How to start travel?

 Countries that I have visited:

Pattaya, Thailand

I started my first travel at the age of 15. My dad and I are both adventurous Sagittariuses, and that moved him to buy us tickets to Thailand. He decided to take me out of all my siblings because I am "LUCKY" that is exactly what he said to me. Before offering this trip to me he gave me an ultimatum to pick either Thailand with him or U.S.A with my mom, little did he know we weren't planning to come back so I told him I am not going with him. He either way took me because he was just bluffing and trying to mess with me as usual. Our trip overall was very long since our home country is in the Middle Asia and our home city is pretty far from the capital and airports. He bought us tickets from Omsk to Pattaya. We took 2 buses, from Kazakhstan to Russia. Crossing the border shouldn't have been that hard but I was teenager and knew less, so I tried to take a picture of a k9 dog, which led to my phone being taken away. My father had to bribe the guards to receive my phone back. Therefor he was mad at me the whole trip to Thailand. After we arrived we stayed at his friend's house and the next morning left. 

    When We arrive, We were so exhausted but also very excited since it is our first time leaving our home country. My first thoughts were "oh my god it looks so bright and colorful". I have never seen that much green before, also it was super super humid. The whole trip was one hell of an experience and I do not regret going. Couple things I learned about Thailand, Pattaya: very touristy place, a lot of night life and entertainments, amazing fruits, amazing-hardworking people, and a lot of cool street food. But if you get out of touristy zone you might be in danger. It is very affordable even for people who live in third world countries.

Rating: 8/10

New York City, U.S.A.

  

  Second country is on the list but it is bias since I live in here and based, United States of America. Overall big cities so so, small towns are wow. I really didn't like New York City but I haven't seen so much of a U.S even though I lived here for 7 years but even living here for more years, you would still need a lot of time to discover full U.S.A in it all colors and shades. U.S.A is very big and each state is like its own country and rules, so far I know that Pennsylvania is like my home country weather like and very clean and quiet depending on the day of the week, population, and town. People that I have met in U.S are very friendly, kind, and helpful. I didn't like NYC only because how expectation and reality isn't the same thing there, but that's just my opinion hate it or love it U.S is very iconic. 

rating: 9.9/10

Brussel, Belgium

Third country was Belgium and it was hell of a process that I never want to repeat. Since that time I was a green card holder I still had to go get Shengen visa to enter European states. The experience was horrible, I applied 3 months ahead and was given visa last second with a lot of poor communication and reasoning. In fact I have clear records and there shouldn't have been problem for them holding it for so long, I was just going for touristic reasons and it was my birthday! Anyways On top of that all I payed over 200-300$ to collect papers, pay fee for visa and traveling to D.C for interview.

The trip itself was one of the longest for over a month and a half. I was staying in 3 different countries. In Belgium I stayed in Brussel, and it was indeed like I imagined it! I loved every second in Europe, it was such an experience, food, people, and language! One thing I hated is urine smell in the streets since Europeans have bathrooms right there in the open, and man urinate basically anywhere since bathrooms in most places not free and usually cost about 50 euro cents or one euro. It was one of the expensive trips I have ever had, even compare to U.S. Food size comparing to U.S was big difference, people aren't as friendly and open but it again depends on situation. Europeans definitely mostly smokers, so prepare yourself for that. They allowed to smoke in most public places and even restaurants. Belgium shocked me a little with language, people mostly understand English but they also speak in different provinces or areas Dutch, German, or French. Brussel was more on a cozy size rather than touristic side. Overall highlights for me were Manneken Pis, Chocolate, and Atomium.

Rating: 8.5/10

Paris, France

France was very similar to Belgium but not as romantic as I image.  People smoke 99% of the time, and for a person who hates tobacco it was pretty tough. People there are very helpful even though they get a reputation of being cold after Russians, but when I was trying to carry my heavy luggage down the metro people even woman tried helping me and offered hands. Food is expensive especially healthy one, Portion sizes small but they would say they are normal. Streets do smell like urine as well. Coffees are so tiny! But I was prepared for that European coffee style long time ago from movies. But oh my! The history, the attractions and the bread! I will say though be careful! there are a lot of immigrants, and overall people who tried to pickpocket, scam and profit from tourists. Eiffel Tower was an amazing piece and so beautiful with the view it offered. The month I went wasn't the right time for Paris. Therefor I stayed mostly in the hotel or spend short time outside. Two days definitely give it a fair judgement, isn't enough to see all sides of Paris. 

