>Canada, Too many mosquitoes

Because across this entire country the flora and fauna are totally exactly the same.

Manitoba and Ontario are bad for mosquitoes (among other pests), the rest of the country not so much.

It depends which part of the UK you visit. Ethnic minorities mostly live in big cities in England. Black people are few and far between in Scotland and Wales, though you might see the occasional Muslim in big cities like Glasgow.

The thing you notice with the black people is they are mostly from the Carribean (ie. ex-British colonies), so they are fairly well integrated into the culture. Same goes for the Indians. Its the newer immigrants (mostly "asylum seekers" from the middle east) that stick out.

If you're obviously middle eastern you're going to receive flak from people to some degree (less than you think though), African not so much. Being a rather obvious American tourist probably won't hurt as much either. Don't be a dick, stay in the generally touristy areas, don't do anything stupid, no problems. Wouldn't recommend solo travel in eastern Europe though, I'm a white as the driven snow Canadian and I felt a bit on edge in parts of various eastern European countries. Also, if you look like a Roma be prepared for EVERYONE to hate you. Europeans are generally pretty liberal about this kind of thing except where the Roma are involved (can't say I blame them, generally dirty thieving folk with poor hygiene).

Belgium and France are probably going to be your best bet for blending in without anyone caring about the colour of your skin. Honestly, just stay away from southern Italy (read: Sicily), eastern Europe, and the poorer districts of major cities and you're fine.

Another Londonfag here -

It all depends where you are in the UK. We're not a very big country, sure, you can't generalise the entire nation like that. There are places (south London, Bradford, etc) where racial/religious differences are pronounced but you're unlikely to go to that kind of area as a tourist. They're shite places. 99.9% of the UK, much like the US, has no problems whatsoever and people of varied colours/creeds live happily hand in hand under a giant rainbow of love and harmony or some shit, and as a visitor doing the sights and getting a taste of the UK you'll not leave that 99.9%.

Seriously, it's not a big problem. Besides, every country has it's own immigration/integration issues...

>>631

I was also considering the uk, because of the lack of a language barrier. However I'm a little in the dark about the place, in this thread I'm interested more in testimonials and actual experience. I've also been browsing online study abroad directories so I get the general idea but I do want to hear what things are like from someone who is not in sales.


I'd be a little paranoid about cctv in the bedrooms though.

>>635
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/forums
That is a pretty big forum for uni students in the UK.
Also take a look around http://yougo.co.uk/
I've never used it but it's connected with the application site for UK universities.

There won't be CCTV in bedrooms.

if you go back to china, hangzhou is great. strikes a good balance between ultra-modern and really scenic. the women are hot, the laws are somewhat lax (for china) and the surrounding area is beautiful. the schools are top-notch as well, and there's so much shit to do there.

What you should do is give us more information because Mexico is a large fuckin' country.

Go snorkling!
Seriously though, if you go to mexico you gotta do that. Try to collect shells and whatever else you find on the ocean floor. The snorkeling is beautiful there. Gives you a nice tan too.

>>658
Ha! Now there's something I wish someone had told me before I went snorkeling the first time. I got more than a tan, I got a wicked bad sun burn. Make sure you prepare for that.

It is an absolute blast though, really makes me wanna try scuba diving. HNNNNNNNNNG

You'll get robbed if you sleep on a beach there.
That's all I know.

Brazil is apparently one of the scariest places in the world to travel solo (my source on this has made note he felt far safer in places like Iran than in Brazil), and their crime rate is more than a little intimidating. Showing signs of affluence is a bad idea, and apparently carrying your wallet with you on a train is a horrible idea.

I'm sure it's easy to stay safe as long as you follow the basic safe travelling rules though, so don't be discouraged about that. All I know about Brazil, sorry, I've always been more intrigued by Argentina and Chile.

Well . . I'm living in Salvador, Brazil right now. I can tell you a ton of great and terrible stuff but honestly I'm not really sure where to start. . . .

Well, first of all if you go to any city on the coast then you are required to go to the beach. The beaches are amazing, inexpensive (food and drink) and you can always see the myriads of hot Brazilian women in their bikinis. You can eat a bunch of crab get a few bears and have a great time all for about 6 dollars or less. That of course depends on where u are of course. Unfortunately, I would highly recommend that you have someone that is either Brazilian and from the area or at least someone who can speak Portuguese.

