her phone/wallet stolen while she is not paying attention.
Just don't get too drunk, watch your drinks around strangers, and don't walk alone at 2 am and you will avoid 99% of potential issues in most places around the globe. Most people are decent humans with a few random bad apples scattered about.
Also, google translate now allows one to download language packs for offline translation purposes (voice translation too)! So while imperfect, communication is often a lot easier than in yesteryear
Just don't get too drunk, watch your drinks around strangers, and don't walk alone at 2 am and you will avoid 99% of potential issues in most places around the globe. Most people are decent humans with a few random bad apples scattered about.
Also, google translate now allows one to download language packs for offline translation purposes (voice translation too)! So while imperfect, communication is often a lot easier than in yesteryear
Last edited by Cityflyer10; Apr 22, 2017 at 8:42 am
Apr 23, 2017, 12:36 am
#64
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A few tips for a woman's first trip to Europe. T-Mobile is the best international cell phone service because of low rate plans including data, eliminating the need for buying sim cards in every country. From sources like Tripadvisor forums, plan ahead the best way to get to the hotel upon arrival and program apps or phone numbers of taxi services and your hotels into the phone. Have addresses in written form to show your cabbie. Get familiar with using Google maps for walking directions. Keep money, credit cards and passport on your person in a zipped pocket or a crossbody bag worn in front and do not hang it on a chair back when sitting down. Keep your laptop bag with you on planes and trains, not stored overhead. Hide an emergency credit card, $100 cash and a copy of the passport under the lining of the carry on bag, and when leaving the hotel room, zip it up and leave some clothes piled on top. Put together a tiny medical kit with a few capsules of antibiotic and bubble packets for colds, diarrhea, tiny antiobiotic cream, a few bandaids, aspirin, and most importantly dry Pedialyte packets for dehydration in case of food poisoning. All this stuff is easily available to buy, but it is a hassle to go get it when you feel bad. Pack a plastic wedge door stopper for your hotel room door and a small LED flashlight. Do not take trains that arrive late at night, but if you must, take a taxi to your hotel and have some food in your bag so you don't have to go out looking for someplace that is open.
Apr 23, 2017, 1:50 am
#65
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Well for some people Europe apparently resembles Mogadishu or Baghdad even though, statistically, Western Europe is overall safer than most US cities.
Apr 23, 2017, 1:56 am
#66
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More useful would be mosquito repellant in disposable toilette form. Easy to carry. Nice to have around the canals and rivers, or even if one plans to sit inn outdoor cafes in the evening.
Apr 23, 2017, 4:36 am
#67
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Apr 23, 2017, 4:40 am
#68
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Here are a few warnings for Europe
- you won't get a bucket of ice in each and every drink you order
- the a/c probably won't cool your room to Arctic temperatures
- the beer will be beer and not recycled ...
- in AMS (and some other places) people will speak better English than many Americans do
- public transportation actually works
- no TSA
Did I miss anything important?
- you won't get a bucket of ice in each and every drink you order
- the a/c probably won't cool your room to Arctic temperatures
- the beer will be beer and not recycled ...
- in AMS (and some other places) people will speak better English than many Americans do
- public transportation actually works
- no TSA
Did I miss anything important?
Apr 23, 2017, 5:43 am
#69
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- you won't get a bucket of ice in each and every drink you order
- the a/c probably won't cool your room to Arctic temperatures*
- the beer will be beer and not recycled ...**
- in AMS (and some other places) people will speak better English than many Americans do***
- public transportation actually works****
- no TSA
- the a/c probably won't cool your room to Arctic temperatures*
- the beer will be beer and not recycled ...**
- in AMS (and some other places) people will speak better English than many Americans do***
- public transportation actually works****
- no TSA
* - There might not even be air conditioning.
** - Depends on where you go. Some Bavarians consider Kölsch to be recycled .... served in a test glass (and admittedly, they aren't wrong about that)
*** - YMMV.
**** - YMMV. Especially in France with the many strikes and the SNCF being notoriously know for delays. But even then, PT is a lot better than the PT in the US.
Apr 23, 2017, 6:15 am
#70
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Yes. Coke tastes better here because in Europe real sugar is used, rather than high fructose corn syrup.
LMAO. 
Apr 23, 2017, 7:25 am
#71
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Oh, for Pete's sake . . .
In the US, OTC usually* means sold, not only without prescription, but without having to consult the pharmacist -- on racks in the drugstore or in the supermarket. This is often different in Europe. Not better, not worse. Just different. If you roll your eyes at acknowledging difference when you travel, then, well . . .
*There are exceptions, of course. In the US, Sudafed, sold without a prescription, is only found behind the pharmacist's counter, and requires ID.
In the US, OTC usually* means sold, not only without prescription, but without having to consult the pharmacist -- on racks in the drugstore or in the supermarket. This is often different in Europe. Not better, not worse. Just different. If you roll your eyes at acknowledging difference when you travel, then, well . . .
*There are exceptions, of course. In the US, Sudafed, sold without a prescription, is only found behind the pharmacist's counter, and requires ID.
Apr 23, 2017, 8:22 am
#72
Join Date: Jun 2010
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Some of us like to wing it and make fun, and some of us like to be prepared. More often I help out somebody who has winged it than need anything myself.
Apr 23, 2017, 8:53 am
#73
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And even if you "wing it", I wager that you'll be fine in 999/1000 cases.
Edit: Actually, I think that you would have to take more precautions traveling parts of the US than most parts of Europe. In Western Europe, you will almost certainly find a petrol station with a little shop every 30 miles. The same can't be said about many parts of the US, where you have to be pay much more attention to how much gas you have and where carrying a couple of water bottles is never a bad idea.
Apr 23, 2017, 9:18 am
#74
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To be honest, your version of traveling Europe doesn't sound fun. We are not talking about traveling the Atacama Desert. BTW, taking precautions isn't black (having 5 lbs of meds, etc.) and white ("winging it"). To Europe, I would take similar precautions as in US daily life.
And even if you "wing it", I wager that you'll be fine in 999/1000 cases.
And even if you "wing it", I wager that you'll be fine in 999/1000 cases.
Apr 23, 2017, 11:37 am
#75
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I travel to Europe every week. I don't take any of the things you consider necessary and I've never taken any of the 'first-time-tourist' things you describe. I have no idea how someone would even thing of dehydration remedies? 
Do you carry this 911-kit with you every day at home?
Do you carry this 911-kit with you every day at home?