Travelling Europe Solo

I'm not an American. Might help.

I am a hip left-wing Canadian chick who also 'hates Mr Bush'.

But if we're going my accent and they I'm sure I'll mangle foreign tongues, then you wouldn't be able to tell the difference beteween me and Jenna Bush herself.

At any rate... Thanks to everyone who replied! Your tips are great and I'll keep checking this thread!

Funny thing, that. Canadian, for the most part, don't make for particularly strong nationalists either (believe it or not). The flag thing got started as a way of preventing Canuck travelers from being mistaken for Americans, who are, as you say, not so popular in some parts of the world. We're otherwise pretty hard to tell apart.

Definitely.

Or better yet, deposit all of it with a bank in your home town that doesn't charge fees for ATM use, and then just carry a card. Faster, more convenient, and much cheaper.

Email is probably the standard these days.

It's the ultimate Canadian packpacker cliché but I think the flag's a must.

I actually think we become more Pro Canadian when we get farther from home. Funny about that. I guess it's the old bit about how you don't know what you've got till its gone.

Too right, John! The part that's too bad is the number of Americans who try to masquerade by putting Canadian flags on their packs (doesn't work, by the way).

On the bright side of not sporting the maple leaf: a foreigner hears the accent, asks 'what part of the States' are you from...as soon as the shoulders straighten and the back goes rigid, it's astounding how many will automatically say, 'sorry, Canada, right?' and shout you a beer. It's happened to me many times.

Maybe it works..until they open their mouths

SUCH GOOD ADVICE!!

THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO'S REPLYING!! Enough yelling, but seriously... I'm taking this all into consideration!! You people all rock!!

europe on a shoestring is a cool guide.

whereabouts in london? the only places I dont feel save in london are down in millwall (i'm a west ham fan!), brixton and hackey. and i live in hackey!!

generally you WONT find hostels down in these places.

good hostelling in london, shephards bush, putney/wimbledon, kangaroo valley (earls court), etc.

-df, just another Mad Aussie in London