How I Fought Off a Stalker in Dubrovnik, Croatia
I sat at the entrance to Dubrovnik’s Old Town, eating some vanilla ice cream to cope with the July heat. Blissfully watching tourists walk by, I could never have imagined the nightmare that would follow.
The afternoon sun was melting my ice cream so I hurried to finish it up. I was also eager to get started on my first planned activity: a tour of the city walls. It was only my second day in the medieval Croatian city, but I was already in love! Dubrovnik reminded me of those idyllic oil paintings of the Mediterranean. It seemed to be a perfect travel destination for a solo female traveler.
The Nightmare Begins
I was about to get up when a 50-something-year-old man approached me out of nowhere. He was dressed in khaki shorts, a Hawaiian shirt, and dark sun shades.
“Hey, what’s your name?” he asked
“Um, Sheila,” I lied. Well, Sheila’s actually myΒ middle name.
“I was looking at you and was wondering… Are you by yourself?”
“No, I’m waiting for some friends.”
That wasn’t entirely a lie either. I had coincidentally arrived in Dubrovnik at the same time as my Croatian-American friends from college, Cody and Clay. We had had dinner the night before, along with their friend Ting, and planned to meetΒ up again later in the day. For now, I was going to explore the city on my own.
“Oh, okay,” he continued in a broken accent, “While you wait I can take you out to lunch, get to know you a little better. I like dark-skinned girls. Very beautiful.”
“No, thank you,” I retorted, “I’m not interested.”
“Are you sure? I’ll take you to a fine restaurant. The best Croatian food. You’ll like it.” he insisted.
“No, I’m okay. Really.” I said, walking away.
I power walked through the gate into the Old Town, arriving at Dubrovnik’s Main Street, Stradun. Then I looked around to find the ticket vendor for the city wall tour.
Spotting the little shop, I went over and purchased my ticket. Then I came back towards the city gate to join the line for the tour. He was standing by the line, staring directly at me!
“Will you change your mind?” he asked
“No! I’m not interested! Leave me alone!” I replied, feeling agitated.
The other tourists began to stare so he reluctantly walked away as I joined the line for the tour. I tried my best to cool down, dismissing him as a nuisance.
I walked the city’s stone walls, following a path at the top of the structure. The elevation provided spectacular views of Dubrovnik’s orange-roofed buildings and the surrounding Mediterranean Sea.
It took me about 45 minutes to walk the entire wall. Then I climbed back down to Stradun and headed in the direction of my hostel. This time I was more vigilant, looking at my surroundings. He didn’t show up again so I breathed a sigh of relief.
I stopped for a quick bite and drinks at a beach bar nearby then headed back to my hostel to freshen up. After taking a quick nap, I met up with Cody and Clay for dinner. The rest of the evening was pure bliss – eating cevapi, having a laugh, and touring Game of Thrones filming locations.
The next day, my last full day in Dubrovnik, Β was also without problems. I met up with Cody, Clay, and Ting again, and we took a ferry to nearby Lokrum Island, where peacocks were roaming everywhere. Afterward, we went bar hopping in Lapad then took the Dubrovnik Cable Car up to the highest point in the city, taking in the sunset.
The Final Encounter
The next morning, it was time to say goodbye to Dubrovnik. I packed my bag and headed to catch the bus to the airport.
As I passed Pile Bay, a small boating dock close to my hostel, I spotted him. Again!
“Why you don’t give me chance? You think I’m going to do something bad to you? I’m a nice guy. I just want to treat you to lunch. That’s all.”
“Get away from me! Get out of here!” I was fuming.
“Are you going to the airport? I can give you a ride. Just give me chance. I’m really sad that you don’t give me chance. Do you think I’m a bad guy.”
Exasperated, I stormed off. I was leaving so now there was no need to argue anymore.
“Really? You won’t give me chance at all?” I heard him say from a distance.
Unamused, I kept walking.
Soon, I caught my bus, got to the airport, and caught my flight. As I flew to my next destination, Greece, I reflected on that encounter and wondered if I had handled it well. Was he a nuisance or a serious threat? Should I have gone to the police? What would I have told the police?
Although this experience was unsettling, it has not deterred me from solo travel. There are risks. However, the vast majority of people I’ve encountered have been more than pleasant. This was my first and only negative experience as a solo female traveler.
What would you have done if you were in my shoes? Have you experienced a similar mishap while traveling solo? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
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Somto Ugwueze
Hi! I'm Somto. Two years ago, I stopped making excuses, ditched my indecisive friends, and started booking flights. Today, I'm a full-time solo traveler on a mission to inspire young women to seek new adventures.
![Letβs talk about money in Croatia ππ· (and the Balkans)
π[Save and Share]
β οΈ Quick tip: Donβt exchange money or take out money from any place that has a big, yellow sign
On my most recent trip to Croatia with @girlslovetravel, I learned that from the locals and other seasoned travelers.
I wanted to pass along the message to help you guys avoid falling for this trap, because I saw so many people getting ripped off.
If youβre traveling through Europe, especially in the Mediterranean, the Balkans, and Eastern Europe, youβre going to see these super-convenient money exchanges and ATMS.
With their big, yellow signs, these are hard to miss.
And theyβre so seductive because theyβre always conveniently located.
But donβt do it.
These places are known to have the worst exchange rates and sometimes hidden fees.
Youβll end up getting significantly less money than other comparable money exchanges.
The ATMS could charge you all sorts of ridiculous fees, which happened to one of my travel friends.
If you walk away from the touristy city centers, you can find places with better exchange rates.
Do your research.
Compare places, especially if you want to exchange a chunk of money.
Donβt go to the first place you see because itβs convenient.
Any other tips for exchanging money in Europe? Drop them belowππΎ](https://scontent-dfw5-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.29350-15/363495583_681336997355409_8269653626385180880_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c4dd86&_nc_ohc=_vy0qj-WxFoAX-mjbwg&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&oh=00_AfAPqz89qBOUgOh00AfVwwwiMtUalPvCK3LjBZqNY1ZuAQ&oe=657A6126)
![Letβs talk about money in Croatia ππ· (and the Balkans)
π[Save and Share]
β οΈ Quick tip: Donβt exchange money or take out money from any place that has a big, yellow sign
On my most recent trip to Croatia with @girlslovetravel, I learned that from the locals and other seasoned travelers.
I wanted to pass along the message to help you guys avoid falling for this trap, because I saw so many people getting ripped off.
If youβre traveling through Europe, especially in the Mediterranean, the Balkans, and Eastern Europe, youβre going to see these super-convenient money exchanges and ATMS.
With their big, yellow signs, these are hard to miss.
And theyβre so seductive because theyβre always conveniently located.
But donβt do it.
These places are known to have the worst exchange rates and sometimes hidden fees.
Youβll end up getting significantly less money than other comparable money exchanges.
The ATMS could charge you all sorts of ridiculous fees, which happened to one of my travel friends.
If you walk away from the touristy city centers, you can find places with better exchange rates.
Do your research.
Compare places, especially if you want to exchange a chunk of money.
Donβt go to the first place you see because itβs convenient.
Any other tips for exchanging money in Europe? Drop them belowππΎ](https://scontent-dfw5-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.29350-15/363496891_3960588657501192_2279069811238681499_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c4dd86&_nc_ohc=LtJTETr6UhgAX99KV_j&_nc_oc=AQmAmH8fEtUCrcX0JC3ab3nmi5MRB4e2Ji-S98sk2ENU8ZKpshumpTsxh4N_r9N8gx8&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&oh=00_AfBLHqP4rlViQp28OGkZfCUrWhgAEJg_pGXIiiilHsTNeQ&oe=657922C5)
![Letβs talk about money in Croatia ππ· (and the Balkans)
π[Save and Share]
β οΈ Quick tip: Donβt exchange money or take out money from any place that has a big, yellow sign
On my most recent trip to Croatia with @girlslovetravel, I learned that from the locals and other seasoned travelers.
I wanted to pass along the message to help you guys avoid falling for this trap, because I saw so many people getting ripped off.
