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When Travel Becomes Dangerous
When it comes to traveling, most people think about adventure, relaxation, and exciting new experiences. However, it’s important to acknowledge the blood-curdling horrors that can arise while exploring new places. Oh yes, all the Hall of Fame travelers understand this truth. With that being said, I will henceforth share some personal experiences of dangerous and dark moments I’ve encountered while traveling alone.
These scary stories while traveling highlight the importance of taking precautions and being prepared. Or better yet, just darn lucky. Spontaneity is not always a bad thing but, as these stories show, it can lead one down darker paths if they’re not careful. My experiences have taught me that the worst can just as much from bad luck and timing. However, undoubtedly having security helps. Before we dive into those dark truths, let’s see how to be ready for anything.
Things to do to stay safe while traveling
When it comes to traveling solo, there are several important things to keep in mind to ensure your safety. Being in a foreign place naturally leaves you vulnerable, so it’s crucial to keep a clear head and be aware of your surroundings. It’s important to exercise caution when dating or trusting strangers while traveling. It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of meeting new people, but remember that not everyone may have good intentions. Always trust your instincts and take your time getting to know someone before placing too much trust in them.
Unfortunately, there are individuals out there who may try to take advantage of unsuspecting travelers. By keeping an eye on your compatriots at all times you can see what’s coming. Keep an eye on belongings when strangers are involved as well. Safety in numbers is another important aspect of staying safe while traveling. Whenever possible, try to go out in a group or at least with one other person you meet along the way. This not only provides a sense of security but also decreases the chances of becoming a target for opportunistic criminals.
By following these tips and staying vigilant, you can significantly enhance your safety while traveling solo. Remember, scary stories while traveling can happen to anyone, but with proper precautions, you can minimize the risks and enjoy your adventures to the fullest. That being said, I have reduced my risks from time to time, let’s see where that left me…
My Experiences
Getting robbed in Berlin
During my existence, I have encountered my fair share of scary stories while traveling, but one particular incident stands out in my memory – the time I got robbed in Berlin. It was a bright, sunny morning, and I found myself at the iconic Brandenburg Gate, marveling at its grandeur. Little did I know that this peaceful moment would soon turn into a nightmare.
I took some customary pictures at the legendary landmark. When I was all out of cringe-worthy poses, I strolled into the lush Tiergarten Park. As I walked, a young woman approached me, asking for a donation to support the deaf community. Moved by her plea, I reached into my pocket and handed her six euros. In that split second, everything changed. Out of nowhere, I was surrounded by a swarm of at least thirty women, all clamoring for my attention.
Confusion filled the air as the women closed in on me, their outstretched hands becoming a maze of deception. It was chaos, full of shrieks and screams in languages I had no hope of understanding. I searched for a way out, unable to pay all the women. I raised my hands and apologized my way out. Yet, I learned, amidst the chaos, they skillfully snatched 200 euros from my wallet. It happened so quickly, that I barely had time to react. In fact, I didn’t even realize it until about twenty minutes later as I checked my wallet. In the meantime, the women disappeared into the dark thicket of the trees.
I realized how naive I had been to trust so easily. I returned later to my aunt, disheartened to explain I’d be coming home 200 euros shorter. The only thing that redeemed it is that the 200 euros that was stolen was a gift from my grandmother I’d received days before. Had it been anything else, it would have hampered my continuous travel plans. Because of that, it was less money but only less money that was once more. Get me? I was shaken but I lived with it. I wouldn’t fall for tricks like that again, I said.
Getting robbed in Fes
Another one of the scariest stories while traveling that I experienced was when I got robbed in Fes, Morocco. It was a sunny afternoon, and I decided to venture off the main tourist streets and explore the less crowded parts of the city. As I wandered through the labyrinthine alleyways, I came across a friendly-looking local man who struck up a conversation with me. First mistake.
He seemed knowledgeable about the city and offered to show me around the historic old streets of Fes’ Medina. Naively, I agreed, thinking it would be a great way to immerse myself in the local culture. After all, who was I to deny this hospitality being shown my way. He led me through narrow passages, pointing out hidden gems and sharing intriguing stories along the way. It went on for good time. I got great pics with the city backdrop, and access to sights I would’ve never found on my own.
However, my excitement eventually turned to fear when the man and his friend suddenly cornered me in a deserted dead end. I don’t even know where the friend came from. It was like he just manifested out of the air with the sole purpose of intimidating ya boi. They demanded that I pay them a hefty price for the tour I never asked for, threatening me with violence if I refused. I tried to fight it, knowing I had no idea where I was and no clue how far these two would be willing to take it. Feeling trapped and scared, I reluctantly handed over $120, hoping it would be enough to make them release me.
Thankfully, it was. They pointed me in the direction of the main streets. I managed to escape, but this terrifying encounter left me shaken and disillusioned. It was a harsh lesson about the risks of naivety and trusting strangers in unfamiliar surroundings. You can always get city tours but book them yourself, don’t just let random people impose them on you. That’s my lesson from this experience. I hope you take it in and remember.
