No matter how many hours you spend scouring blogs and Googling statistics, there’s no way of knowing exactly what your experience will be like in a different country until you arrive. The language barrier might be more challenging than anticipated; you may be surprised by the way drivers treat pedestrians, and the weather could catch you entirely off guard.
For the most part, these surprises won’t ruin your travel experience. In some cases, they might even enhance the journey! But occasionally, tourists end up in places that they never want to set foot in again.
Globetrotters on Reddit have been recalling the most depressing cities they’ve ever visited, so we’ve gathered some of their shocking stories below. While it’s unlikely that these destinations were at the top of your travel list, you might want to remove them completely after finding out what's in store for those who visit.
#41
I travel a LOT for work, and often work in [worst] parts of town. I have seen some bad places everyone knows. East St. Louis, Camden, Detroit, New Orleans, Oakland. Many places.
The weirdest one was Youngstown, OH. I had a job downtown at their new library. As I drove in I saw two houses being resided. They were log houses. Like literally log houses being resided. And there was literally no one downtown. I thought I might be in an apocalypse movie. Not one person, not one car. A bunch of buildings with no employees. Literally no one for blocks and blocks. Wild.
The weirdest one was Youngstown, OH. I had a job downtown at their new library. As I drove in I saw two houses being resided. They were log houses. Like literally log houses being resided. And there was literally no one downtown. I thought I might be in an apocalypse movie. Not one person, not one car. A bunch of buildings with no employees. Literally no one for blocks and blocks. Wild.
15points
#42
Flint, Michigan.
My door got in and said he'd stab me if I didn't give up the car. I got out reluctantly because I was on the return trip of a cross country trip so my whole life was in that car (I lived in it at the time by choice).
Tethala:
Luckily he didn't know how to drive a manual. The dude stalled it and bystanders stepped up to help me get the guy out my car. They told me to just GTHO and not look back and that's exactly what I did. I got to Illinois and stopped there for the night.
My door got in and said he'd stab me if I didn't give up the car. I got out reluctantly because I was on the return trip of a cross country trip so my whole life was in that car (I lived in it at the time by choice).
Tethala:
Luckily he didn't know how to drive a manual. The dude stalled it and bystanders stepped up to help me get the guy out my car. They told me to just GTHO and not look back and that's exactly what I did. I got to Illinois and stopped there for the night.
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14points
#44
Gallup, New Mexico.
Never go there. Trust me. If you’re on a cross country road trip, do not stop there. Just keep going to the next closest city. I’ll never forget that place. A good story to have in the record book though.
Never go there. Trust me. If you’re on a cross country road trip, do not stop there. Just keep going to the next closest city. I’ll never forget that place. A good story to have in the record book though.
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13points
#47
Blackpool, England.
Whilst driving through i got my windshield smashed by a 10 year old hoodie.
Whilst driving through i got my windshield smashed by a 10 year old hoodie.
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12points
#48
Someone stole the catalytic converter off of my moving truck in Amarillo during the ice storm of 2021. It took the rental company 3 days to bring a new truck and transfer my belongings. It was dark when they finished so I opted to leave the next morning when the roads would be safer instead of starting off at 9 pm. The bastards returned for a second catalytic converter before I could leave. All told I was stranded 9 days in that hotel. So for me the answer is Amarillo, Texas.
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11points
#50
Los Angeles, CA.
Superficial and fake. It's not about who *you* are, or what *you can do*, but how many names you can drop in a conversation. Even the janitors brag about whose toilets they've cleaned.
Superficial and fake. It's not about who *you* are, or what *you can do*, but how many names you can drop in a conversation. Even the janitors brag about whose toilets they've cleaned.
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9points