It doesn’t take more than three minutes of scrolling Instagram to notice that #wanderlust is a full blown thing right now. It doesn’t take much longer than that to realize that wanderlust is an equal opportunity desire, with just as many—if not more—women wanting to see the world as men. But whether you’re a man or woman, safety while traveling solo should be a top priority.
While journeying on your own can be an amazing way to scratch that wanderlust itch without having to argue with anyone about the right metro route, traveling solo requires a little extra precaution to ensure an epic but safe adventure. Here are ten things solo wanderers can do to hedge their bets for happy travels.
1. Stalk your destination like a lion hunting an
antelope on the African savannah. Get to know your travel destination
thoroughly; understanding cultural differences, customs, social norms, gender
roles, and acceptable attire standards can be the difference between being
perceived as a welcomed visitor versus a clueless tourist.
2. Listen to your intuition. One of the best things about traveling alone is the ability to change plans on a whim. Sometimes that whim may mean that you wind up in a situation that feels sketchy or “off.” If you start feeling uncomfortable or on edge, stop, assess your options, and make a choice that feels better.
3. Go easy on the booze when
you’re out solo. Enjoying the local food and drink should be on any savvy
travelers to-do list, but always be sure to stay in a frame of mind where you
can easily find your way back to your host’s house and stay aware of your
surroundings. Making plans with locals that you trust (like your Couchsurfing
host, for example) is the perfect chance to let the bartender whip you up the
local specialty you can’t pronounce.
4. Get to know your host—and their Couchsurfing ratings—and
other people you’ll be meeting up with before you meet them. Safety is
paramount when traveling alone, so make sure to thoroughly read reviews about your hosts. It’s not rude to ask your
hosts questions about themselves or to cancel your plans if you start to feel
uncomfortable. For peace of mind, meet people in a public place before going
off the beaten path or to someone’s home.”
5. Treat anything valuable like you’d treat your phone. That is to
say, keep it on your person pretty much at all times. Losing something valuable in a
foreign place can put a damper on your trip real quick, and in some cases can derail
your itinerary altogether. Trust us, it’s no fun to spend days getting a new
passport at the Embassy. Think twice before packing anything you cherish, and
keep the valuables you can’t leave home without on your body whenever possible.
The good news? Fanny packs are totally back in style.
6. Check in regularly with someone who knows
your travel itinerary. Although one of the perks of solo travel is going off
the grid, it’s a good idea to schedule some regular check-ins with someone who
is expecting to hear from you and has a general idea of how to reach you. It’s
okay to turn off communications for a couple days while you get weird at the
local music festival, but going off the grid without warning should raise some
red flags. Assemble a #SafetyFirst itinerary before you depart and use it
wisely while you wander.
7. Walk with confidence and be aware of your
surroundings. Most crimes are crimes of opportunity, and nothing creates an
opportunity to be taken advantage of like being distracted by your music, your
phone, or your super hot bartender. Have a sense of who’s around you, who’s paying attention to you, and what the general mood of
your environment seems to be at all times. What’s going on around you is
probably more interesting than what’s going on in your phone anyway.
8. Always remember: The freaks come out at night. If you find yourself walking
home alone at night, choose the most populated
and/or well-lit route available, stay hyper-aware of your
surroundings, and consider holding your keys in your hand just in case you find
yourself in a situation where a makeshift weapon is necessary (or where the
appearance of one is a valuable deterrent).
9. Have a backup plan. Seasoned solo traveler and
blogger at The Blonde Abroad says, “My biggest tip is to make sure you keep the
address to your hotel somewhere on your person, in case you get lost, need
directions or need a taxi to bring you back.” We’d also recommend being aware of local emergency
numbers so you can access help quickly and easily if you need it.
The Boy Scouts may have coined the ‘Always Be Prepared’ motto, but solo women
travelers should use it as their own.
10. Take only what you need. Save the heavy
baggage for your therapist’s office. Traveling light is not only a lesson in
contentment and simplicity, but it means fewer things to keep track of and a
luggage load that you’re able to manage nimbly on your own, no matter how many
modes of transportation it takes to get to the next couch.
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar