When I was 21 I took off to stay with some Australians I had met on the internet. I had been communicating with them for over two year, first in chat rooms and intermittently via phone and post, and had absolutely no question about each of their characters. However, I did understand the fear my family felt at something so unfamiliar to them, and for their sakes set up certain safeguard, "comforts", like pre-determined phone calls; the names, numbers and addresses of everyone I was visiting; a pre-determined word I would use if I was in trouble, etc. They didn't make me do this, I just didn't want them to worry the whole time I was over.

In the end all was well, just as I expected, and I am returning for another visit at the end of the month :)

Dagmar