I encountered tiny elevators in Italy too. About the size of a coat closet. Really just enough to shoe horn your luggage and one person in. Probably because they’re fitted into old buildings. Some showers weren’t much bigger either. I would add don’t expect refills on any type of drinks in restaurants, the bill won’t come until you ask for it (usually), sometimes you still have to pay to pee ( not nearly like it used to be; you had to have a steady supply of the equivalent of 25 to 50 cents back in the day). As a white female I cannot attest to being stared at but people were very curious about my being a solo female traveler 30 years ago. It is nice to see more people of color and especially women traveling solo and vlogging about it.
Your video has a lot of good information!! Over thirty years ago, I made my final trip to Europe with an old friend. It was his first time and it was my seventh time. Once we landed, he kept asking me why do "they" do things this way or that way. My answer went something like this: when the door on the airplane closed, we left the USA. When it opened, we were in a different country with different customs, culture and ways of life. My friend never seemed to grasp the fact that Europe was NOT an extension of the USA. So I think you are doing a great service by pointing out the realities first time travellers should prepare for. And I believe you appreciate the differences and embrace them, which is what travel is really all about. I applaud your adventurous spirit and having the wisdom to travel when you are young. I was met with a great deal of criticism when I decided to travel as a young man. I'm glad I did so, because now travel would be difficult because of my age. The best of luck to you and enjoy minute of seeing the world!! Chuck
