Women Traveling Alone - Daunting but Doable

Women traveling alone - daunting but doable

ANDREA STUNZ

When I mention to people that I traveled from Singapore to Australia alone for my birthday one year, they often gasp with wonder and amazement. Then, the look of “Could I ever do

that? Would I ever WANT to do that??” washes over their face. And my answer is always, “YES! Yes, you could! And you should!”

It’s a sad truth in the world we live in that, as women, we need to be on guard. We shouldalways be careful, but we do ourselves a huge disservice when we abandon the possibilityof adventure because of fear.

As I write this article, I have made my way from Texas to Hong Kong — alone. I’ve planned,I’ve packed, and I am really enjoying my adventure. The following travel tips are ones Ipractice and think you’ll find helpful.

Arrive in the daytime.

Plan flights to arrive in daylight. Trying to navigate a new city in the dark is challenging and often unsafe. If you can’t arrange a daylight arrival, arrange for a hotel shuttle or a private chauffeur service to meet you when you arrive. Likewise, if you will be out and about at night, know your route and the safest mode of transportation to get you back to where you’re staying.

Pack light.

What you take you'll have to haul! Don’t take more than you can handle alone. Take only what you need. Limit your “just in cases” to only a few — or none. All those “just in cases” add up. If you really need something, you can buy it or find a substitute.

Have a safety plan.

Of course, there are serendipitous moments on any trip worthy of appreciation, but not having a general plan is a dangerous way to travel. It can set you up for being in all manner of situations you could have avoided. Research safety issues for the area(s) where you are traveling.

A few things you can do to stay safe are:

• Plan your daily adventures. Make reservations. Book tours. Being in a new place alone might leave you feeling paralyzed with options. You’ll end up missing out on something awesome or, worse, wandering to places you should have avoided.

• Never let anyone take your phone to take a picture of you. Unless you know you can run faster, it’s not worth it.

• Remember that you’re a guest in their “home.” It’s easy to become too comfortable with the ways of our own culture and forget that things are done differently in other places.

• Stay away from “ducks.” As the old saying goes, “If it quacks like a duck, it must be a duck.” Another old saying, “listen to your gut,” can be a valuable tool when traveling alone. Always be aware of your surroundings and belongings.

• Know how to look for hotel room cameras. Turn outthe lights and look for small lights around the roomand inside vents. Hang a towel over anything you thinkmight be a camera. Take a small screwdriver with youso you can look inside any vents that seemquestionable. Purchase a hidden camera detector toscan the room. If cameras are located, contact hotelpersonnel, and have them removed.

• Know when NOT to look for hidden surveillancecameras. Certain countries, like China and Russia, willbrand a traveler as hostile if camera detectors are foundamong their belongings. They may also not appreciatethe covering or dismantling of cameras. When travelingto specific locations, just know you’re going to bewatched, and simply behave while enjoying your stay.

• Always carry your passport and importantdocuments on your person when traveling. Keep a copyof your passport safely tucked away separately. In theevent your passport is stolen, a copy will make thereplacement process more manageable. Keep cashand credit cards in separate places. In the unfortunateevent that everything gets stolen, if you have yourpassport and a credit card, you will be okay!

• Never offer strangers more information than isabsolutely necessary. It’s fun to chat with other travelersor locals, but divulging too many details about yourselfor your excursions could land you in discomfort. Befriendly but not overly so.

Traveling alone might seem daunting, but it’s mostdefinitely doable. I encourage you to muster the moxieand go! There are so many amazing things to see, foodsto eat. Adventures await.

ANDREA STUNZ

Andrea Stunz is a welltraveled Texan currently living near San Antonio, having previously lived inBrazil, Asia, and the U.K. She finds joy in her family, grace in her

friends, beauty in a story, purpose in the sunrise, wonder in her travels, and hope in Colossians 1:17. Find Andrea atAndreaStunz.com.