The GRRR Story

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.

GRRRL TRAVELER challenges:

Aside from penning my travel adventures, I want to make travel a lifestyle; thus, I’ve  initiated some fun GRRRL TRAVELER challenges for myself to keep my goal in check. These are steps I’m exploring so I can fulfill my dream of continually embracing new cultures and travel lifestyles.

Disclaimer: This is a travel blog. The contents on this website are based upon my opinions and observations of people, places and events that I experience in my journey.  This wouldn’t constitute me as an expert to a country or culture. The best advice I can offer is to go and experience a country on your own, as everyone’s experience is different.

Safe Travel Wings to All!

Christine

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Based on a work at www.grrrltraveler.com.