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10 tips for solo female travellers
Opinion: How to safely explore this crazy planet!
- Be cautious, not paranoid. A lot of women seem to err on either side of this. There’s many a chick you’ll meet on your rambles who won’t talk to anyone of the opposite sex, locals and fellow travellers alike. Then there are others that are so relaxed they are particularly horizontal. So trust your judgement. Don’t talk to anyone that you wouldn’t normally. Don’t be afraid to ask someone for help if you’re freaked that you can’t find your hostel; just don’t hop on the back of their motorbike at 4am without telling anyone.
- Be prepared. Do some research before you leave. Find out what to expect with regards to the water, personal safety and hygiene. Bring lady products and EXTRA PANTS (if you’re off long term to Asia). For most tropical countries, you’ll feel like you’re carrying a chemist around on your back. It’s annoying, but it’s definitely worth it.
- Keep it in the pocket. Don’t get hammered drunk, don’t get off your biscuit on drugs and don’t get into a vehicle with ANYONE if you happen to be in this condition. We all drop the ball occasionally, but know your limits and aim below them. It seems like common sense, but few people go on travels to be sensible.
- Learn a skill. Try and do the things you wouldn’t have time to practice at home, or were too shy to try. Bring your guitar, learn to surf, bring back a new hobby or skill, or at least a savage party trick. It’s also a fantastic way to meet people. No self respecting guitarist can watch a lonesome traveller batter out Bob Marley for long before they have to intervene.
- Charm the locals. Learn some slang or customs. Everyone is delighted to hear someone try their language (except the French). Or you could try to impress them with your knowledge of the local culture. As a matter of sheer manners, you should always learn the word for “Cheers”.
- Do something scary. I don’t mean trust the dodgy bungee cord and go for it. Be sensible. I mean talk to the interesting looking person on the train, paraglide, climb a mountain or eat something bizarre. Challenge yourself.
- Keep in touch. It saves there being an international search party and major embarrassment. It’s also saves the people who love you from stress induced insanity.
- Be respectful. This counts double for Asia. If the women wear headscarves, wear a headscarf. If it’s 32 degrees and you’re expected to wear full sleeves and trousers, just do it. Life is easier for you if you do. If you feel that you’re being harassed, make it obvious. Shout, hiss and brandish your left shoe. Draw the attention of others. If the locals won’t stand for it, why should you?
- Don’t be afraid to go home. If it’s week two and you can’t think of anything you’d rather do than miss a bus, walk home in the rain and watch The Late Late while eating microwave chips, then you need to go home. Travel is something that everyone does, but not everyone enjoys. Don’t force yourself. There’ll be other countries.
- Have an amazing time. Whether it means spending five months on the beach or months getting lost in Siberia; let it be YOUR TRIP. Do what you want and don’t go somewhere just because everyone says it’s awesome; go where you want. You’ll be happy you did. It’s worse going somewhere awful on someone else’s recommendation than going on your own curiosity. And don’t forget; there’ll be days where you’d love nothing more than to have tea with a mate and watch a film. But there’ll also be days when can’t think of anything you’d rather be doing than meeting like-minded people and exploring this crazy planet.
By: Katie O’ Mahony
Further Information:
www.spunout.ie/health/Travel/Emigration-check_list
www.spunout.ie/health/Travel/Travel-health/Travel-health
www.spunout.ie/health/Travel/Travel-health/Travelling-and-sexual-health