Rating: 8.2/10

Bucharest, Romania

Romania was my longest one and closing one. I spend New year there and xmas. Romanians definitely gave me a lot of stares and judgement, I am not sure if it was in a good way or not. Romania reminded me of Russia and my country because of USSR times. People are mostly religious there, so you should be mindful of that. It was very affordable to stay there and live but definitely no that many attractions to keep you entertained. I would say night life would be the highlight but overall very familiar experience. The language was fun to interact with. Out of previous countries they didn't speak that well with English.

I also went around Romania to Brasov, one of the mountain cities and famous for Dracula castle. I skied in Brasov and it was so beautiful and fairytale like. Romania in winter definitely was worth seeing. But I do believe Summer and Fall better for a visit. Because Romania was cold as Russia. 

Serbia was one of the unplanned and unexpected countries to visit but it was such a unique country. So much I have learned about Nicola Tesla and Serbian history and heard stories from a taxi driver about Serbian revolutions and wars. Definitely very affordable and livable areas. Food is so meaty and delicious. People were kind of similar to Romanians. A lot of them looked at me (I am asian, not sure if that is a reason or that I spoke English). Not many attractions but it was August so I enjoyed myself in lakes in Belgrade. The architecture was very on and off from broken building to new apartment building, separated by new rich side to an old. I found Serbians to be fun and very welcoming overall. They try to speak English and understand. I have had couple of bad inter counters: one was with some homeless guy at Mcdonald's, he didn't like me speaking English was saying bad things about American presidents and telling me to leave "his" country, and the other is grandma begging for food at the open restaurant and harassing me for money. 

Rating:6.5/10

Turkey was definitely one of the risks of all trips for me. I traveled all alone, and that's very dangerous for a woman to do since Turkey is a muslim country and man there has a bad reputation of harassing foreign woman. The reputation was true, I felt super unsafe and looked upon but only had two weird interactions. One was guy trying to take pictures with me saying "I am beautiful" and that he wants people to think I am his gf, and the other old man on a scooter stalking me on a pier at night. Man would also hit on me without any precautions and ask for my number and Instagram, they definitely do not take no for an answer and won't leave you alone, for that reason I wore wedding ring to say that "I am married", which helped a lot with people respecting me and leaving me alone. But the highlights were how fascinating Turkish culture, food and people are. They have one of the biggest selling bazars, and attractions. I loved baklava so much to the point where I promised myself to marry a Turkish guy! Which is separate story to tell since I actually married Turkish Guy two months later. I really appreciated Turkish Mosques and history behind the city of Istanbul. I loved the affordability of Turkey. They had everything all within same country, from resort to a nyc type city. The bridges are definitely fascinating in Istanbul and as well as traffic! Turkey is also 100% smoker friendly just like France, so if you smoke you will feel like home. Turkey definitely isn't vegetarian friendly since everything is oily and absorbed with meat, like beef, lamb, and etc. Turkish people are definitely looked at me but not in a weird way I would say in a kind, curious way. I got help from various people especially girls. I made some of the coolest friend during my trip. People are so welcoming and joyful. They have one of the toughest political issues but even though that fact they still know how to celebrate and not let things upset you. I also visited Erzurun and Antalya. A lot of people were shocked that I visited Erzurum even the Turkish people. It wasn't as touristy and I have seen different side of people and culture since Erzurum considered the "Anatolians". They had different accent and dialect and my friend from State College lives there, so he showed me all the historical places as well as the mountains that are well known in Turkey to it skiing season. Antalya was one of the worst and loved places it was definitely hit or miss for me personally. I hated the content heat and dryness. You physically cannot walk or stay out, it was unbearably hot. One thing I have done there during that heat is swimming and staying in the water. I have seen a lot of tourist there and didn't really dig that since most of them were Russians and just a personal opinion but Russians are not good tourists, they are loud and disrespectful, and I know that since I grew up among them. Anyways, my heads up to you guys, BE CAREFUL with Turkey, there are a lot of people who try to scam you, or overcharge. Since Turkish people aren't that good at English they will use language barrier to get your money or overcharge you since Turkey is pretty cheap. I got scammed so many times during my visit in Turkey that I couldn't care anymore. I also lost my debit card in one of the atms in Turkey, right before my flight home back. I would definitely recommend overall, cheap, a lot of delicious food and sweets, and amazing vacation spots with beaches and mountains. 

 Rating: 8.7/10