So, you’ve always dreamt of travelling alone, of getting into your airport car rental and exploring a foreign country without anyone riding on your coattails or digging in their heels? You’d be surprised how many people share this sentiment. More and more people are choosing to trot the globe by themselves, rather than with an entourage.
Travelling alone has a whole bunch of undeniable benefits, including:
• Spending your time (and money) in any way you see fit;
• The opportunity to tailor your travel plans and destinations exclusively to your own wishes;
• Flexibility – if you change your plans at the last minute you won’t inconvenience anyone but yourself;
• Increased opportunity to make friends with the locals and learn about a new culture firsthand. People travelling in groups tend to cluster together, which can hamper interaction with new people.
Solo travel is not without its challenges though. Everything from loneliness to safety can quickly become an issue and when you are a women, doubly so. The fact of the matter is: no matter what feminist theories you may or may not support, women generally are at a higher risk when travelling alone. This is not to say that they should refrain from doing so, just that they should be extra careful, putting their safety first from the get go. The following tips should ensure a safe travelling experience.
Arrive while the sun is still out. Imagine the following: You arrive at Cape Town airport in the dead of night. You collect your baggage and then go to pick up your airport car hire from a reputable South African car rental agency, only to realise that you forgot to book accommodation in advance. What to do? Driving around a city you don’t know at night is not a great experience. Even the most lovely little town can seem daunting at night, which in turn can make people who are genuinely trying to help you appear threatening. When finalizing your travel plans, make sure your flight/train/bus arrives at your destination in daylight – this way you’ll be able to find your bearings before nightfall.
Make sure your accommodation is as safe as possible. There are hundreds of little ways to exercise caution when you are a woman staying over alone. You could for example, ask about a room close to the elevator so you won’t need to walk down long, possibly dark, hallways to reach your room. In foreign countries there are sometimes women’s only floors which are also a good idea. If you choose to stay in a backpackers in order to meet new people, be careful about drinking heavily. A few glasses of wine can lighten the mood, but do not endanger yourself by getting intoxicated with people you hardly know. Back home your friends will take care of you; this is not necessarily the case in a foreign country.
Dress the part. Sadly enough, in this era of “gender equality” women travelling alone are still at risk of unsolicited advances. The best way to combat this is to dress as conservatively as the women you see around you. Bare arms, knees and legs are considered brazen in some cultures, so it is best to do research on the cultural norms of a region before to your visit. Also look into body language. Depending on the country, seemingly innocent gestures such as eye contact, shaking hands, smiling, and small talk can be construed as advances. Learning this beforehand can ensure that you avoid socially awkward (and even dangerous) situations.
There are but a few of the things you can do to make sure you stay safe on your solo travels. The most important tip is to use your common sense and to listen to your intuition. If someone gives off a bad vibe, leave. If the taxi driver seems a bit dodgy, wait for another one. Furthermore, exude confidence at all times. For instance, do not walk around consulting a map – this will mark you as a gullible tourist and will most likely get you mugged. Also, keep in touch. Let your parents and a few select friends in on your travel plans and e-mail them every few days. It is always a good idea to have someone looking out for you.
That being said, the open road is calling. Why not spend your next break enjoying a solo road trip through sunny South Africa? With the exchange rate being what it is, you are sure to have a superb time on even the tiniest of budgets. Book a flight, secure a cheap airport car rental and off you go! There really is no time like the present.
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