DISQUS

Christy · 10 months ago

Ohhh my gosh I'd pee my pants! That is scary. Makes you want to travel with some Mace or something. I'm kinda disappointed that no one came to help the screaming woman next door!

<abbr>Christy´s last blog post..Inspiration #7</abbr>

Andy Graham of HoboTraveler.co · 10 months ago

Hello, I had read a few post, it was interesting to learn you was a fearless women. Belize can be incredibly dangerous place, I would day Belize city is one of the most dangerous cities I know, and I have been to 79 countries. Caye Cauker is great, however I hear Belize is over the edge expensive now. You are right, if you give men and inch, the assume... However, all through the Caribbean women are getting hooking up with the local men. Thanks from Andy of HoboTraveler.com Travel Blog
<abbr>Andy Graham of HoboTraveler.com´s last blog post..No Plane I am Still in Pucallpa</abbr>

Chelsea · 10 months ago

Oh my goodness I'm so glad you are okay. This post had me on edge, like reading a suspense novel or something! Stalkers/creepy dudes are bad enough in the "safety" of you own city, but I can't imagine the fear when you are isolated and traveling alone. I'm happy to see it turned out well in the end.

<abbr>Chelsea´s last blog post..New Year, New Adventures</abbr>

Lori · 10 months ago

Hi Christine... I'm so glad that you are posting this experience. While traveling solo is one of the greatest things in the World, it can also be the scariest in situations like these.

I had two experiences that came close to turning out horribly wrong, and it is because I listened to my gut, as you did, that they did not turn out bad (i.e. I left the situation before it got where it was headed, just as you did). The best thing to come out of my solo travel is that I know my gut feeling inside and out, and I know to trust it, in every situation. It was hard to admit that I could be vulnerable, but admitting it really helped me recognize bad situations, rather than brush them off.

I really enjoy reading your blog! It is fantastic!

<abbr>Lori´s last blog post..Getting the Creative Spirit While Running A Business</abbr>

[F]oxymoron · 10 months ago

That fella's behavior was absolutely ludicrous. Now I'm curious. How many women encounter this level of persistent infringement while on the road?

<abbr>[F]oxymoron´s last blog post..Nuts And Bolts, Apples And Oranges</abbr>

Gillian · 10 months ago

My heart is beating and adreneline pumping just reading your account of it! I'm so glad it turned out okay and that you are recovering your nerve. I can't imagine how you told your husband!

<abbr>Gillian´s last blog post..21 Days…Ready, Set, Move!</abbr>

Stephen · 10 months ago

Very well done, I was looking forward to your conclusion! Great post, good writing. It's been a while since I read something that gripping, in a blog no less!

Oh... and I'm glad your safe and all that. lol! I guess that's part of why you travel with dogs now huh? With a dog, their sensitive ears, and sharp teeth, it makes living abroad feel much safer.

<abbr>Stephen´s last blog post..Improving Your Cinepolis Movie-going Experience</abbr>

Lori · 10 months ago

Foxymoron, I personally encountered it twice. It is more common than you think. The key is to do as Christine did, and as I have done and get out of the situation before it escalates. In one instance, I left the hostile I was staying in and went somewhere else. In the other instance, I left my seat on the train and sat in the dining car the entire overnight trip where there was light and people. Even other people had seen his behavior and were a little concerned for me. With the train experience I actually came very close to using self defense, not joking, but was able to get up, grab my things and walk away. Luckily he got off before I did that morning.

<abbr>Lori´s last blog post..Getting the Creative Spirit While Running A Business</abbr>

Gennaro · 10 months ago

It's amazing that some people just don't get the message. I'm glad it didn't turn out too badly. Unfortunately, this type of behavior from men happens quite often to women who are traveling. I think men watch too many Hollywood movies and get the wrong idea about Western women.

<abbr>Gennaro´s last blog post..Olympians Name Top Snowboarding Locations</abbr>

Wendy-Escape NY · 10 months ago

Thank goodness you are okay and I hope that is the last you see of this freak.
In so many cultures it is just not the norm for women to travel alone or do anything alone. They go from their parent’s house to their husband’s house and social activities are usually in a group with the family. As someone who travels on her own most of the time it can become tedious being asked are you married, why aren’t you traveling with your husband etc. I’m sure you can relate. And some men unfortunately think that all foreign women who travel on their own must be “game.” This is unfortunate. (And obviously not an excuse for bad behavior and in the case of your pursuer psycho behavior. How dare he.).
I have never been in a situation as scary as yours but when being followed down the street by someone who won’t give up or when I simply want to sit on a bench in the shade without being harassed I ask them what they would do if a man approached their sister, mother, niece the way they are approaching me. While they contemplate that I give them the slip or they back off. Some even apologize.
Obviously your situation was more serious and a perfect example of trust your gut. Wishing you safe and carefree travels.

