Running Out of Time!!

[imac 0]

I am less than a week away from travelling to Nigeria to see my fiance for 10 days.

I have been wavering back and forth about going/not going but deep down I want to go because I love my fiance.

My hesitation has absolutely nothing to do with my fiance. We have known each other for awhile and my fiance and my fiance's parents sent me invitation letters with their identification. I know my fiance loves me and wouldn't hurt me. My fiance has been very patient and understanding over the past few weeks with my indecision.

All in all, I think I am scared to travel this far distance, being outside of my comfort zone and the unknown factor. This is a life changing situation. Could I be getting cold feet?

I have secure hotel accommodations, a driver, and I plan to take money but I am also going to Western Union myself 2 payments instead of walking around with a lot of US dollars.

Is this normal? Did you all feel like this before going on your trip?

Help!

Running out of time.

[Zee Bee 61]

I don't think its cold feet. Like you said, I think that you're more anxious about the long trip and being somewhere different than seeing your fiance.

I can't speak to being jittery when traveling, I have been doing it for as long as I can remember. I love going to different places.

I think that instead of focussing on what is going to be different or the flight, focus on the time you are going to be spending with your fiance. In reality, 10 days is not much, so make some plans on what you want to do, where you want to go. Take the opportunity to learn about his culture and his surroundings to give you a better understanding of him. And take in the culture, the food, the atmosphere for your own benefit.

[Ta Ta 1]

Have you ever suffered from anxiety ? Maybe talking to your physician about this will help in that he can subscribe a mild sedative to relax you enough

to take that step. I do not have that problem and run all over the globe but have heard of many who are apprehensive to travel to other countries.

It is a good idea to establish some kind of support system before you go, with a church or organization for back up if you need it.

My church is an International organization and I was in contact with the pastor in S/L and others before I left.

Wishing you joyful trip !

[Sylvia_n_Joseph 3]

Where are you headed for in Nigeria? I know I was nervous on the first trip and I was over prepared if anything . Numbers for lots of people , 2 sets of people traveling in separate cars to meet me. Code words for family in case I was in trouble they would know.

This time it centers around are my suitcases big enough and OMG how much is it going to cost.

[WhidbeyGirl 1]

I COMPLETELY understand exactly what you are going through. I am 25 days from traveling to Senegal and the anxiety and nervousness comes on very strong some days. Here are the things I am doing:

Registering my travel plans with the US Embassy

My family also knows our complete itinarary

My friend has a list of code words that I will text each day that say I am OK

I am NOT bringing a credit card (his suggestion)

I had thought about Western Unioning myself money, it will depend on if I have any at that time. I like your idea of having copies of their identifications, will have to maybe ask for that. Your plans are a bit better than mine because I am completely relying upon him for my accomodations. The economy has been so terrible where I live (I know it's everywhere), that my self-employment business has not been generating any income, so I have very little money to take with me. I get paid the day before I leave and will probably forego paying some bills so I can at least take a couple hundred with me.

[imac 0]

Where are you headed for in Nigeria? I know I was nervous on the first trip and I was over prepared if anything . Numbers for lots of people , 2 sets of people traveling in separate cars to meet me. Code words for family in case I was in trouble they would know.

This time it centers around are my suitcases big enough and OMG how much is it going to cost.

I am going to Lagos and Abuja. I have travelled before but never this far and NEVER FOR LOVE. I have some friends in the US that have provided me with telephone numbers for their relatives that live in Nigeria as well. I think I will incorporate the idea of the code words and the daily texts to let everyone know I am okay. I use Pingo to call there so I am adding about 3 hours of talk time with all of my contact numbers programmed in the service so that my parents can contact me at any time while I am there. I am renting a GSM phone for part of my trip and I was told I could another phone for cheap when I get there. I heard I can get a phone for about $10-20 USD.

[imac 0]

I COMPLETELY understand exactly what you are going through. I am 25 days from traveling to Senegal and the anxiety and nervousness comes on very strong some days. Here are the things I am doing:

Registering my travel plans with the US Embassy

My family also knows our complete itinarary

My friend has a list of code words that I will text each day that say I am OK

I am NOT bringing a credit card (his suggestion)

I had thought about Western Unioning myself money, it will depend on if I have any at that time. I like your idea of having copies of their identifications, will have to maybe ask for that. Your plans are a bit better than mine because I am completely relying upon him for my accomodations. The economy has been so terrible where I live (I know it's everywhere), that my self-employment business has not been generating any income, so I have very little money to take with me. I get paid the day before I leave and will probably forego paying some bills so I can at least take a couple hundred with me.