This is simply because without speaking Portuguese you make yourself a HUGE target and greatly increase your chances of getting into trouble. This of course all depends on where you are but If I'm not with friends or in a safe part of town I almost never speak English. People notice immediately if you speak English and generally notice if you look too light haired or pale skinned. This isn't always a bad thing and can actually help a lot with the women but just further increases how much you get noticed by both cool good people and those who want to rob you.

To sum this up I wouldn't travel here alone. Have some sort of friend with you even if its just another "gringo" (though I would highly recommend having a Brazilian with you). There are a ton of things you can do and the country is truly awesome but you do have to know certain things in order to be careful and continue having an awesome time.

I could ramble forever but if OP or someone else has any specific questions please ask. I'll probably respond soon.

>>648
You need to take a look at a map, >>641 has been to vancouver, which is not in the US.

And, the United States is a gigantic country if you have not noticed. It's not that unusual for someone born here to not have left the country, and considering the age of some of the posters here, you can probably understand why they have yet to go anywhere.

>>653
My mind was on the fritz. Ok, so maybe not so much >>641 but I don't know how different the US and canada are.

That's far from the point, size means shit. It's culture that makes the difference and the US isn't distinctly different. No country is really, that's why we travel, to see different cultures. I know it's not unusual but that doesnt make it a good thing.

>>654
Wow, the irony of a Limey being that guy to a Yank. Have you never met Americans? They're obscenely different depending on where they're from. And who cares if they've never left their country? You seem to forget those of us who live in North America (in my case Canada if anyone is curious) have very different geographical constraints compared to those of you who live in the old world. It's not like someone who has only travelled all of what, about 3,500 kilometres away from home has some amazing bragging rights in being an accomplished traveller and authority on world culture.

>>622

I have now learnt that Scotland is a pretty place, Glasgow is a fucking maze and that fourteen hours is more than I am capable of driving without crashing.

I've spent 12 days on Skye and had a fucking blast!
You should visit hostels though, they're the best way to meet people

>>646
Fuck, I was really looking forward to visiting the Isle of Skye this summer as part of my larger Euro expedition, so very, very choked I can't go now. :(

I've heard the hostels there are kind of a drag though, quiet and often full of older folk, any truth to that? I wasn't a fan of hostels where people in their 50s would stay (wtf happened to the youth part of youth hostel by the by?) and expect everyone in their early to mid 20s to keep things low-key at all hours of the day, kind of defeats the purpose of it being a hostel.

Also, since it hasn't come up going to Edinburgh during the Fringe Festival (pending you can manage accommodations) is a blast. It can get a bit crazy trying to see everything and attend festival events but worth it regardless. Listening to drunken surly Scots complain about all the tourists is hilarious as well (until they take a swing at you that is). :3

Thanks for the replies, I will pay them all close attention.

I am pretty pale so it won't really matter how I dress to fit in I will still stand out pretty well. But after some sun and proper vocabulary pronunciation I should be okay.

Is Malaria big in Central/South America?

>>632

It can be, although it really depends on where you go. Generally if you're in the mountains you'll be ok, but nearer to sea level you might have a problem.

http://cdc-malaria.ncsa.uiuc.edu/

That's a map of the severity of malaria risk. It looks like Panama City and Colon are both safe, but I'd still go to a travel clinic and ask them just to be sure.

>>633

Thanks you very much.

It is a bit strange that the small green spot amidst a sea of yellow, lands right on Panama City and Colon. I am either lucky or this is bullshit. Or perhaps they spry the crap out of these areas with chemicals.

Old Montreal is GORGEOUS. I love just walking around there at night. Also, if you're there in July, I believe, check out the Francofolies, a HUGE Francophone music festival. And walking around downtown on Sainte-Catherine and in the Plateau or Saint-Laurent is always exciting.

Do you speak French French or Canadian French? They are a little different.

Shame this board is dead, but hopefully OP wanders back (or someone finds this information useful in general).

>>403

>Drink some Unibroue beer like Fin du monde

This, but don't forget Trois Pistole, and Maudite. Beyond that, Quebec has a fantastic craft brew culture that goes much deeper than Unibroue (although Unibroue can be great). Be sure to seek out Dieu du Ciel's Montreal pub (my favorite Quebec brewer as it stands) or go up to the St. Jerome location if you're feeling adventurous, and go to McAuslan's pub (amazing Oatmeal Stout, one of my favourite beers of all time) as well.