What is a GRRRL TRAVELER?
About a year ago, while on a backpacking tour through India and Nepal, I was abruptly separated from my friends and had to forego most of the rest of my travels alone. While I am absolutely in love with India, anyone who has been there knows that traveling it for the first time, can feel challenging, overwhelming, sometimes extreme. As a solo female traveling a developing country, such as India, for the first time, the degree of difficulty felt…well, HIGH!
Thrown into a crazy and dizzying world both, beautiful and ugly, I made my way through the chaos of touts and scam artists, abject poverty, heat, pollution and haggling tuk-tuk drivers which left me stranded in the middle nowhere… There were moments I felt uncertain, vulnerable and at times, “a little chicken” of a Hawaii girl.
The GRRR!
The only thing I knew I’d never do- give up and book the earliest ticket out! Instead, I did the only thing I knew- dug my claws in and pulled from every self-survival trick in my pocket that could flip my rupee over into positive change. I worked my humor, wit, vulnerability, quirky personality traits, “brave” bluffs and all I considered to be my worst NYC attributes! In emergency situations, I accessed my Mac Gyver of ridiculous, but resourcefully-sound solutions. Together, they created a courage to lean on and helped change what could have been the worst trip in my life, into the best!
Returning home, I realized what had gotten me through- it was my GRRR!
Having GRRR! is not about “having or finding bravery and courage”, though there is a warrior aspect to it. GRRR! is utilizing all the self-survival tricks within us -vulnerability included- to overcome trying situations in the best way we know and sometimes, flawedly. Every woman has a GRRR! in them to create opportunities for positive change and carry out their dreams. Whether traveling thousands of miles overseas or just one mile outside of the house, GRRR! is always accessible. Living by this GRRR! as a traveler is what I hope to continue discovering, exploring and sharing.
The GRRRL TRAVELER challenges:
Aside from travel journaling about my travels or adventures, I love traveling abroad and want to make it a lifestyle. So I’ve initiated some fun GRRRL TRAVELER challenges for myself (I’m open to taking potential suggestions from my friends/readers). These are steps I’m exploring so I can fulfill my dream of continually embracing new cultures and travel lifestyles. Some challenges are fairly large goals- i.e. learning to become a solo traveler of developing countries- so my objective isn’t about completing it ASAP and scratching it off like a destination checklist. Traveling is an on-going process of discovering wonder and empowerment and recording its journey.
Safe Travel Wings to All!
Until,
Christine
Hey there, I just wanted to stop by and say I love the concept of “GRRR”!
Thanks Unstoppable. You sound like a GRRR! travel sister too weathering malaria ridden trips & Bolivian hostels! There’s an imperfect & uncourageous traveler in us all. It’s interesting to me, how qualities such as “confidence and fearlessness” are often inspired thru trial & error, accident/mistake, horribly (but funny) unraveling & stumblings, etc… Hope you continue to drop by and share some of your story.
I love the name of this site! Sort of remindes of the frosties advert (not sure if it was ever shown outside the UK)
Very inspiring story! I want to go to India at somepoint. Can’t wait to hit the road again!
All I can say is “agree” and “agree.” Keep on keepin on!
Thanks Runaway! Your site name was pretty eye-catching for me too and I like how the nickname I’m giving you sounds like i’m talking to a jailbreak sister! Love your story too- I love impulsive leaps like yours! Are you choosing your next destination by your top 5 travel films list?