I have a secret that I am ashamed to share, but I feel like I have to.
I hear the terrible news about female travelers getting murdered, beaten or raped abroad. Their names are seared into my memory. I think, and others vocalize, “How did they get themselves into that situation?” As if it is their fault. As if they purposefully put themselves into a situation to end up in the headlines and leave their families at a loss.
I’ve made some mistakes in the past as a solo traveler.
I take on a “travel personality” and become much more carefree. I’ve gone off with foreigners I just met. I’ve drank too much when I was traveling alone. I’ve wandered aimlessly in neighborhoods I wouldn’t attempt back home. I haven’t done enough research about the places I was staying. I’ve argued with con men.
I tell myself I’m being bold and adventurous when I’m really being reckless and stupid. While I hypocritically dole out solo travel advice, I ignore my inner wisdom. I ignore the voice of my mother, saying “Be careful.” Sometimes I think I’m just asking for something bad to happen to me. But I’d like to change that now.
I promise to no longer put myself in unnecessary danger. I promise not to attempt anything I wouldn’t do back home. I promise to keep my promises to my family. I promise to set an example for other female travelers.
Have you ever been unnecessarily reckless when you travel alone?
Related Reading
- Dear Dad: Please Don’t Worry (A Treatise on Solo Female Travel), A Dangerous Business
- Travel Safety is Not a Gendered Issue, Matador Network
Note: There are hundreds of good solo travel-related posts in wake of the Sarai Sierra case, so look up the #WeGoSolo Facebook page and Twitter hashtag for more. If you’re considering solo travel, I highly recommend Stephanie Lee’s guide to solo travel.
Funny enough, I am the complete opposite when I travel. I don’t know if I blame my shield on growing up in LA and hearing horror stories about the dangers of New York City, but I am more aware when I travel overseas. I drink less. I party less. Everyone is a potential danger. I know I probably miss out, but those are the choices I make.
Please be smart and safe!
I grew up with my grandma living in the same house and she was a keen traveler. She always told me how to travel sensibly, how to hold on to your bag etc. I think it is because of her that I naturally act sensibly. I always hold on to my bag for example in addition to it being hung around my chest rather than just my shoulders. This served me well a few months ago when a kid on a moto in Cambodia tried to snatch my bag off me. He got the strap, but I still had the body of my handbag in my hands. That actually caused him to almost fall off his bike, but before I realized what happened he was going off again.
I’ve definitely done some wreckless things that I, at the time, deemed “brave” or “daring.” Sometimes I feel like I need to prove myself when I’m traveling alone. I think it’s important to remember that we need to be equally vigilant when we’re living at home, especially in our two cities, because as much can go wrong there as it can abroad.