If youβre traveling through Europe, especially in the Mediterranean, the Balkans, and Eastern Europe, youβre going to see these super-convenient money exchanges and ATMS.
With their big, yellow signs, these are hard to miss.
And theyβre so seductive because theyβre always conveniently located.
But donβt do it.
These places are known to have the worst exchange rates and sometimes hidden fees.
Youβll end up getting significantly less money than other comparable money exchanges.
The ATMS could charge you all sorts of ridiculous fees, which happened to one of my travel friends.
If you walk away from the touristy city centers, you can find places with better exchange rates.
Do your research.
Compare places, especially if you want to exchange a chunk of money.
Donβt go to the first place you see because itβs convenient.
Any other tips for exchanging money in Europe? Drop them belowππΎ](https://scontent-dfw5-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.29350-15/364071653_816389820137326_3597345990832080157_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c4dd86&_nc_ohc=MYF5J3kz_SAAX8LrCKa&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&oh=00_AfAyBMpI95aIAIlzLZ-1w4-QTfs64lpl2_uEMGTDvZljQA&oe=6578CBC2)
![Letβs talk about money in Croatia ππ· (and the Balkans)
π[Save and Share]
β οΈ Quick tip: Donβt exchange money or take out money from any place that has a big, yellow sign
On my most recent trip to Croatia with @girlslovetravel, I learned that from the locals and other seasoned travelers.
I wanted to pass along the message to help you guys avoid falling for this trap, because I saw so many people getting ripped off.
If youβre traveling through Europe, especially in the Mediterranean, the Balkans, and Eastern Europe, youβre going to see these super-convenient money exchanges and ATMS.
With their big, yellow signs, these are hard to miss.
And theyβre so seductive because theyβre always conveniently located.
But donβt do it.
These places are known to have the worst exchange rates and sometimes hidden fees.
Youβll end up getting significantly less money than other comparable money exchanges.
The ATMS could charge you all sorts of ridiculous fees, which happened to one of my travel friends.
If you walk away from the touristy city centers, you can find places with better exchange rates.
Do your research.
Compare places, especially if you want to exchange a chunk of money.
Donβt go to the first place you see because itβs convenient.
Any other tips for exchanging money in Europe? Drop them belowππΎ](https://www.somtoseeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/363495583_681336997355409_8269653626385180880_n-256x320.jpg)
Oh my god, such a awful experience !!! I think that in your shoes I would have done the same! Kisses ?
Thank you so much for your comment, Emanuela! It all worked out in the end though. I still really enjoyed my trip. Would definitely go back!
WHAT IN THE WORLD! Somto, I think you handled it well. I don’t think the police would have been able to help but I am so glad you had friends around! That’s a terrifying sitution and if I was in your shoes, I would probably have pepper sprayed his eyes out. He sounds super dangerous!
Hi Nathalie! It was a such a bizarre experience. I didn’t see that coming at all! You’re right, I don’t think the police would have been helpful in this case. I mean, what could they have actually done to help me? Haha I need to start carrying pepper spray with me when I travel solo.
So sorry this happened to you. Glad you were able to enjoy the rest of your trip. Unfortunately we always have to keep in mind things like this can happen.
Thank you so much! Yeah, it’s important to watch out for the creepers when traveling.
Ugh that sounds awful. I’ve encountered that type of man before. The most frustrating part about it is there is no “right” answer about what to do. You can’t predict how they’ll react or what the best path is, but I think you handled it well. Sorry to hear you had to go through that, yuck!
Thanks! You’re right, it’s hard to know how too react in the moment . At least now I’ll be better prepared if I encounter a man like that again.
This is crazy! I spent a couple of weeks in Dubrovnik Croatia this past May and the EXACT SAME TIME happened to me! The old man would not take no for an answer and I literally had to run away from him. Thankfully, I was with a friend at the time so I felt somewhat safe and we ended up laughing about it later on. However, I avoided the side of the walls that the encounter happened for the remainder of my trip for fear of running into him again. Maybe it was the same guy… lol
Hi Shedly,
Wow, that’s so weird. I guess this guy could be a serial stalker preying on black women. Oh lord, what a nut case! Good thing you were with a friend at the time lol