I have been traveling alone since I was 19. I love it.
I feel it’s the best way to actually see and experience where you
are. That being said, being a solo
female traveler can be risky and tricky.
I’d like to share a few tips that I’ve learned over the years:
1)
Carry a roll of toilet paper. Because drip drying is the worst.
2)
Bring a fake wedding ring. This is a really god trick to avoid unnecessary
attention. I usually just switch over my
thumb ring I always wear.
3)
Be compact and sensible. Don’t carry a big sloppy purse. Carry a little messenger bag that latches, an
organized wallet, a watch, minimal jewelry, shoes you can run in, hair pulled
out of your face.
4)
Always wear a scarf. The perfect lady companion. To cover your head if in a mosque, to cough
into, to dry your hands, to cover your boobies, to crumple up into a pillow.
5)
Don’t give away money. The kids are cute. And they have no arms. And that’s sad. But don’t give away money. The act of taking out your wallet in public
is always a bad idea. Even if the kids
are harmless, look at the periphery, they are often being watched and so are
you.
6)
If you are taking public transportation and you
are in a car with only men, get out and switch transportation.
7)
Don’t hook up when you’re traveling. You don’t want to be in that kind of
vulnerable position and you don’t know what kind of creepy crawlies he/she has.
Thas nasty.
8)
Protect yourself physically. Mace, alarm, self-defense. Personally I’m afraid to carry mace or a
knife because knowing me I’d fuck it up and spray myself. But I do carry a rape alarm with me at all
times and in my hands when in a scary situation and I plan on taking a self
defense course.
9)
Don’t drink past tipsy, don’t do any drugs. Watch your drinks and always have enough cash
for a lengthy cab ride home.
10)
Ask for help.
It’s ok to rely on the kindness of strangers. I think it’s inevitable. But don’t be simpering. Power stance, clear voice, directive. Always be gracious.
11)
Don’t pack a bag too big for you to carry. Even if that means you have to buff up a bit
for travel. I have actually done this
for this reason.
12)
Mosquito repellent, wet wipes, sunscreen, fluconazole.
13)
Always let someone know where you are at all
times. Email your itinerary, give
numbers of your friends. I called my
parents before following a new friend into the red light district in
Bangkok. They had his phone number,
place of work, and his medical history.
14)
It’s ok to be pushy. Don’t be worried about people perceiving you
as a bitch. Fuck them. It’s ok to speak up and push back for what you
want, especially if you feel uncomfortable.
Don’t let anyone make you feel guilty for putting them out. Guilt is a wasted emotion and often acts as
permission for unwanted situations.
15)
It’s ok to be nice. Be friendly, be polite, be kind, make
friends. Just because you’re cautious
doesn’t mean you have to be cut off.
That being said, men, just because woman is nice to you doesn’t mean she
wants to sleep with you/give you a green card.
Doesn’t mean you can follow her and doesn’t mean she owes you a phone
number/email/Facebook.
Enjoy. Write. Take pictures.
Try everything. Open your eyes,
mind and heart. You’re going to end up taking shelter in a hut with five men,
one armed with a rifle, no cell reception, in the middle of nowhere. This is not a controlled environment. It’s probably the farthest thing from
it. This is the adventure. This is living. Scary shit happens, gender based and
otherwise, so protect yourself where you can.
And then just wing it. It also helps
to have a family who would cross the world to cut someone for messing with
you.
I’d rather be out here than in there, wouldn’t you?
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