There’s been headlines in the news about women encountering danger abroad. In Delhi last December, a nation was awakened when a local physiognamy intern accidentally boarded a private bus with a friend and was raped by six men. Even more recently, the body of 33-year old Sarai Sierra was found in Turkey after she had gone missing for two weeks.
It’s made the public and media becry – Is it safe for women to travel alone?
Well, I did it!
I went on my last-minute travel break and I survived it.
It was heaven.
… And stress.
I’ll admit, there are times being a solo traveler at night can feel like… well, a single gal alone on a Friday night!
All the world is aglow with friends and drunken laughter. Meanwhile, you’re either standing outside in the cold envying the social fun indoors or in your guesthouse painting your toenails the color of ‘wishful thinking’! Times like this, it’s hard not to occasionally feel… lame.
Well, nuh-uh. It doesn’t have to be this way.
Sometimes as a solo traveler, I resent having to make decisions for myself.
With endless options of things to do and places to see, there’s no one to bounce your ideas off of and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed with having to choose. Take day trips, for instance.
Travel friends have been curious how I budgeted for my several months on the road and how much I spent on India and Southeast Asia. Okay, let’s start with the general topic of budgeting.
When I started out, the idea that I’d be traveling long-term didn’t click in. I actually thought I’d be on the road for a much shorter period. So, I got a crash course.
What does the idea of “a solo woman traveling in India” surface for you?
When I met Chiaki, we were both, waiting for the local bus to our yoga ashram. A Japanese waif of gentle yogic smiles, she challenged my notions about what it is to be a solo female traveler in India. Chiaki didn’t boast the extensive list of a world traveler nor was she avoiding the challenges of navigating the local terrain in the way a native would; yet, she was tackling India solo doing it in calm stride.
How the hell was she doing it?
All artists have a vision of their creation before putting chisel to stone or paintbrush to canvas. At times, the vision is complete; other times, it’s a vague vision with a powerful calling to step into your dream and trust.
Rounding up 2010
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step”
- Lao Tzu
How I planned my Trip Route for my First Solo Adventure
Making an itinerary for solo travel
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