Thanks Native Pepper. It seems to be the general consensus, but it's good to hear it again. The first time will probably be the scariest, but I'm now armed with a wealth of knowledge that I didn't have before, so I'm sure I'll be fine. I never thought about towns like that before. I always thought they'd be the safest because of the volume of people around me, but it just goes to show. Again, another learning curve. Tag-alongs sound good, for the first few forays at least, and I'm hoping a couple of those will be with family. Thank you again for your reassurance and advice.
native pepper said
09:17 AM May 19, 2014
If you approach your travelling with what could be called rational logic, you will be fine. Look at the factual reality of the situation, rather than the emotional and illogical one. More than 99% of crimes occur in populated area's, home invasions, assaults, robberies, abuse, extremely rare in the bush, yet caravan parks and close to big town camping are notorious for stealing, disputes and material damage to your property. You are thousands of times safer well away from populated area's, especially if you are well off the main roads.
A good trick when travelling to an area, is to always checks out the local paper and community news on the net. Then you can get a good idea of what the place and people are like, 99.9% of small communities are excellent people to be around. There are a few who are not and mostly you soon find that out before you get there from feedback and local news and events, most area's have websites depicting the local community events and services. You'll also find people are more helpful in smaller towns and communities, are happy to see you, so go out of their way to make you welcome.
To give you an example, there is a small town in Victoria well off the beaten track and is struggling. We decided one day to make a detour and check it out, when we pulled up and went into the local pub, they they were very excited thinking a tour bus had arrived, until we told them it was just us 3. After a couple of drinks and some great chats with locals, we asked if there was anywhere we could park over night as we wanted to continue to enjoy ourselves. The staff didn't have a clue, so rang someone and a few minutes later a lady came into the pub and was directed to us. After a couple of minutes chat, she gave us a key and told us we could park at their tennis club and for $10 could have power, showers and access to the kitchen, which was huge. We ended up staying a week, never used the kitchen, played come music in the pub, did odd jobs for locals who couldn't get trades people and now we go there every year about the same time, earn some money and have a ball.
You will find this is the norm in most small communities and that's where we spend all our time, never on main roads or big towns. As soon as we get out of Melbourne, we get off the highways and begin to really live. Off course there is sometimes a weirdo or two in small places, but they are known and you always get told to keep your eye on them. It will take you about 1 month to relax and settle into your travelling, remember this is a new life, embrace, enjoy and be aware. Then your life will be the best you've ever had, constantly changing nicely.
KFT said
09:25 AM May 19, 2014
Native Pepper very well said(written) I commend you.
wonderful story about the small town welcome. Much as we have found in small town Australia they are much nicer places to be than many of our cities.
thanks for a good read
frank
johnq said
01:02 AM May 21, 2014
Happywanderer wrote:
I hope John is not frightening you too much Romy. I have been travelling solo for 3 years and never been in a situation of fear or attack anywhere. If you thought like that you would never get out the front gate.
Hi HW,
Where did I say anything to cause you to say that? I wonder how you read that into what I wrote.
It is straightforward. I was not commenting on the likelihood of an offence being committed. So there was no intent nor prospect of creating fear.
My suggestion for women to carry a metal styling comb was in response to other remarks about atomiser sprays. A metal styling comb is a more practical and reliable option.
I also endeavored to answer a query about self defence.
I'd be the last person to put people off travel. There should be more of it.
Romy5152 said
06:10 PM May 21, 2014
Well John, I think HW and I must think alike, because you did scare and put me off a little, as I stated before. I quote part of one of your postings to me:
"So, no I am not encouraging you to use a metal comb as a 'dagger' and nor should you be saying that lest if you ever are forced to defend yourself your words (intent) could come back to haunt you."
As I also said, I know you mean/meant well, but interpretation/reactions within readers can vary greatly. John, you weren't the only one - other people have posted similar things, but as I said then, it's scary to read, but necessary to know. It put me off momentarily, but not completely. I still intend to go travelling.
I have no wish for anyone to comment on this any further, as I don't want to make an issue out of it, and because I know people are just trying to be helpful and I appreciate it. Let's just leave it at that.
johnq said
10:30 AM May 22, 2014
Romy5152,
Thank you for your explanation.
To repeat however, other posters cannot be responsible for any (mis)interpretation of what they offered, particularly when taken out of context.
If feelings come into it, I would prefer not to walk into rhetorical bear traps too. Take from the table what you want, but don't take liberties with those who risk a contribution to the table of ideas. There is nothing in anything that I contributed that could be taken as creating fear or putting others off travel.
Romy5152 said
12:09 PM May 22, 2014
johnq wrote:
Romy5152,
Thank you for your explanation.
To repeat however, other posters cannot be responsible for any (mis)interpretation of what they offered, particularly when taken out of context.