A Night High with a Nudist
Let me take you back to another spine-chilling experience I had. This time it was while exploring Montreal alone. It was a night that pushed me to confront my fears head-on. In search of an adventure, I decided to try Couchsurfing to find a home. I connected with a friendly host, who happened to be a nudist. Although apprehensive, I fought my biases and agreed to stay with him. I feared that I was too judgmental, too close-minded. Maybe nudists were alright. Little did I know, this decision would lead me down a path of terror.
Upon arrival, my host greeted me with a bunch of weed, which we decided to indulge in. He was clothed but assured me the both of us would have to get naked before the night ended. What could I say? He had just offered his home to me? And, would it really be that bad? He said it would be the most liberating thing I’d ever do. As we played Super Smash Bros, a twisted game unfolded – the loser of each match had to remove an article of clothing. The combination of the weed and the increasingly revealing game sent my paranoia levels skyrocketing.
As the game progressed, the writing was on the wall. He lost on purpose and got naked quick. As for me, it was Canada in January, so it would take a while for me to be rid of all my layers. However, I knew what he wanted so I cut to the chase. I got naked too. At that point, the weed took over. I shook tremendously and decided I needed to go to sleep at once. He set up a bed on the living room couch so I was ready to find my place there. However, with the both of us became completely naked, my host began insisting that I sleep in his bed with him. The constant badgering made my heart race faster with fear. I desperately tried to convince him to leave me alone, feeling vulnerable and helpless in this unfamiliar environment.
He ketp asking and asking and the shaking continued. I needed something to cover me. Anything. After 5 or 6 nos, he let me be, going off to his room as I slid unto the couch and under the covers. But my fears only grew. What if it hadn’t been weed we took? We didn’t smoke after all. It was in a spray. What if he was drugging me? Could I be sure he took some? Was I paying attention? With no other option, I resorted to a makeshift self-defense plan. I slept with a plate under my pillow, ready to use it if the situation escalated further. The night passed in a haze of anxiety until the sun finally rose, and I could escape from this haunting experience.
I conveniently had to leave Montreal early, sacrificing a potentially pleasant trip for the sake of my sanity. The lesson here is that I guess you should follow your gut. If something feels off, don’t run towards it. That’s doubly true when you really don’t have to, when you got other options.
Almost Drowning in Indonesia
I’ve talked about this moment before. You can find it here. So, I won’t go too long or too deep into the shock and terror this excursion gave little ‘ol me.
In short, I found myself trying to circle a nearly deserted island in Sulawesi, Indonesia. All alone with no plan. As the sun began to set, I found myself wandering aimlessly with no GPS or way to see where I was going. The sea was rising, and I could feel the water creeping closer with each passing minute. Panic set in as I realized how precarious my situation was. With no other choice, I decided to crawl under the rocks, hoping to find a way back to safety. The darkness made it even more difficult, and I could feel my heart pounding in my chest as I navigated through the treacherous terrain.
Each step became a test of balance and strength, as I clung to the edge of the island. The fear of slipping into the water consumed my thoughts, and I fought to stay focused on finding a way out. Those moments nearly made me lose it as I feared I would basically lose everything to the vicious waves. I decided to turn back when it became clear there was no way I’d be able to actually circumnavigate the island like I’d hoped. Luckily, my tour guide noticed I was missing and sent out to find me. Somehow, some way he did and we rode back to safety on the back of his motorcycle, allowing me to carry on. My vacation went on and I would be able to encounter more and more scary moments while traveling.
Stuck at the Airport on the way to Egypt
As I entered Casablanca airport, excitement filled my veins. I was ready to embark on an adventure to Egypt, a land of ancient wonders and vibrant culture. Little did I know, this journey would soon turn into a nightmarish experience. Instead of pyramids and shisha, I was left with bureaucratic nonsense and trash airport food.
With my bags packed and a heart full of anticipation, I confidently approached the check-in counter. However, my dreams of a smooth journey were shattered when I was informed that I needed a visa to enter Egypt. My heart stopped. Had I made a mistake? I just planned this whole thing of studying Arabic at a language school in Cairo. Did I overlook the actual laws about doing that very thing. How could this be? I had read that it was a visa-on-arrival country! But maybe I read wrong..
Panic washed over me as I realized the gravity of the situation. The counter guy merely laughed in my face. It didn’t matter to him. Before I could argue, they sent me off and ushered for the next woman in line. I went to the counter to see if there’d been a mistake but no luck. She reiterated with the counter guy said. I’d need a visa first and a new flight second. I was stuck at the airport with no visa, nowhere to go, and nothing to do. The hours crept by as I desperately sought a solution. Each passing minute amplified my anxiety, leaving me feeling vulnerable and alone.
