I will be studying abroad in Spain starting in late august to mid december. Another girl and I were wanting to travel to the north of spain, and our advisors here in the states told us it was unsafe because of all the political unrest. They also implied that it would be advisable for two 20 year old blondes to be traveling about the country side. Is this true, or is this just paranoia?

Hi K Jolee!
While there is cause for concern regarding ETA terrorists, I personally am not going to let that deter me from going to Bilbao and San Sebastian, let alone visit a slew of other cities in Spain this summer... as a solo traveler! I wouldn't worry about traveling around Spain... I think you and your friend will be just fine! Take advantage while you are in Spain and enjoy!!!!!!

SusiLaGallega

Please. Your 'advisors' - have they been to Spain? It's fine and you'll have a blast. People in Pais Vasco are really nice too.

K Jolee,
First, on ETA terrorism: the ETA have struck in many locations outside of the Pais Vasco...will that prevent me from traveling to Spain? Of course not! (I think I would mail myself there in a cardboard box if necessary.)

Second, females traveling alone: I don't want to brush off the well-intentioned warnings of advisors, family members, or any of the myriad group of well-meaning souls who want to look out for us helpless little gals. Yes, there are dangers to which we, as female travelers, are more vulnerable than our male counterparts.

HOWEVER...I am not going to simply wait around for a male escort before I will go out and see and experience all that I can. My (female) best friend and I visited Spain and Morocco last year, we were 28 and 25, respectively. Were there potential dangers on this trip? Yes. Did anything horrible happen to us? No. We researched the locations we were visiting; we knew what to expect. We avoided dangerous situations. (To be honest, I felt safer on that trip than I do much of the time in US cities.)

The key is to be aware, to be safe, and above all, TO USE COMMON SENSE. If a situation feels wrong, it probably is. Be smart and you will be safe.

Go, and have a wonderful time!

K,

On a personal note, I think Basque Country is safer than Madrid. Your advisors are offering information in good faith, but the actions of ETA are not directed at Americans in any way nor form. I believe they may well be over-reacting to the situation that exists.

As for the people of Basque Country, regardless of political belief, there's nobody that I have met who is more friendly, courteous, or helpful than they are. It's a joy to spend time with them, and I will be going back there in the near future, to spend at least a couple of weeks visiting our friends in Bilbao, Algorta, and the surrounding area.

As for two blondes traveling together... You sure left it open for us to tell lots of jokes, haven't you?

Like the 3 blondes trying for a detective job on the Chicago Police Department. They tested the first by showing her a side mug shot of a man. "Tell us about him?" The Lieutenant asked.

"He don't wear glasses." The woman said.
"How do you know that?" The Lt. asked.
"He's only got one eye." The blonde responded.

#2 was shown the same picture, and asked the same question.
"He don't wear glasses." She said.
"Why not?" The Lt. asked.
"He's only got one eye." She said.

#3, same question.
"He wears contact lenses." The third said.
"Please!" The Lt. said. "Don't tell me it's because he only has one eye."
"No." She replied.
Quickly the Lt. walked away and checked the man's record thoroughly. Then he returned, confident he'd found the candidate for detective.
"He does wear contacts. How did you know that?" He asked.
"Silly," She said, "he only has one ear, and it wouldn't hold up glasses."

Wolf (married to the same blonde for 36+ years)

K Jolee -
Everything said in the posts above is so true. The Basques are some of the most gracious and kind people you will ever encounter. And the same can be said for the people throughout Spain. LaProfesora made a point that has been stressed time and again when questions such as yours have been asked. "The key is to be aware, to be safe, and above all, TO USE COMMON SENSE. If a situation feels wrong, it probably is. Be smart and you will be safe".
Where will you be studying while in Spain?

Welcome back Wolf - we've missed you!

[ 06-05-2001: Message edited by: Puna ]

I gotta get to this board sooner!

Although the days of ETA's "courteous terrorism" are over (i.e. "everyone off the bus, we're going to blow it up"), you are still safe in Euskadi. Your "advisors" are probably referring to the communiqué from ETA's brass about targeting tourist areas. They probably got more result out of that message than any bombing would've accomplished: It obviously sunk in on your professors.

As for the place itself, I love the Basque Country and Basques so much, I married one. Enough said.

Go, enjoy, study, etc. and make sure you post your personal impressions.

Don't worry for being blonde, I think they stopped kipnapping blondes and selling them in exchange for sheeps like 5 years ago :p and you will be amazed by the number of blonde Spaniards that you'll find (real blonde and fake ones)

My sister is a lovely blonde, and she and I (her dark-haired big sis) had an incredible two weeks in Spain, including the Pais Vasco, in 1995. I wholeheartedly recommend it. Stay alert, but don't get hung up on being blonde or anything else! When you're out late, plan your transportation carefully (taxi?); don't walk along the beach in the middle of the night, etc....things you already know from being two clever and intelligent blondes here in the US!!

Have a great time and expect to be noticed a bit for your blonde hair...but in a good way!

And BTW, when we were in Spain, all the women seemed to be dying their hair RED--red like cherries or fire engines, not like an Irish lass! Is that the current trendy color? We even saw old ladies with flame-red hair!!

Hey everyone!
Thanks for the advice. I am so relieved because I keep hearing from this one friend of mine that San Sebastian is the most beautiful place. Puna asked where I will be studying...Valladolid. I am VERY excited. Estoy nerviosa porque mi espanol es horrble! Oh well, I'll pick it up right? I have a question while I have everyone's attention. We (my friend and I) are hoping to travel most of the weekends. Where are some good places (not TOO expensive) for us to go, or any special festivals to go to? Thanks!