If feelings come into it, I would prefer not to walk into rhetorical bear traps too. Take from the table what you want, but don't take liberties with those who risk a contribution to the table of ideas. There is nothing in anything that I contributed that could be taken as creating fear or putting others off travel.
Liberties? Responsibility? No-one 'took liberties' nor 'blamed' anyone, nor put 'responsibility' onto anyone for my opinion, John. I simply said your posting scared me a little, and it did, but that was my own personal interpretation and opinion - to which I am entitled. I, in no way, denigrated you, your opinion, or anyone else. If that's how you took it, then that's your interpretation. Your last sentence is also your personal opinion, to which you are entitled. It's just not mine. I think agreeing to disagree is the best solution to put this topic to bed.
Thanks Native Pepper. It seems to be the general consensus, but it's good to hear it again. The first time will probably be the scariest, but I'm now armed with a wealth of knowledge that I didn't have before, so I'm sure I'll be fine. I never thought about towns like that before. I always thought they'd be the safest because of the volume of people around me, but it just goes to show. Again, another learning curve. Tag-alongs sound good, for the first few forays at least, and I'm hoping a couple of those will be with family. Thank you again for your reassurance and advice.
A good trick when travelling to an area, is to always checks out the local paper and community news on the net. Then you can get a good idea of what the place and people are like, 99.9% of small communities are excellent people to be around. There are a few who are not and mostly you soon find that out before you get there from feedback and local news and events, most area's have websites depicting the local community events and services. You'll also find people are more helpful in smaller towns and communities, are happy to see you, so go out of their way to make you welcome.
To give you an example, there is a small town in Victoria well off the beaten track and is struggling. We decided one day to make a detour and check it out, when we pulled up and went into the local pub, they they were very excited thinking a tour bus had arrived, until we told them it was just us 3. After a couple of drinks and some great chats with locals, we asked if there was anywhere we could park over night as we wanted to continue to enjoy ourselves. The staff didn't have a clue, so rang someone and a few minutes later a lady came into the pub and was directed to us. After a couple of minutes chat, she gave us a key and told us we could park at their tennis club and for $10 could have power, showers and access to the kitchen, which was huge. We ended up staying a week, never used the kitchen, played come music in the pub, did odd jobs for locals who couldn't get trades people and now we go there every year about the same time, earn some money and have a ball.
You will find this is the norm in most small communities and that's where we spend all our time, never on main roads or big towns. As soon as we get out of Melbourne, we get off the highways and begin to really live. Off course there is sometimes a weirdo or two in small places, but they are known and you always get told to keep your eye on them. It will take you about 1 month to relax and settle into your travelling, remember this is a new life, embrace, enjoy and be aware. Then your life will be the best you've ever had, constantly changing nicely.
wonderful story about the small town welcome. Much as we have found in small town Australia they are much nicer places to be than many of our cities.
thanks for a good read
frank
Hi HW,
Where did I say anything to cause you to say that? I wonder how you read that into what I wrote.
It is straightforward. I was not commenting on the likelihood of an offence being committed. So there was no intent nor prospect of creating fear.
My suggestion for women to carry a metal styling comb was in response to other remarks about atomiser sprays. A metal styling comb is a more practical and reliable option.
I also endeavored to answer a query about self defence.
I'd be the last person to put people off travel. There should be more of it.
Well John, I think HW and I must think alike, because you did scare and put me off a little, as I stated before. I quote part of one of your postings to me:
"So, no I am not encouraging you to use a metal comb as a 'dagger' and nor should you be saying that lest if you ever are forced to defend yourself your words (intent) could come back to haunt you."
As I also said, I know you mean/meant well, but interpretation/reactions within readers can vary greatly. John, you weren't the only one - other people have posted similar things, but as I said then, it's scary to read, but necessary to know. It put me off momentarily, but not completely. I still intend to go travelling.
I have no wish for anyone to comment on this any further, as I don't want to make an issue out of it, and because I know people are just trying to be helpful and I appreciate it. Let's just leave it at that.
Thank you for your explanation.
To repeat however, other posters cannot be responsible for any (mis)interpretation of what they offered, particularly when taken out of context.
If feelings come into it, I would prefer not to walk into rhetorical bear traps too. Take from the table what you want, but don't take liberties with those who risk a contribution to the table of ideas. There is nothing in anything that I contributed that could be taken as creating fear or putting others off travel.
Liberties? Responsibility? No-one 'took liberties' nor 'blamed' anyone, nor put 'responsibility' onto anyone for my opinion, John. I simply said your posting scared me a little, and it did, but that was my own personal interpretation and opinion - to which I am entitled. I, in no way, denigrated you, your opinion, or anyone else. If that's how you took it, then that's your interpretation. Your last sentence is also your personal opinion, to which you are entitled. It's just not mine. I think agreeing to disagree is the best solution to put this topic to bed.