With a glimmer of hope, I discovered that there was another flight to Egypt leaving that very day. I hastily booked a ticket, unsure if they would actually let me on without a visa. I did more research into the matter, and everything told me the visa was indeed on arrival. So then, I should be good, I thought. That night, after 18 hours of sitting at the airport, I got through the check-in, the boarding, and onto the plane. Fear consumed me as I boarded it though, my mind was plagued with worst-case scenarios. So far everything worked. But, how long would that last?
As the wheels touched down in Cairo, my heart raced with anticipation. Would I be denied entry and sent back to Casablanca? No. To my surprise and relief, they granted me a visa on arrival. So that was that. The first people I met at the Moroccan check-in were just flat wrong. It was that easy. I was breathless once I got hold of my visa. A wave of gratitude washed over me as I stepped foot on Egyptian soil, thankful that my travel horror story had taken a turn for the better. This harrowing experience serves as a reminder that even the best-laid plans can go awry, and that sometimes, the scariest stories while traveling unfold when you least expect it.
Caught up in a Storm at Mentawai Islands
So by now, you’ve gotten a taste for the type of tedious troubles lurking for you while on any trip. or, at least you know mine. One particular story that still sends chills down my spine happened when I found myself caught up in a storm off the shores of the Mentawai Islands off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. It all started on a serene day as a few of us embarked on a small boat adventure to explore the remote beauty of the islands. Little did we know that this tranquil journey would turn into a heart-stopping ordeal.
As we sailed deeper into the sea, the weather quickly took a turn for the worse. The sky darkened, and the wind picked up, lashing at us mercilessly. The waves grew ferocious, crashing against our boat with an intensity that left us trembling. With each moment that passed, the storm grew stronger, tossing our boat from side to side like a mere toy. Panic and fear gripped us tightly as we clung to whatever we could find for stability. The deafening sounds of thunder and the chilling rain added to the terrifying ambiance of the situation.
At one point, a massive wave crashed over the bow, throwing us off balance. The motor nearly became entangled by a block of wood, threatening to leave us stranded in the treacherous waters. It felt like a scene from a horror movie, except this was our reality. For a moment, the boat did stop, lifeless there in the water as the driver struggled to man the moto back to life. I remember thinking I would die there and then. As my thoughts submerged, however, the motor reincarnated.
Despite the chaos and danger surrounding us, we somehow managed to navigate our way back towards the safety of the shore. With adrenaline coursing through our veins, we made a desperate dash, running up the sands together with the boat, to reach solid ground. I remember all of us, throwing our bags aside to the beach so we could muster all of our strength to lift the boat. We had to lug it all the way up the sandy hill, our clothes soaked and bodies frozen from the rain. But we made it. And I dare say we chilled so much after that, having to relax about.
Spooky Hostel in Georgia
Sometimes while traveling, things don’t even really need to happen for a place to be scary. Some spots manage it all by themselves. That was the case for the hostel I stayed in in Mestia, Svaneti, Georgia. Let me paint the scene, As I climbed up the hill towards the hostel, an eerie feeling washed over me. The building itself was narrow and empty, with long, dark hallways that seemed to stretch out forever. It overlooked the entire city, adding to its creepy atmosphere.
Inside, the air was heavy with an unsettling silence. The flickering lights cast eerie shadows on the walls, making me question whether I was truly alone. Every creak and whisper seemed magnified in that otherworldly hostel. Everything was wooden and by now covered in snow. It offered a false sense of warmth, a suffocating one. One that says that nobody can hear you scream. As I walked down the dimly lit hallway to my room, a sudden gust of wind sent an icy chill down my spine. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was being watched. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end, as if a ghostly presence lingered nearby.
That night, the hostel seemed to come alive with strange sounds. Doors creaked open on their own, and whispers echoed through the empty corridors. Sleep eluded me as I lay in my bed, haunted by the unexplained occurrences. What to make of all this? Was it just my mind playing tricks on me? Or something more fiendish. I never got those answers. Maybe we never do. I stayed there three nights and the eery feelings never got better at all. I took pleasure that nothing worse happened. Though, I did wonder if that was the reason I was the only guest there.
So yeah (Conclusion)
So yeah, reflecting on all these scary stories while traveling has reaffirmed the potential for danger and horror that travel uniquely possesses. As you are always in unfamiliar territory, there will always be a level of fear going into a trip. However, when you throw in the danger of nature, strange characters, creepy places but annoying roadblocks, things can get a lot scarier a lot quicker.
In conclusion, it’s essential to prioritize our safety while traveling. While these scary stories can be thrilling to hear and share, they serve as a reminder of the potential risks that exist. By taking precautions, staying alert, and using common sense, we can ensure a safer and more enjoyable travel experience. So go forth, explore the world, but always remember to be cautious and stay safe. And, hell, if you don’t no harm done either. You’ll get your own batch of scary stories like these…