I like all of your suggestions and I think I will incorporate the code words. I figured Western Union would be cheaper than getting currency through my bank plus I will feel more comfortable not walking around with a lot of money on me. I called and they said you can send $500USD for $12. I will get most of it in Nigerian currency when I pick it up. I will send a few installments of different amounts but my fiance will only know about 1 just in case something goes down. If I don't pick the money up I will get a refund when I return to the US.

[Sylvia_n_Joseph 3]

Actually the code words were to cover if I was forced into phoning home ( like asking for money )

Little things I could naturally slip into a conversation to let them know I was in trouble ( My sister took the warnings of Kidnappings on the embassy site way to seriously ) I do have to admit we were robbed once in Onitshia. But it was our habit to only have a single says worth of money on us and never to have too much anywhere. Be aware that when you land you are on your own until after you get through customs. Be very very carefull of offers to help or you may see your bags run right out the door

[His Glory 25]

You will have have a blast, do worry toooo much. Just be aware. Once thing a friend told me was that you need to know who is picking u up at the airport. a pic or something, cause she says that (she is from ghana) that people will over hear your name mentioned at customs or somewhere along the way and come up to you and call you by name as if they were sent to look for you. I took a few hundreds rolled up and put them into different parts of my clothing and I did take my bank card.....but Im not sure about Nigeria cause I went to ghana and they had good banks there. Your fiance will keep you safe, you will be like a treasure to him and his family so feel secure they will protect and help you spot danger.

[taurean 0]

imac: I think what you are feeling is normal. It can be pretty daunting to travel outside the country for the first time. But it sounds like you have taken all the precautions you need to. Add the preparations you've already made to the suggestions here, and I think you will be fine!! Best wishes for safe travels.

whidbey island: Where in Senegal will you be travelling? Dakar? If you have any questions feel free to ask me. I travelled there a couple of times alone before meeting my hubby. Don't be nervous (I know, easier said than done), I am sure that you will have a wonderful experience. Just remember to pack your common sense along with everything else. You mentioned registering with the Embassy, great idea! I also recommend travel medical insurance if you can swing it and if you haven't already done so. I have always used Medex.

[WhidbeyGirl 1]

imac: I think what you are feeling is normal. It can be pretty daunting to travel outside the country for the first time. But it sounds like you have taken all the precautions you need to. Add the preparations you've already made to the suggestions here, and I think you will be fine!! Best wishes for safe travels.

whidbey island: Where in Senegal will you be travelling? Dakar? If you have any questions feel free to ask me. I travelled there a couple of times alone before meeting my hubby. Don't be nervous (I know, easier said than done), I am sure that you will have a wonderful experience. Just remember to pack your common sense along with everything else. You mentioned registering with the Embassy, great idea! I also recommend travel medical insurance if you can swing it and if you haven't already done so. I have always used Medex.

I'll be traveling definitely to Tambacounda where SO lives. We are getting married in Thiés. We will be visiting other areas as finances allow. I sell tools for women so am hoping to sell lots this month in anticipation of Christmas. I have email blasted everyone I know letting them know I have great deals on my inventory. We were also in Oprah magazine this month so hopefully I will have lots of online sales too. What is MedEx? I have a state insurance plan, but am not sure if it covers me out of the country.

[Perseverance 1]

I just wanted to give an allert about Western Unioning money that is not going to be picked up right away, My husband sent a couple thousand over and his brother was to pick it up, he had a delay, when he got there SOMEONE else was trying to pick up the money. This is a new scam, someone on the inside gives thier counterpart on the outside ALL of the information that they need to pick up the money, appearently they even go to the extent to have false identification made up. Now I would NEVER have believed this if it had not happened to us. Luckily my brother in law has a quick thinker and reported the problems he was having right away (called us right from inside the bank, it is my understanding cell phones are not allowed to be used in banks) anyway we called Western Union and reported the problem, they helped us, and the money went into the right hands. This all happened a few months ago.

Anyway I understand the traveling with cash thing, I always sent my money ahead of time as well, but I had my then fiancee pick it up. I just wanted to give you a heads up to a potential problem. I would hate for you to go to pick up you money and then....no money. Maybe discuss with your SO?

I hope I did not make your apprehention worse

[WhidbeyGirl 1]

Thanks for the info Perseverance. Maybe I'll have my mom Western Union me the money.

[maliciant 7]

Just a note, you can't send money to yourself with western union, at least that's what they told me. Having your mom send it is OK but she'll have to use a card in her own name (or at least not in your name).

[WhidbeyGirl 1]

The thought came to me in the middle of the night (not sleeping very well these days). Would it be better to take travelers checks?