<abbr>Wendy-Escape NY´s last blog post..America’s Biggest Celebration And The Beautiful Sea Of Humanity</abbr>

Chris · 10 months ago

Great - was looking forward to the second part. The writing here really captures the readers interest as well excellent. Glad you are safe and it didn't turn into anything nasty.

<abbr>Chris´s last blog post..5 Reasons to Say Yes More</abbr>

Grace @ Sandier Pastures · 10 months ago

I almost screamed in my chair and so glad I was able to hold myself because I am in the office, reading your post during work hours!

Glad nothing happened to you! Take care.

<abbr>Grace @ Sandier Pastures´s last blog post..WW - Skyscraper City</abbr>

LisaNewton · 10 months ago

I'm so happy you're all right. You did the right thing.

I wish you good travels and happy endings.

<abbr>LisaNewton´s last blog post..The Treasured Sculpture Garden Gem at UCLA</abbr>

oh_noooooos! · 10 months ago

How dare that man act macho in his own country! All third world men must be castrated and turned into emasculated American office eunuchs immediately, with female supervisors and feminist lawyers to crush their nuts if they get out of line, so that our female backpackers can feel as though they're in Burlington no matter where they are.

mich · 10 months ago

You live and learn. I am glad that you ended up fine.

<abbr>mich´s last blog post..A day in the beach</abbr>

jamie · 10 months ago

Creepy. A girlfriend and I once held our breath as a buzzed new acquaintance staggered around the front porch of our rental house in Costa Rica calling out to us, but there were two of us. We could have dumped him over the porch railing if we had to. Then he fell asleep in our hammock and spent the night. I had forgotten about it until I read your post.

Are you familiar with the book "The Gift of Fear"? It scares the crap out of you, but makes you safer, I think.

<abbr>jamie´s last blog post..Wonder Pets? We’re On Our Way.</abbr>

Beth Partin · 10 months ago

This was a very useful series. Rita Golden Gelman tells a similar story about staying in a Zapotec village and being very glad that there was a lock on her door (Tales of a Female Nomad). Unfortunately, this kind of treatment of women is a fact of life.

I would recommend that everyone (not just women) take a self-defense course, even if it's just one of those one-day things. Most attackers go for people who look distracted or out of place, and self-defense courses give lots of tips on how to keep such people at bay.

I took two years of Krav Maga, and although I'll never be as tough as one of those UFC cage fighters (LOL), I learned a lot about defending myself using elbow strikes or knee strikes or whatever else is possible. If anybody here is looking for a good long-term self-defense program, I heartily recommend it because it's a great workout and it's based on commonsense techniques.

<abbr>Beth Partin´s last blog post..Day 22 of Todd’s Recovery from SCDS Surgery: Two Steps Forward, One Step Back?</abbr>

Jesus · 10 months ago

Christine?

Kyle · 10 months ago

Even though you ended up being alright in the end, don't doubt your judgment. If your intuition tells you something's wrong, it probably is.

<abbr>Kyle´s last blog post..Part II, Melissa & Nelson: Destination Wedding, Vina Indomita, Chile</abbr>

Lola · 10 months ago

Shivers ran up my spine as I read this. Was right there with you!
How scary it must have been. So glad you're okay and safe.

Seriously (and if you're ready), you should submit this into some women's travel anthology - http://www.travelerstales.com/guidelines/

<abbr>Lola´s last blog post..Postcard: Tough Sell</abbr>

Tanya · 10 months ago

I'm glad you decided to write about this, Christine. Most women who travel alone (and sometimes even groups of women, in my experience) have had something like this happen to them. It's unfortunate, but it's a reality and we have to be aware of it.

You did the right thing. Women should never feel bad about fleeing an uncomfortable situation or screaming at someone to get away. Better that than the alternative.

<abbr>Tanya´s last blog post..Snow Day</abbr>

going to Caye Caulker · 8 months ago

Hi - glad to hear everything turned out well!

Can I ask what the name of that place was by any chance - or do you have their phone number?

Thank you either way!